1921-P VAM-1E1

Description

Discovered by David Close, the 1921-P VAM-1E1 "Die Gouges Reverse Left Field" Peace dollar identifies three horizontal die gouges positioned in the reverse field near the eagle's left wing on Anthony de Francisci's design. Cataloged as 1E1 I 1 - Aa (Die Gouges Reverse Left Field), this variety documents a cluster of die surface defects on the reverse of the Peace dollar's debut year production. Philadelphia struck approximately 1.01 million Peace dollars in 1921 — the lowest mintage in the entire series — making it both the key date and the only year struck in the original high-relief format before production switched to the standard low-relief design in 1922. The Obverse I 1 designation identifies this as a Type I (high-relief) obverse die, while the Reverse Aa classification indicates a Type A reverse specific to the 1921 high-relief production. Three horizontal die gouges near the eagle's left wing represent depressions cut into the die surface, likely by foreign particles or tool contact during die preparation, that transfer as raised horizontal lines on struck coins. The reverse left field — the open area adjacent to the eagle's outstretched left wing — provides a relatively uncluttered surface where these gouges stand out against the surrounding flat field. David Close's discovery expanded the 1921-P Peace dollar VAM catalog for a date where every documented variety holds heightened significance due to the minuscule mintage and the unique high-relief format. The 1E1 suffix, with its numeric extension, indicates this is a sub-variety within the 1E designation, reflecting the granular documentation applied to this pivotal date. Collectors should examine the reverse field near the eagle's left wing under 15x magnification with angled lighting to resolve the three raised horizontal lines against the surrounding field surface.

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