1935-P VAM-1D

Description

Discovered by Bill Van Note in June 2005, the 1935-P VAM-1D Peace Dollar carries the designation "Die File Lines Lower Obverse," classified as III 1 - B2a with an interest level of I-2 and rarity rating of R-5. This Philadelphia Mint silver dollar weighs 26.73 grams, measures 38.1 mm in diameter, and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. The obverse (die state III 1) exhibits heavy die file lines in the lower field and at the left field, extending around the letters IBER in LIBERTY. These file lines were created during die maintenance when Mint personnel used hand files to remove minor imperfections or adjust the die surface, inadvertently leaving linear tool marks that transfer as raised lines on struck coins. The reverse (die state B2a) also shows die file lines in the rays below DOLLAR. A particularly interesting aspect of this variety is its documented die state progression: a later die state is known where the obverse file lines have eroded away through wear but the reverse lines remain visible, indicating the reverse die experienced less wear or was made of harder steel. The R-5 rarity rating places this variety in the "rare" category, estimated at between 30 and 75 known examples, making it a challenging acquisition for Peace Dollar VAM specialists. The 1935 Peace Dollar is the final year of the original series before the design's brief 1964-D revival (all of which were melted), giving VAM-1D added significance as a variety from the terminal production year. Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar design remains iconic in American numismatics.

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