1934-P VAM-1F

Description

Discovered in 2012 by David Close, the 1934-P VAM-1F "Lines In O" Peace dollar documents four vertical lines with end loops — possibly die scratches or a thread impression — visible inside the letter O of GOD on Anthony de Francisci's obverse design. Cataloged as 1F II1 · B2a (Lines in O) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (estimated 30-75 known), this variety presents one of the more unusual diagnostics in the Peace dollar catalog. The description of "vertical lines with end loops" from possible die scratches or a thread impression introduces an intriguing forensic question: if the lines originated from a thread, they would represent a foreign material impression where a fiber became trapped between the hub and die during sinking, leaving its impression in the die steel — a rare but documented occurrence in Mint die production. Alternatively, if the lines are die scratches, the loop-ended character suggests they were made by a curved tool or implement rather than a straight-edged file. Philadelphia struck approximately 954,057 Peace dollars in 1934, making it the second-lowest mintage in the entire series after the 1921 issue. The extremely low mintage for 1934 means every documented die pairing is of heightened interest, as the small production run likely employed only a handful of die pairs. The 1934 Philadelphia Peace dollar marks the penultimate year of the series, with production ending entirely in 1935. David Close's identification of this unusual diagnostic adds to the documentation of Mint die preparation practices. Collectors should examine the interior of the O in GOD under at least 20x magnification to resolve the four vertical lines and their distinctive end loops.

External References