1934-D VAM-10

Description

Discovered by David Close, the 1934-D VAM-10 "Doubled Right Obverse" Peace dollar documents subtle doubled design elements on the right side of Anthony de Francisci's obverse — specifically, slightly doubled designer's initials, the letters TRU (from IN GOD WE TRUST), and the back edge of the lower hair curls. Cataloged as 10 III 3 · B2b (Doubled Right Obverse) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-4 (estimated 131-300 known), this variety occupies the moderately scarce tier where patient searching through dealer inventories can yield results. Denver struck approximately 1.57 million Peace dollars in 1934, one of the lowest mintages in the entire series and a date that commands significant premiums in all grades regardless of variety attribution. The doubled designer's initials — de Francisci's "AF" monogram tucked beneath Liberty's neck truncation — provide a compact diagnostic zone where even slight displacement produces visible separation in the fine letterforms. The TRU doubling on the right side of the motto and the back edge of the lower hair further define the displacement axis, suggesting the hub shifted rightward during the secondary impression, affecting design elements along the right periphery of the obverse while leaving left-side elements relatively unaffected. The B2b reverse classification indicates a specific reverse die pairing that can serve as additional confirmation. David Close has contributed numerous Peace dollar VAM discoveries, particularly for Denver and San Francisco issues of the 1930s. Collectors should examine the designer's initials and the TRU inscription under 15-20x magnification with angled lighting, comparing against reference images of undoubled 1934-D specimens.

External References