1926-S VAM-1H

Description

Originally discovered by Bill Van Note in January 2006 and subsequently revised in 2014 by D. Close, VAM-1H on the 1926-S Peace Dollar carries the updated designation II 1 with reverse B2a and the title "Die File Lines Obverse." The defining characteristic is heavy die file lines covering all fields of the obverse — a pervasive pattern of linear marks left by intentional die surface preparation where file strokes crossed the entire die face rather than being confined to specific areas. An important diagnostic distinction separates VAM-1H from the related VAM-1C: while both varieties show die file lines, VAM-1H exhibits lines across all fields whereas VAM-1C shows a more limited distribution that does not cover all field areas, making the extent of field coverage the primary differentiator between the two varieties. The reverse B2a die is shared across a family of related VAMs — the same reverse die appears on VAMs 1K, 1C, and 1B1 — but VAM-1H's reverse die state falls chronologically between VAM-1K and VAM-1C, indicating this specific die pairing represents a mid-life snapshot of the reverse die's progression from early (1K) through intermediate (1H) to later (1C) states. This die state sequencing, confirmed during the 2014 revision, establishes a production chronology within the 1926-S die lineup that is valuable for understanding mint die management practices. Rated I-2 for interest and R-5 for rarity, the variety is estimated at 30 to 200 confirmed survivors. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams, the 1926-S Peace Dollar had a mintage of approximately 6.98 million pieces. The heavy file lines are most visible in the open field areas under 5x magnification with low-angle illumination that catches the raised ridges left by the file strokes.

External References