1921-P VAM-1AF

Description

Discovered in December 2021 by jrfaust, the 1921-P VAM-1AF Peace Dollar is designated as Swirl File Lines Nose, Wear Rust Pits Above ONE, cataloged as 1AF I1 - Aa. This variety is distinguished by two separate die characteristics across the obverse and reverse. The obverse presents a patch of swirl polishing lines in the field in front of Liberty's nose — circular or arc-shaped tool marks created when the die surface was polished using a rotary buffing motion, leaving characteristic curved striations that transferred as fine raised lines on struck coins. The reverse exhibits die rust dots and splotches mainly concentrated in the left field, along with light die file lines visible in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA inscription. The die rust features indicate this die was exposed to moisture at some point during storage or use, causing oxidation that pitted the die surface and produced raised dots on coins struck from the corroded die. The LVA (Leroy Van Allen) Discovery Letter notation indicates formal documentation was filed with the VAM system's original creator. The Peace Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci to commemorate the end of World War I, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition, weighing 26.73 grams at 38.1 mm diameter. The 1921-P Peace Dollar is the first year of the series and was struck in high relief, making it a distinctive type coin within the Peace Dollar sequence. It carries a relatively modest mintage of approximately 1.006 million pieces compared to later years, adding scarcity value to any documented variety. The swirl polishing lines in front of the nose are most visible under magnification with angled lighting that catches the fine raised ridges against the field surface.

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