1923-D VAM-1AH2

Description

Progressive die cracks distinguish VAM-1AH2 of the 1923 Denver Peace Dollar, cataloged under die class 1AH2 II 1 - B2a and rated I-2 R-6 for moderate collector interest and very rare availability. Discovered in 2015, this variety exhibits a die crack running from Liberty's neck through the letters IN and continuing upward to the L in LIBERTY, with a connecting radial die crack branching above IN. Most dramatically, a displaced field break appears above IN, where the metal between crack lines has been physically pushed outward from the die face — a sign of serious die deterioration that went beyond simple cracking into structural failure of the die steel. Additional diagnostics include a die break to the left of the Y in LIBERTY and another die break positioned above the IN. Peace Dollars struck at the Denver Mint in 1923 saw substantial production, yet examples showing this advanced stage of die damage are exceptionally scarce. The combination of progressive cracking, radial branching, and displaced field metal makes VAM-1AH2 a compelling study in how United States Mint dies deteriorated under the enormous pressures of high-speed coinage production during the 1920s.

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