1934-D VAM-2A

Description

Bearing the VAM-2A designation for the 1934-D Peace dollar, this variety was discovered by David Close and documents two distinct diagnostics on a single Denver Mint die marriage: a medium-sized D mintmark and a die gouge positioned below the G in GOD on Anthony de Francisci's obverse. The full catalog entry reads 2A III 1 B2b (Medium D, Die Gouge Below G), with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (estimated 30-75 known). The obverse diagnostic is described as a vertical shallow die gouge below the letter G in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST — a linear depression in the die surface that transferred as a raised line on struck coins. Denver produced approximately 1.57 million Peace dollars in 1934, the penultimate year of the series before the final 1935 issues, making 1934-D a low-mintage date that commands premiums in all grades independent of variety attribution. The medium D mintmark classification places this die's mintmark size between the small and large D variants documented for other 1934-D VAMs, establishing mintmark dimensions as a primary sorting criterion alongside the die gouge diagnostic. David Close has contributed extensively to Peace dollar VAM research, and the die gouge below G sits in a location that requires deliberate examination — the motto curves along the obverse periphery above Liberty's crown, and the vertical orientation of the gouge distinguishes it from the radial ray lines that emanate from the crown design. The B2b reverse pairing identifies a specific reverse die type within the 1934-D catalog, distinct from the B2a reverse used on the base VAM-2. Collectors should examine the area immediately below the G of GOD under 15-20x magnification with angled illumination, looking for a shallow raised vertical line on the coin that corresponds to the incuse gouge in the die.

External References