1925-S VAM-1

Description

Representing the baseline die pairing for the lowest-mintage issue in the entire Peace Dollar series, the 1925-S VAM-1 documents the normal die combination for a coin struck with just 1,610,000 pieces at the San Francisco Mint — a figure no other Peace Dollar date or mint would match. This distinction as the scarcest regular-issue Peace Dollar by mintage gives every die variety from this date heightened significance, and the baseline VAM-1 occupies a dual role as both the standard reference for die study and a genuinely scarce coin in its own right. Anthony de Francisci's design was struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets during a period of declining silver dollar demand, and the San Francisco Mint's minimal output reflected reduced Treasury requirements. Survivors tend to come weakly struck compared to Philadelphia issues, and specimens in choice Mint State grades are notably elusive. The 1925-S represents the floor of Peace Dollar production — the fewest coins struck from the fewest dies — making VAM-1 not merely a catalog starting point but a key acquisition for any collector pursuing the series by date, mint, and variety.

External References