1922-P VAM-2AA

Description

Jim Hart discovered this Philadelphia Mint Peace Dollar variety in July 2003, identifying a dramatic clash spike on the reverse as the defining characteristic. Cataloged as VAM-2AA with classification 2AA II 1 - B2a (Clash Spike Eagle's Shoulder) at I-2 and R-6 rarity, the reverse B2a die shows a severe die clash manifesting as a long vertical spike extending upward from the eagle's right shoulder, created by the transfer of the back of Liberty's neck from the obverse die during a clashing event. What makes this particular clash remarkable is that no other die clash marks are readily visible on the reverse — the spike from the neck is the sole prominent transfer, suggesting either a very localized clash contact or that subsequent die polishing removed the surrounding clash marks while leaving the deeply impressed neck spike intact. Die clashing occurs when the obverse and reverse dies come together without a planchet between them, and the force of the impact drives design elements from each die into the opposing face. On this die, the high-relief contour of Liberty's neck on the obverse created a particularly deep impression in the reverse die at the eagle's shoulder, one that resisted removal during die maintenance. The 1922-P Peace Dollar's enormous mintage of approximately 51.7 million coins necessitated aggressive die usage, and clash spikes of this severity are typically found on dies that experienced especially forceful clashing incidents. The R-6 rarity indicates this die pair saw limited use after the clash event.

External References