1926-P VAM-1B

Description

Laurence Galbraith's July 2005 discovery of the 1926-P VAM-1B revealed a Peace Dollar with a distinctive reverse die anomaly — a shortened ray on the eagle's left wing. Classified as II 1 - B2a under the VAM system and titled "Shortened Reverse Ray," this variety shows heavy die file lines at the top of the reverse, with the second ray from the top of the eagle's left wing noticeably shortened compared to its normal length. The shortened ray likely resulted from aggressive die polishing or lapping that removed surface metal from the die face, reducing the depth of the ray's incuse recess in the die and consequently shortening the raised ray on the struck coin. The heavy die file lines visible at the top reverse confirm that extensive maintenance was performed on this die, probably to extend its working life by removing clash marks or early deterioration. With an impact rating of I-2 and a rarity of R-5, the estimated surviving population falls between 131 and 300 specimens. A historical note in the VAM registry records that this variety was formerly designated VAM-1E before being reclassified as VAM-1B — a renumbering that reflects the ongoing editorial maintenance of the VAM catalog as discoveries accumulate and attributions are refined. Philadelphia struck 1,939,000 Peace Dollars in 1926, a low mintage that already makes the date somewhat scarce in the series, and the R-5 rarity of the VAM-1B further limits the available population for variety collectors. Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar design, with its radiant Liberty portrait and perched eagle reverse, was in its sixth year of production when this die was prepared, and the shortened ray provides a vivid example of how die maintenance could inadvertently alter design elements in ways that now delight collectors.

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