1923-P VAM-1AO

Description

Discovered in 2006, the 1923-P VAM-1AO exhibits a slanted short shallow die gouge to the right of the base of the letter E in LIBERTY on the obverse. Classified as II 1 - B2a (Die Gouge Right of E in LIBERTY) with rarity ratings of I-2 R-5, this variety's defining characteristic is a small but distinctive die imperfection that serves as a reliable diagnostic for attribution. The R-5 rarity rating estimates between 25 and 100 surviving specimens, placing it in the moderately scarce category within the VAM catalog. Die gouges occur when the die surface sustains damage from foreign material, tool contact, or handling during the die preparation or installation process, leaving a permanent mark that transfers to every coin struck from that die. Unlike die cracks or breaks that result from striking stress, die gouges are pre-existing surface damage embedded in the die before it enters production. The 1923 Philadelphia Mint Peace Dollar had a mintage of approximately 30.8 million pieces, the second-highest in the entire Peace Dollar series after the 1922-P. Anthony de Francisci's high-relief design entered its third year of production in 1923, and Philadelphia's substantial output ensured that individual die pairs represented only a small fraction of total production. The catalog notation emphasizes that the die gouge is slanted and positioned at the base of the E, providing precise positional information for collectors examining specimens for confirmation. Peace Dollar VAM collecting has grown substantially since the catalog's expansion beyond its original Morgan Dollar focus.

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