1934-D VAM-9

Description

Discovered by Rob Joyce in May 2001, VAM-9 of the 1934-D Peace Dollar documents a distinctly low mintmark position — the D set noticeably lower than the standard placement seen on other 1934-D die pairings. Denver struck just 1,569,500 Peace Dollars in 1934, one of the lowest mintages in the entire series and a date that collectors prize regardless of VAM attribution. The Micro I designation in the VAM catalog indicates a particular style of the designer's initial on the reverse, while the B2g reverse die classification tracks this specific reverse among the multiple dies used during the production run. Rated I-2 for interest level and R-5 for rarity, the R-5 designation estimates between 30 and 75 specimens known — a genuinely scarce variety on an already low-mintage date. Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar design, introduced in 1921 to commemorate the end of World War I, was produced intermittently through 1935, and the 1934 Denver issue represents one of the final gasps of regular production before the series concluded. The VAM (Van Allen-Mallis) cataloging system provides the most comprehensive framework for classifying Morgan and Peace Dollar die varieties, and VAM-9 is classified under die pairing 9 III 1. Locating a confirmed specimen requires careful examination of the mintmark position relative to the eagle's tail feathers, where the low placement distinguishes this variety from standard 1934-D examples.

External References