1923-S VAM-1AA1

Description

This 90% silver San Francisco Mint Peace Dollar exhibits die file lines on both the obverse and reverse, classified as II 1, B2a with a rarity of I-2 R-6. Die file lines result from Mint personnel filing the die surface to remove clash marks or other imperfections, leaving linear traces that transfer to struck coins as raised lines. Discovered by David Close and revised in 2014 by davidkclose, VAM-1AA1 uses a different obverse die than VAMs 1L, S, T, U, and Y, establishing it as a distinct die marriage within the extensive 1923-S catalog. The reverse die was later paired with a different obverse to produce VAM-1AO, documenting the Mint's practice of reusing serviceable dies across multiple pairings. These shared die relationships help researchers reconstruct the sequence of die usage at San Francisco during 1923 production. The Peace Dollar's reverse carries the distinctive TRVST spelling chosen by designer Anthony de Francisci. With over 19 million pieces struck, the 1923-S is among the more available dates in the Peace series, though scarce VAM varieties like this R-6 remain challenging. revised 2014 davidkclose 1AA1 II 1 · B2a (Die File Lines Obverse and Reverse) I-2 R-6 Obverse II 1– Heavy die file lines in left and right fields in attempt to remove die cracks on LDS after die filing of reverse. Reverse B2a– Heavy die file lines to remove die clash marks.

External References