1926-P VAM-1A

Description

Discovered by Terry Armstrong in June 1999 and cataloged by VAMWorld, the 1926-P VAM-1A Peace Dollar is classified as 1A II 1 - B2a (Die Break Edge of Eagle's Wing) with an impact rating of I-2 and a rarity of R-6, placing it among the scarcer die states in the 1926-P die marriage family. The reverse (B2a) features a dramatic and extensive die break along the edge of the eagle's right wing — a structural failure that traces a remarkable path beginning on the tail feathers one full feather below the lower edge of the left wing, ascending across the left wing, turning downward through the rays, and terminating just above the first L in DOLLAR. This lengthy fracture line represents one of the more visually striking die breaks documented in the Peace Dollar series, traversing multiple design elements across a significant portion of the reverse die face. The progressive nature of the break — crossing from feather detail through wing structure and into the ray field — documents how fracture lines in die steel follow internal stress patterns that may connect distant high-stress points across the die face. Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1926 in 90% silver composition at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. The R-6 rarity rating indicates fewer than 100 specimens are estimated to exist, making this a significant find for Peace Dollar variety specialists. The die break's path through the rays and wing provides multiple reference points for confirming attribution, as the crack line's trajectory relative to specific ray positions and feather details creates a unique geographic signature on the reverse die face.

External References