1928-S VAM-1B

Description

Discovered in 2016 by David Close, the 1928-S VAM-1B carries the formal name "Die File Lines Neck, Double Clash Spikes Eagle's Shoulder" and is rated I-2 R-5 under the Van Allen-Mallis system. Peace Dollars were struck in 90% silver from 1921 through 1935, designed by Anthony de Francisci. The 1928-S is a conditionally scarce date; VAM-1B adds another layer of rarity on top of it. The obverse die (II1) shows die file lines along the left side of Liberty's neck — deliberate post-hubbing tool marks made when a mint worker attempted to smooth a die blemish. The reverse (B2a) exhibits a clashed die with a long single spike at the right edge of the eagle's right shoulder and a shorter thin spike to the left — mirror-image evidence of an obverse-reverse die contact event. A small raised dot below the middle talon of the eagle's claw serves as the primary reverse die marker. On the obverse, a nearly horizontal die scratch to the right of the 2 in the date is the secondary anchor. Both markers are stable and critical for attribution. At R-5, this VAM rewards collectors willing to examine 1928-S Peace Dollars carefully for the neck file lines and double shoulder spike combination.

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