1923-S VAM-1AI

Description

Discovered by Eric Justice in June 2006, the 1923-S VAM-1AI Peace dollar is described as "Tall and Short Double Clash Spikes Eagle's Shoulder" with a rarity rating of I-2 R-5 (estimated 31 to 75 known examples). Classified as II 1 B2a, the obverse die exhibits double die clash spikes projecting upward from the eagle's right shoulder area, transferred from the back of Liberty's head on the reverse die during a clash event. The spikes appear close together in the middle of the eagle's shoulder top, with the shorter left spike showing evidence of polishing where Mint workers attempted to minimize the clash marks. The coin is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The San Francisco Mint produced over 19 million Peace dollars in 1923, making it a high-mintage S-mint date, but the specific die clash characteristics of VAM-1AI are found on only a subset of that production. Anthony de Francisci's Peace dollar design places Liberty's head in high relief on the obverse, with the eagle on the reverse positioned such that the back of Liberty's head area on the obverse die aligns with the eagle's shoulder area on the reverse die during a clash event. The "tall and short" description of the spikes indicates two separate clash events produced impressions at slightly different intensities, with the shorter one subsequently reduced through die polishing. This variety belongs to the Peace Dollars 1921-1935 series.

External References