1921-P VAM-1J

Description

William Bland's June 2006 discovery of the 1921-P VAM-1J Peace dollar revealed a heavy vertical die gouge running through the letters ME in AMERICA and continuing downward through the second U in UNUM on the reverse. Cataloged as 1J I 1 · Aa (Gouge ME), this variety documents a substantial reverse die defect on the inaugural year of Anthony de Francisci's Peace dollar design. The 1921 Peace dollar occupies a unique position in the series: it is the only date struck in high relief, with production beginning in late December 1921 and yielding approximately 1.01 million coins from the Philadelphia Mint alone. The high-relief design created exceptionally deep die cavities that amplified striking pressure and made dies vulnerable to damage, contributing to the Mint's decision to reduce the relief for 1922 production. The Obverse I 1 classification identifies the Type I high-relief obverse hub, and the Reverse Aa designation marks a reverse die type specific to the 1921 high-relief production — different from the B-type reverses used on subsequent low-relief dates. The heavy vertical gouge traversing ME in AMERICA down through the second U in UNUM covers a substantial vertical span on the reverse, cutting through both the national inscription and the motto below, which indicates a deep and extended defect in the die surface. Die gouges of this magnitude likely resulted from tool contact or a foreign object caught between the hub and die during preparation. Collectors should examine the ME in AMERICA and second U in UNUM under 10-15x magnification, looking for a continuous raised vertical line connecting these inscription elements — the "heavy" characterization suggests visibility should be straightforward on well-preserved specimens.

External References