1923 Peace Dollar Variety Prompts VAM System Overhaul
A collector's 1923 Peace Dollar with an unusual die crack, initially thought to be a new discovery, was identified by the online community as the known VAM-1AE variety.
A collector posted on an online forum about a coin found among a large group of Morgan and Peace dollars. The coin was a 1923 Peace Dollar with a die crack in the area of Lady Liberty's hair.
Die Crack Further East, Distinct from 'Extra Hair' Variety
The poster noted that the die crack resembled the well-known 'Extra Hair' variety (such as VAM-1a, VAM-1ab, and VAM-1AN), which is listed among the Hot-30 and Top-100 varieties. However, they pointed out that the crack on their coin was 'further to the east' than those on the known varieties.
They also stated that a secondary die crack, a characteristic of VAM-1a and others that runs downward from the bun on the back of her head, was not present. The poster asked whether the coin was a known VAM (a type of variety) or a new discovery found after more than 100 years.
VAMWorld Database Provides the Answer
In response to this question, another user replied suggesting it might be VAM-1AE. They shared a link to the 1923-P VAM-1AE page on VAMWorld, a website that lists detailed information on varieties.
The original poster checked the link and replied, "Nice! That does look like the same spot," confirming that the features of the VAM-1AE matched those on the coin they had found.
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