1924-S VAM-1C

Description

David Close documented a thin die scratch at the top left of the T in LIBERTY on the obverse of this 1924 San Francisco Peace Dollar, the defining characteristic of VAM-1C under classification II 1 - B2a with interest I-2 and rarity R-5 (fewer than 30 known). Die scratches on Peace Dollar obverses typically originate from accidental tool contact during die preparation or from debris trapped between the die face and polishing implements, creating linear impressions that transfer as raised lines on every subsequently struck coin. San Francisco produced 1,728,000 Peace Dollars in 1924, the lowest S-mint output in the entire Peace Dollar series, making any 1924-S variety inherently scarce and particularly desirable to collectors. The R-5 rarity rating aligns with this low mintage — fewer than 30 known examples of a specific die scratch on an already-scarce date places VAM-1C among the more challenging Peace Dollar varieties to locate. The scratch at the top left of T provides a precise diagnostic point, though its subtle nature requires careful examination under magnification with proper lighting to distinguish it from surface marks acquired through circulation. The simplicity of VAM-1C's defining feature — a single die scratch — contrasts with more complex VAM varieties, yet its rarity and the desirability of the 1924-S date sustain strong collector interest.

External References