1925-P VAM-1AN

Description

Identified by a vertical die gouge positioned below the letter G in GOD on the obverse, VAM-1AN of the 1925 Peace Dollar documents a die imperfection that occurred during die preparation or service — not a hub doubling event but a physical defect in the die steel itself. Discovered in 2013, this variety was assigned to obverse die state II1 with reverse die B2a, and rated R-5 for rarity, estimating between 30 and 75 specimens known. Philadelphia struck 10.2 million Peace Dollars in 1925, a moderate mintage within Anthony de Francisci's design series that ran from 1921 through 1935. Die gouges are created when a foreign object scratches or impacts the die surface, and the vertical orientation of this particular gouge below the G in GOD gives it a distinctive appearance that serves as the primary diagnostic. Unlike doubled dies or repunched mintmarks that result from hubbing or mintmark punching processes, die gouges are accidental damage that can occur at any point in a die's working life — during manufacture, cleaning, transportation, or installation. The VAM-1AN designation places this as one of many sub-varieties cataloged under the VAM-1 die marriage for 1925-P, where the "AN" suffix indicates it was the fortieth alphabetical sub-listing. The R-5 rarity combined with a common-date host means the variety is scarce but the base coin is readily available, creating a classic cherry-picking opportunity.

External References