1924-P VAM-1AT2

Description

Discovered by Jody Faust in 2017, VAM-1AT2 is a multi-feature variety of the 1924 Philadelphia Peace Dollar, carrying the VAMWorld classification 1AT2 II1 – B2a with interest rating I-2 and rarity R-5. The variety name references two distinct characteristics: a spiked forehead on the obverse — a raised metallic spike at the hairline above Liberty's brow, produced by a fine crack or burr on the obverse die face — and a collar clash on the reverse at the 3 to 4 o'clock position. The collar clash feature is particularly interesting: it results from the coinage collar, which constrains planchet spread during striking, coming into accidental contact with the reverse die face and leaving impressed reeding indents on the rim in the 3 to 4 o'clock arc. These reeding indents on the die then transfer to struck coins as raised marks along the reverse rim edge in that sector. The 1924 Philadelphia Peace Dollar is a common circulation date with a generous mintage, meaning VAM-1AT2 examples must be distinguished from a large pool of normal strikes. The combination of the obverse spiked forehead and the reverse collar clash zone at 3–4 o'clock provides two independent points of attribution confirmation, reducing the likelihood of misidentification. Collectors should examine both the obverse hairline and the reverse rim in the 3–4 o'clock sector when screening 1924-P Peace Dollars for this variety.

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