1923-D VAM-1AK

Description

Featuring a dramatic die break extending from the rim at the top right of Y in LIBERTY, the 1923-D VAM-1AK Peace Dollar was discovered by David Close and accompanied by a die crack running just above the Y junction and a tiny die chip above the R in TRVST — the archaic Latin spelling used on Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar obverse. Classified as 1AK II 1 B2a with an impact rating of I-2 and a rarity of R-6 (estimated 13-30 known), this variety captures an advanced stage of die deterioration where multiple failure modes — break, crack, and chip — converge on a single die. The Denver Mint struck approximately 6.8 million Peace Dollars in 1923, and this fourth die break documented at the right of Y demonstrates that the LIBERTY inscription area was a consistent stress point during production. The Peace Dollar's high-relief design, particularly the radiating rays of Liberty's crown and the deeply cut serif lettering of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRVST, created natural fracture initiation sites where die metal fatigued under repeated striking pressure. The R-6 rarity rating means the known population is estimated at 13 to 30 specimens, placing VAM-1AK among the scarcer die state varieties in the 1923-D catalog. Die break varieties on Peace Dollars are particularly valued because the fractures often occur in visually prominent locations that are immediately recognizable without magnification, making them accessible to collectors across all experience levels.

External References