1925-P VAM-1A1

Description

Discovered by Jeff Oxman in April 1999 and recognized as a Top 50 Peace Dollar VAM, the 1925-P VAM-1A1 "Tiara Gouge" features a horizontal die gouge positioned in the rays well below the B of LIBERTY on Anthony de Francisci's obverse — a prominent defect that has earned this variety a place among the most collectible Peace dollar die varieties. Cataloged as 1A1 II 1 B2a (Die Gouge in Rays) with die classification I-3 and rarity rating R-4 (estimated 131-300 known), this variety is accessible enough for most collectors to acquire while maintaining sufficient scarcity to command recognition. The Top 50 Peace Dollar designation places VAM-1A1 within an elite subset of Peace dollar varieties selected for their combination of visual appeal, collector interest, and attributability — a curated list that provides an accessible entry point for collectors new to Peace dollar variety collecting. Philadelphia struck approximately 10.20 million Peace dollars in 1925, a moderate mintage. The horizontal die gouge in the rays below LIBERTY sits in a visually prominent area of the obverse where the crown rays radiate outward from Liberty's head, and the gouge's horizontal orientation creates a perpendicular intersection with the predominantly vertical and diagonal ray lines that makes it readily identifiable even at moderate magnification. Jeff Oxman — one of the most prolific and respected Peace dollar VAM researchers — contributed this discovery during a period of intensive catalog expansion in the late 1990s. Die marker notation includes diagonal polishing lines through the W of WE, providing a secondary diagnostic independent of the gouge itself. Collectors should locate the horizontal gouge below B of LIBERTY at 7-10x magnification first, then confirm by checking for the diagonal polishing lines through W of WE, making this one of the more accessible VAM attributions for collectors building a Top 50 set.

External References