A NORMAL PEACE DOLLAR VAM-'23 1W
My next blog is about a "normal" Peace Dollar VAM, in that any VAM is normal. I am using the word "normal" to mean a VAM that is not, currently, in any Top 50, Elite 30 or any other additional designation. This VAM is a 1923 VAM 1W. This variety is also known as the Die Break Hair Rear. Some of the readers here may know that I am working on collecting a Top 50 and Elite 30 sets. This is neither. I found this specimen while looking through some of the aforementioned sets. I thought it is a beautiful coin and does exhibit a nice die break. So here it is.
This variety was discovered in August 2003 by Larry Briggs. It has a R-2 interest number, meaning it is a minor die variety with some interest to variety collectors. I does have a rarity number of R-6. This means it is considered very rare with only several hundred in the wild. All in all, not bad.
The die break is located in Miss Liberty's hair bun, in the rear as was stated. A die break is a gap in the die resulting in a raised area in the coin and must be visible to the naked eye to be listed as a separate VAM. I hope you can see it in the photos below. That's it for this VAM. I am hoping to have a little surprise for the reader in my next VAM blog. I hope you enjoyed this short blog. Please feel free to comment. Thanks for looking.
SOURCES:
VAMWorld 2.0
COMPRHENSIVE CATALOG AND ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORGAN AND PEACE DOLLARS-Leroy Van Allen & A. George Mallis
SILVER DOLLARS & TRADE DOLLARS OF THE UNITED STATES-Q. David Bowers
VARSLAB.COM
A GUIDE BOOK OF PEACE DOLLARS-Roger W. Burdette
Comments
user_14581
Level 3
I enjoy the VAMs and more-so on the Peace Dollars than the Morgans. How close are to finishing any of the 2 sets of VAMs you are working on? Which one is the technical difficult one to finish due to the high rarities?
Longstrider
Level 6
I am closer to finishing the Top 50 but still have a way to go. They both have about equal rarities.. As always, money can be a big help. Thanks for asking.
ZanzibarCoins
Level 4
What a cool coin! Nice blog, and great photos, thanks for showing us! Good find! :)
JudeA
Level 4
I love hearing about these VAM's. They are kind of like my 2009 DDRs but your coins!
"SUN"
Level 6
Nice photos. You are quite knowledgeable on the VAM's.
Kepi
Level 6
You have an amazing collection! Keep'em coming Vam Man! ; )
It's Mokie
Level 6
Nice one Longstrider, you have the sharp eye. You are indeed the VAM Man!!!
Mike
Level 7
I have to admit that these Vams are remarkable. Although rated a R6 it's still rare but normal. That's interesting. I wonder why this series had so many. Could other coins have vams not visable by the human eye?. It would take patience with you have. To me I find it interesting that these are found. You have to know the obverse and reverse very well and were to look. Thanks for another great coin. These keep me interested. Thanks Vam man.