1922-D VAM-1AI

Description

Discovered in 2013, the 1922-D VAM-1AI "Die Break Below L" Peace dollar documents a progressive die crack that has advanced into a localized break on Anthony de Francisci's obverse. Cataloged as 1AI II1 · B2a (Die Break Below L), the diagnostic traces a die crack from the letter I downward through the base of the L in LIBERTY and continuing to the rim between L and IN, where the crack widens into a small displaced field break — indicating the die steel has begun separating at that point. Denver struck approximately 15.06 million Peace dollars in 1922, the first year of the redesigned low-relief production that followed the limited high-relief debut of 1921. The crack's path from I through L to the rim follows the natural stress lines that develop in a working die during extended production — the rim area, where die steel transitions from the recessed design field to the retaining collar, concentrates mechanical stress and serves as a common origin point for fractures that propagate inward through design elements. The widening at the rim between L and IN indicates the fracture has progressed beyond a simple crack into the early stages of die separation, though the "break" designation rather than "cud" indicates the fragment remains largely attached. The 1AI suffix places this variety deep within the alphabetical sub-variety sequence of the VAM-1 family for 1922-D, reflecting the extensive die pair documentation that high-mintage Peace dollar dates have accumulated. Collectors should examine the area below and between L and IN on the obverse under 15x magnification, looking for the raised line of the die crack and the slightly elevated, distorted field where the break has begun to displace metal at the rim junction.

External References