1923-P VAM-1AK2

Description

Discovered in June 2015 by the collector known as Kurt28 and cataloged by VAMWorld, VAM-1AK2 on the 1923-P Peace Dollar carries the designation II1 with reverse B2a and the composite title "Die Scratches ONE, Collar Clash Reverse." This variety represents a Late Die State evolution of VAM-1AK, inheriting the die scratches at the word ONE on the reverse from its parent variety while adding a newly documented unlisted weak collar clash at the 10 o'clock position on the reverse. The collar clash — where the restraining collar die contacts the working die face without an intervening planchet — left subtle reeding indentations at the rim area near 10 o'clock, a feature not present on earlier die states of the same reverse die and thus warranting a separate VAM designation to distinguish the later die state from the original VAM-1AK. The discovery narrative reveals the cataloging logic: the researcher identified the collar clash on what was initially believed to be a standard VAM-1AK specimen, recognized it as an unlisted feature, and assigned the 1AK2 designation to capture the Late Die State development. Rated I-2 for interest and R-5 for rarity, the variety falls in the scarce population range of approximately 30 to 200 confirmed examples. The 1923-P Peace Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with one of the largest mintages in the series at roughly 30.8 million pieces, yet the Late Die State collar clash limits the potential survivor population to only those coins struck after the collar contact event occurred — a fraction of the total die output. Examination under 7x magnification at the 10 o'clock reverse rim area, looking for faint linear reeding impressions, provides the diagnostic distinction from the parent VAM-1AK.

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