1926-S VAM-1E

Description

Among the numerous 1926-S Peace dollar sub-varieties cataloged with letter suffixes, VAM-1E occupies an early position in the alphabetical sequence, indicating it was identified relatively early in the die variety research for this date. San Francisco produced 6.98 million Peace dollars in 1926, a moderate mintage that positions the date between the common high-volume issues and the genuinely scarce later dates in the series. Anthony de Francisci's design — featuring Liberty wearing a radiant crown on the obverse and a perched eagle on a rocky crag with the word PEACE on the reverse — had been in reduced-relief production since 1922, and by 1926 the die manufacturing process was well refined. VAM-1E shares the VAM-1 primary die marriage designation, with the E suffix identifying a specific die characteristic that distinguishes this coin from the standard VAM-1 and from other lettered sub-varieties in the family. Collectors attributing 1926-S Peace dollars should examine both sides systematically — the obverse LIBERTY inscription, the IN GOD WE TRUST motto, the tiara and hair detail, and the date numerals, along with the reverse eagle, rays, and PEACE inscription — for die scratches, polishing lines, chips, gouges, or other anomalies that match the diagnostic profile for each specific VAM designation. The San Francisco Mint's S mintmark below the eagle on the reverse provides an additional attribution zone, as mintmark position and shape can vary between different reverse dies used throughout the production run.

External References