1922-S VAM-1B

Description

Found by Larry Briggs in August 2002, the 1922-S VAM-1B is classified as II 1 B1a (Shortened Reverse Rays) and rated I-3 R-5. The reverse die was over-polished to remove clash marks, a routine maintenance procedure at the San Francisco Mint, but the aggressive polishing went too far and shortened several of the eagle's sunburst rays. The most prominent effect is a visibly shortened ray below the right olive branch, while the ray below the double L in DOLLAR appears very thin, and polishing lines remain visible within the rays below DOLL. Over-polishing to remove clash marks is one of the most common sources of Peace dollar die varieties, as the bold high-relief design made these dies especially prone to clashing. The resulting shortened and thinned rays contrast noticeably with normally struck 1922-S specimens, making VAM-1B identifiable without high magnification once the collector knows what to look for. This variety serves as an instructive example of how Mint die maintenance created collectible variations. =1922-S VAM-1B Shortened Reverse Rays= Discovered by Larry Briggs, August 2002. 1B II 1 B1a (Shortened Reverse Rays) I-3 R-5 Reverse B1a- Die over polished to remove die clash marks resulting in shortened ray below right olive branch, very thin ray below LL and polishing lines in rays below DOLL.

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