1923-S VAM-1AZ

Description

Revised in 2010, VAM-1AZ of the 1923-S Peace dollar is designated II1 - B2a as Shortened Front Two Rays, with rarity ratings of I-2 R-5 (estimating 30 to 75 surviving specimens). The obverse II1 displays over-polishing at the front of Liberty's hair, creating a slightly beveled field where the first two rays have been shortened away from the hair. This aggressive die polishing removed metal from the die surface, effectively truncating the rays. The die marker is two horizontal polishing lines at the rear tiara ray. The reverse B2a shows vertical and horizontal die file lines at the clash mark area near the olive leaves, evidence that a Mint worker filed the die to remove clash marks from a previous die contact event. As a Peace dollar, the reverse motto reads IN GOD WE TRVST, using the classical Latin V from Anthony de Francisci's design. The 1923-S Peace dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint. The over-polished obverse creating shortened rays illustrates how die maintenance could alter design elements, and the R-5 rarity suggests limited survival for this specific die state.

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