1922-D VAM-1F1

Description

One of the most recognizable Peace Dollar die varieties, the "Spiked Eye" on VAM-1F1 of the 1922-D features a thin, long, slightly slanted die gouge running directly through Liberty's eye on the obverse — creating a dramatic visual effect that has made this variety a favorite among collectors who appreciate easily identifiable diagnostics. Discovered by Larry Briggs in August 2002, the variety is classified under obverse die II 1 with reverse B1a. Denver struck 15.1 million Peace Dollars in 1922, the highest mintage of any Peace Dollar date, ensuring an enormous surviving population from which Spiked Eye specimens can be found. The die gouge that creates the "spike" is a physical defect in the die steel — likely caused by a foreign particle striking the die surface or a tool slip during die preparation — and the resulting raised line on struck coins passes through one of the most scrutinized areas of Anthony de Francisci's design. Because the gouge runs through the eye, it transforms a small die imperfection into a dramatic visual feature that even non-specialists notice immediately. The VAM-1F1 designation places this under the VAM-1 die marriage with the "F1" suffix indicating a specific sub-variety characterized by this die state. The enormous mintage of the 1922-D ensures that while the variety is well-known, specimens continue to surface in unchecked accumulations, making it one of the most accessible Peace Dollar VAM varieties for beginning collectors.

External References