1925-P VAM-1AO

Description

Originally discovered in 2014 with Leroy Van Allen and the OCC contributing to the attribution, and revised in March 2024 by Lance Newman, the 1925-P VAM-1AO Peace Dollar is classified as II 1 - B2a (Die File Lines Wing) and documented by VAMWorld. The reverse (B2a) exhibits several die polishing lines on the eagle's wing running mostly parallel to the feathers — linear striations introduced during die maintenance that follow the natural contours of the wing feather design, suggesting the polishing tool was drawn along the feather direction rather than across it. Some specimens also display a collar clash on the reverse, where the die contacted the collar (the ring that forms the coin's edge) leaving reeding-like impressions at the die's rim area. The die marker for attribution consists of polishing lines around the ray positioned to the left of the D in DOLLAR, providing a specific reverse checkpoint. The Peace Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1925, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1925-P had a substantial mintage of approximately 10.2 million pieces. The VAM-1AO designation uses the letter-number suffix system that extends the original VAM numbering when additional die states or sub-varieties are identified within an existing die marriage family — in this case, the AO suffix indicates this is a later-documented state within the VAM-1 family. Lance Newman's 2024 revision of the original 2014 discovery demonstrates the ongoing refinement of Peace Dollar variety attributions, where continued examination of specimens leads to updated descriptions and diagnostic details years after initial documentation. High-resolution photographs are available through the VAMWorld listing under the 25-P V1AO designation.

External References