1926-P VAM-1D

Description

Within the VAM-1 family for the 1926 Philadelphia Peace dollar, VAM-1D "Die Break Below UNUM" documents a vertical die crack between the rays below the inscription UNUM on the reverse, with a die break developing below the letter M on Anthony de Francisci's design. Cataloged as 1D II 1 - B2a (Die Break Below UNUM) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-7 (estimated 5-12 known), this variety sits in the very rare tier where confirmed specimens are exceptionally difficult to locate. Philadelphia struck approximately 1.94 million Peace dollars in 1926, one of the lowest mintages in the entire series and a date that commands substantial premiums in all grades due to its relative scarcity. The R-7 rarity combined with the already low mintage makes VAM-1D among the most challenging Peace dollar sub-varieties to acquire. The vertical die crack running between rays below UNUM represents structural failure in the die steel, where the stress of repeated striking caused a fracture to propagate through the die surface in the area between the radial sunburst rays. The break below M — where the crack has progressed from a simple hairline fracture into a displaced break — indicates the die had advanced significantly toward failure at the point where the affected coins were struck. Die breaks on Peace dollar reverses are less commonly documented than obverse varieties, as the reverse's lower relief and simpler field areas can make cracks less visually prominent. The Reverse B2a classification places this within the standard reverse die type, meaning the die break is the sole distinguishing characteristic. Collectors fortunate enough to examine 1926-P Peace dollars should inspect the area below UNUM on the reverse under magnification, looking for the vertical crack line between rays and the displaced metal at the break point below M.

External References