1922-P VAM-1AB

Description

Discovered in 2015 by David K. Close, the 1922-P VAM-1AB Peace Dollar documents a flat, broad vertical die gouge positioned above and below the dot between the N of IN and the G of GOD on the obverse. The VAM classification II 1 - B1a (Die Gouge Between N-G) I-2 R-6 assigns an R-6 rarity rating (estimated 13 to 30 known), indicating this is a scarce variety despite the 1922-P's massive 51,737,000 mintage — the highest in the entire Peace Dollar series. The discoverer's note that this gouge is "slightly raised & shiny" describes the physical characteristics of metal that flowed into the die gouge during striking, producing a raised ridge with reflective surfaces distinct from the surrounding coin surface. The notation that this variety is "similar to VAMS 1D, 1H, & 1Q" indicates a family of related die gouges in the same N-G area across different die pairs, suggesting a systematic production issue — perhaps related to how the dies were handled, cleaned, or prepared — that produced gouges in this specific location repeatedly. The 1922 Peace Dollar was Anthony de Francisci's design in its second year of production, following the series' 1921 debut in high relief. By 1922, the design had been modified to normal relief for production efficiency, and the Philadelphia Mint's enormous output that year generated a large population of die pairs, each with unique die markers and deterioration patterns that VAM researchers have cataloged systematically for decades.

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