1935-S VAM-1B

Description

Discovered in 2015 by Thomas Petrosie, the 1935-S VAM-1B "Scribbles Above TRVST" Peace dollar documents an unusual die surface treatment above the motto IN GOD WE TRVST on Anthony de Francisci's obverse design. Cataloged as 1B II1 · B2a (Scribbles Above TRVST) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (approximately 30-75 known), this variety features fine scribble lines running in various directions in the field above TRVST — marks described as an apparent attempt to reduce die pitting. The interpretation of these marks as intentional rather than accidental is significant: die pitting — small, randomly distributed depressions in the die surface caused by corrosion, metal fatigue, or trapped contaminants — was a persistent problem that degraded coin appearance, and mint workers occasionally attempted to minimize its visual impact by lightly working the die surface with abrasive tools. The multi-directional "scribble" pattern — as opposed to the parallel strokes typically produced by systematic filing — suggests a hand-applied treatment using a pointed tool or fine abrasive moved in irregular patterns across the pitted area above the motto. San Francisco produced approximately 1.96 million Peace dollars in 1935, the final year of the series, making it one of the lowest-mintage dates and a coin that commands significant collector premiums in all grades. The low mintage combined with the R-5 rarity rating means this variety appears infrequently, though the relatively accessible total production ensures that undiscovered specimens likely exist in collections. The Peace dollar's use of the archaic spelling TRVST (with V substituting for U, following classical Latin convention) places this motto in the upper right portion of the obverse above Liberty's crown. Collectors should examine the field immediately above TRVST under 15-20x magnification with raking light, looking for a network of fine, irregularly oriented incuse lines that contrast with the smooth field finish of unmodified dies.

External References