1926-D VAM-1H

Description

Discovered in 2018 by Bob Folkers, the 1926-D VAM-1H "Die Break LL" Peace dollar records a progressive die failure on the reverse of Anthony de Francisci's design, targeting the double-L in DOLLAR. Cataloged as II 1 - B2a (Die Break LL) with an unconfirmed rarity designation, die classification I-2, and rarity rating R-5 (approximately 30-75 known), the reverse description details a diagonal die crack running through both L's of DOLLAR accompanied by a displaced design die break between the two letters. A displaced design die break represents a more advanced stage of die failure than a simple crack — the die steel has not only fractured but the fragment has shifted slightly, causing the design elements on the broken segment to appear displaced relative to the surrounding intact die surface on struck coins. Denver produced approximately 2.35 million Peace dollars in 1926, a low mintage that makes this date one of the scarcer issues in the series and adds baseline value to any die variety documentation. The diagonal crack path through LL and the displaced break between the letters document a die that was experiencing significant structural failure in the DOLLAR inscription area — a region where the closely spaced recessed letters in the die concentrate stress during repeated striking. Bob Folkers' 2018 discovery added this late-stage die failure variety to the 1926-D catalog at a time when modern high-resolution photography and online sharing platforms have accelerated the identification and documentation of new VAM sub-varieties. Collectors should examine the LL in DOLLAR on the reverse under 10-15x magnification, looking for the diagonal raised crack line and the displaced field break where the design elements between the two L's show misalignment relative to their surroundings.

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