1927-S VAM-1C

Description

Discovered by David Close, VAM-1C is a die file lines variety of the 1927 San Francisco Peace Dollar, carrying the VAMWorld classification 1C II 1 – B2a with interest rating I-2 and rarity R-5. This variety is defined by an unusually thorough application of die filing and polishing to the obverse working die: file and polishing lines cover the obverse fields broadly, a condition resulting from extensive manual resurfacing of the die face, likely to remove clash marks or other defects accumulated during the die's service life. On struck coins, these die preparation lines appear as a network of fine raised parallel streaks across the obverse fields — a telltale sign of hand-finishing that distinguishes this die from normal production examples. The extensive coverage of die file lines across the fields of VAM-1C makes it relatively straightforward to identify under magnification, as the lines are not confined to a single area but appear throughout the open field spaces. The 1927 San Francisco Peace Dollar is a lower-mintage date compared to major Peace Dollar issues, adding collecting interest to the variety subset. The combination of the San Francisco origin, the R-5 rarity, and the visually distinctive die file line coverage makes VAM-1C a desirable attribution for collectors working the 1927-S Peace Dollar series. Examination under 5x to 10x magnification in raking light best reveals the file line network.

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