1926-D VAM-1A

Description

Discovered by Eric Justice in May 2001, the 1926-D Peace Dollar VAM-1A documents a small diagonal die break on the reverse, running from the rim above the letter U in UNITED down to the top left of the U. This reverse die crack follows a characteristic diagonal path from the rim into the letterform, indicating stress concentration where the incuse letter U created a natural weak point in the die face. Die breaks at letters near the rim are common because the combination of thin die metal at the edge and the stress-concentrating geometry of incuse letter shapes promotes crack initiation. Classified as die pair II1-B2a with rarity R-6 (estimated 13 to 30 specimens known) and an interest rating of I-2, this variety is scarce enough to require dedicated searching among 1926-D Peace Dollars. The 1926-D Denver Mint issue had a relatively low mintage of 2,348,700, making it one of the lower-production dates in the Peace Dollar series and a coin that already commands collector attention regardless of variety status. Anthony de Francisci designed both sides, with the reverse eagle perched on a rock inscribed PEACE above sunburst rays. Struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams. Examine the reverse above and into the letter U of UNITED for the small diagonal die break descending from the rim.

External References