1926-S VAM-1Q

Description

Reported in 2011 by BJV (a contributor to the VAM collecting community), the 1926-S VAM-1Q "Die Gouge B" Peace dollar features a vertical die gouge positioned at the first short ray to the right of the letter B in LIBERTY on Anthony de Francisci's obverse design. Cataloged as 1Q II1 · B2a (Die Gouge "B") with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (approximately 30-75 known), this variety occupies the scarce tier where confirmed examples require dedicated searching. San Francisco produced approximately 6.98 million Peace dollars in 1926, among the lower mintages in the series and a date that commands premiums in all grades. Die gouges are linear depressions cut into the die surface — typically by foreign material caught between the hub and die during the sinking process, or by accidental tool contact during die preparation — that produce raised lines or ridges on struck coins. The precise location at the first short ray right of the B in LIBERTY provides a repeatable diagnostic that distinguishes VAM-1Q from the numerous other 1926-S sub-varieties within the VAM-1 family. The Obverse II1 classification pairs with a standard B2a reverse, indicating the diagnostic interest lies entirely on the obverse die. At R-5, collectors can expect to encounter this variety infrequently, and confirmation requires magnification sufficient to resolve the vertical gouge among the radial rays surrounding Liberty's crown — typically 15-20x with directed lighting that casts shadows along the raised gouge line against the adjacent ray detail.

External References