1923-S VAM-1BI

Description

Originally discovered in 2010 and revised in 2014 when it was reclassified as VAM-1B2, the 1923-S Peace Dollar VAM-1BI carries the full attribution II1 - B2a, indicating die scratches on the last three obverse rays, a die scratch on the letter N, and die file lines on the reverse. The rarity assessment of I-2 R-5 places this variety in a scarce category — R-5 denotes an estimated surviving population of 30 to 75 pieces in the Van Allen-Mallis rarity scale, making this one of the less frequently encountered 1923-S Peace Dollar die pairings. The Reverse B2a designation describes a later die state where a horizontal die scratch developed from the lower right of the N in UNITED (note: the catalog text records "UNTIED," a known typographical convention in certain VAM references), along with die file lines appearing at the positions of die clash marks on the reverse — indicating that the Mint attempted to remove clash marks by filing the die surface but left visible file lines in the process. Die clash marks form when the obverse and reverse dies contact each other without a planchet between them, transferring portions of one die's design onto the other, and the file lines represent the mintworker's effort to efface these transferred images. The 1923-S Peace Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver, 10% copper composition at 26.73 grams, with a mintage of approximately 19.0 million pieces. Peace Dollar VAM collecting represents one of the most active die variety specialties in U.S. numismatics, with the Van Allen-Mallis reference serving as the definitive cataloging authority. The die scratch on the last three obverse rays provides a reliable diagnostic visible even on moderately circulated specimens.

External References