1935-P VAM-1G

Description

Discovered by David Close in 2013, the 1935-P VAM-1G Peace Dollar is classified as a Die Scratch Above Mountains variety, carrying the die pairing III1 with reverse B2a and rated I-2 for interest and R-5 for rarity. The obverse die shows a horizontal wide die bar through the top opening of the numeral 5 — evidence of die polishing that removed metal across the numeral's opening — while the reverse exhibits a fine die scratch line traversing the rays above the left and middle mountains of Anthony de Francisci's eagle-on-mountain design. The 1935-P Peace Dollar holds the distinction of being the final regular-issue Peace Dollar, with a mintage of approximately 1.58 million coins from the Philadelphia Mint before the series was discontinued. Although Peace Dollars were briefly struck again in 1964 (all reportedly melted) and a commemorative revival occurred in 2021, the 1935-P remains the functional conclusion of the original series that began in 1921 to celebrate the end of World War I. Die scratches result from physical contact between the die surface and abrasive materials — whether from intentional polishing to extend die life or from accidental contact with foreign material — and the fine scratch line through the rays above the mountains provides a distinctive attribution feature. The R-5 rarity estimate of 13 to 30 known examples makes VAM-1G a moderately scarce variety on an already scarce final-year date, adding numismatic premium to the coin's inherent silver value and date rarity.

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