A SIGNIFICANT PEACE DOLLAR VAM DISCOVERY (UPDATED)
Peaceman
Posts: 5,098
Over the last few years, many Peace $ VAMS have been found and attributed. I for one have attributed a few of them including the 23’ 1Y which is one of the 7 X-hair varieties for 1923. Although I have “credit” for finding the “discovery” piece, it was far from being an “undiscovered” die break as some of the long time VAM collectors already had several of these examples tucked away in their inventory. I guess when you find over 100 discovery coins, you tend not to get too excited about submitting them to Leroy for a number? When I attributed the 1Y, David Close told me he had several examples of it and encouraged me to submit mine just so a VAM number could be assigned to it. So, although I got credit for “discovering” the 1923 1Y, it wasn't a "true" discovery in the world of Peace dollar VAM’s.
This mint state, 1922 P Peace dollar VAM, however, resides in no collectors inventory (That I've had feedback from already) nor has it obviously been attributed. This is truly a discovery piece, a R-8 coin if you will. What makes this coin very special is that it is not a “minor” VAM variety such as single clash, tiny die gouge, doubling or other smaller not so significant mark on the coin which qualifies it as a VAM (although this coin does have these characteristics as well). Rather, it has a very noticeable die break on the eagle’s shoulder that is easily seen with the naked eye. Ok, it's not THAT large but you get the picture.....
So you have to ask yourself, how in the world with something this noticeable on it elude serious VAM collectors for more than 20 years? Sure, I bet I’ve looked through 1000 Peace dollars and missed a few VAMs just because I wasn’t looking in a particular place for a small die gouge or missing ray. But to miss something this large in the most viewed area for wear on a Peace dollar’s reverse seems close to impossible. I think this VAM discovery is significant just for those reasons. And because of these reasons, I believe that one can conclude that it is unlikely many other examples will surface.
I’m very excited about this coin and I’m very happy to share it with you. As I understand it, Leroy will give the submitter the opportunity to name a new VAM, so I‘ve submitted to him the name “Eagle tear“. He has it now. We'll see what she comes back as. Enjoy.
This mint state, 1922 P Peace dollar VAM, however, resides in no collectors inventory (That I've had feedback from already) nor has it obviously been attributed. This is truly a discovery piece, a R-8 coin if you will. What makes this coin very special is that it is not a “minor” VAM variety such as single clash, tiny die gouge, doubling or other smaller not so significant mark on the coin which qualifies it as a VAM (although this coin does have these characteristics as well). Rather, it has a very noticeable die break on the eagle’s shoulder that is easily seen with the naked eye. Ok, it's not THAT large but you get the picture.....
So you have to ask yourself, how in the world with something this noticeable on it elude serious VAM collectors for more than 20 years? Sure, I bet I’ve looked through 1000 Peace dollars and missed a few VAMs just because I wasn’t looking in a particular place for a small die gouge or missing ray. But to miss something this large in the most viewed area for wear on a Peace dollar’s reverse seems close to impossible. I think this VAM discovery is significant just for those reasons. And because of these reasons, I believe that one can conclude that it is unlikely many other examples will surface.
I’m very excited about this coin and I’m very happy to share it with you. As I understand it, Leroy will give the submitter the opportunity to name a new VAM, so I‘ve submitted to him the name “Eagle tear“. He has it now. We'll see what she comes back as. Enjoy.
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Comments
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Neo...
Dangit Steve, you and Norm have all the fun.
Nice find.
Herb
Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum