1921-P VAM-1V

Description

The 1921-P VAM-1V Peace Dollar is a distinctive die variety discovered in 2009, classified as I 1 - Aa and defined by its rusted dies combined with a polished obverse die. This coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the inaugural year of the Peace Dollar series, making it historically significant as one of the first silver dollars bearing Anthony de Francisci's bold high-relief design. The coin weighs 26.73 grams, measures 38.1 mm in diameter, and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. On the obverse (die state I 1), raised dots and splotchy areas appear on Liberty's face, neck, and across the top and right fields, all resulting from the rusted die surface transferring pitting as raised features onto struck coins. Fine polishing lines run in various directions across the obverse, evidence that the Mint attempted to rehabilitate the rusted die by polishing. The reverse (die state Aa) also displays raised dots and splotchy areas on the eagle and surrounding fields from the same rusting phenomenon, along with wide circular polishing lines visible in the fields. The 1921 Peace Dollar is particularly notable because it was struck in high relief, a design that proved impractical for mass production and was modified to lower relief beginning in 1922. Only approximately one million 1921 Peace Dollars were produced, making any die variety from this date especially desirable among VAM collectors.

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