1921D VAM-8B Die Gouge Wreath

Discovered by William Scholl, July 2003 (Desirability:  )

Condition Census:  65N, 64N, 62N, 61A, 60A, (Total: 5 MS, 4 Circ)

The VAM-8B variety is differentiated by the horizontal die gouge emerging from the right side of the wreath bow.

Please note that research is underway to determine if VAM-1AZ is actually a VAM-8B or if it is actually the VAM-8B reverse with a VAM-1AZ obverse.

Several other die gouges have come to light in the 1921-D series.  Almost all of these gouges are located on the lower reverse of the coin. The reason for the concentration of gouges in this area is an interesting mystery warranting additional research into the production methods that led to the grouping of defects in this region.

As an offshoot of the VAM-8 die, the stars to the left of Liberty are doubled and the right stars are slightly tripled. The reverse shows slight doubling around UNITED STATES that is the same hub doubling as on VAM-6.

On the reverse of the VAM-8B there is also a small die break within the G of God. The fact that there is a die break, die doubling and a die gouge, all on the same coin, makes this a desirable variety.

This VAM also has die gouges within the tail feathers.  These gouges are often easier to see than the wreath gouge so when hunting VAM-8B's look for these markers first, and if they are present then check for the fainter wreath gouge.  Note that these gouges are different than the VAM-1A2 gouges.

This variety changes slightly over time.  Very early die states with no die cracks on the obverse have faint die gouges in multiple locations including this faint die gouge through the AT of STATES.

As production went on, die cracks emerged on the obverse and reverse.  The very late die state photo of chip over E of STATES.  At this point, the faint die gouges outside the wreath and the tail feathers have all been polished away.

This variety comes in a variety of die states.  Ones produced early in the die life have no die cracks.  The late die state has lots of obverse and reverse die cracks, the small chip above the E in STATES and a retained cud forming above the ES of STATES. 

All states of the VAM-8B, even those without visible die cracks, have a a small break in the G of God on the reverse.  According to Leroy Van Allen, breaks within the motto of Morgan dollars occur with enough frequency that they are not considered significant variety features by themselves. The steep and sharp edges of the lettering caused them to be susceptible to chipping.

When using the identification drawing below, remember EDS coins have no die cracks, only the gouges and the break in G of God.

Click here to return to the 1921-D attribution guide