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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,108 |
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Valued Member
Japan
294 Posts |
I'm sure anyone that studies the PD can see that there are two different types of the "Type 2 Low Relief" Peace dollar in 1922. I put pictures of what I call the Type 2A and Type 2B respectively down below. The Type 2A seems to have a much lower mintage, and I'm guessing is the one that came before the Type 2B, of which was used for the remainder of the series. Does anyone know the exact reason behind not recognizing these obvious differences? As a collector, the idea of not doing so only because "it would be bothersome" seems to undercut its interesting history, or why those changes may have occured.     |
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Valued Member
 Japan
294 Posts |
Also, would it be safe to assume that there were 1922 Type 2B proofs created, then melted down just like the 2A proofs and just haven't been discovered yet? I can't imagine the mint making a change to the dies and not testing it like they did the previous versions. And if one is found, I wonder if they'll have to recognize it as a type 2B proof, or something to that effect... A big part of the value behind the existing proofs isn't only because they're rare, but because they add further insight into how the Peace dollar was created (which is pretty fun to read about!) If anyone has some further knowledge/opinions on the topic I would love to hear it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
I am not understanding what you are calling a type 2A and 2B. Can you explain the difference? There were a lot of different dies used on the 1922 date and therefor are many different VAMs. The same basic design was used on the obverse and reverse for the 1922 date. Van Allen called the obverse used on the 1922: II obverse and the reverse: B reverse.
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Valued Member
Japan
294 Posts |
From what I've heard, there were some back-and-forth alterations and help from George Morgan to make the dies more sustainable, much to Fransisci's chagrin. And I've read reports from the likes of Van Allen, Roger Burdette and others that oftentimes conflict with each others' speculations, so there doesn't seem to be any solid verdict on this transitional period, only speculation. But all I can say is what I see on the coin itself. The olive branch on the Type 2a is further away from the leg and appears as a stub, and the 2a lacks the stem-like incuse above the back talon of the right leg that every Type 2b has. It also lacks the third mountain top as show in these pictures:   |
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Valued Member
Japan
294 Posts |
If you look up particular VAM photos they only appear in either Type 2a or Type 2b. They are never mixed. For example, every 1922 VAM 1A "Line in Tiara" has the qualities of what I'm calling the 2a, but every VAM 2B "Earring" will have the longer stem, third mountain top etc that match the 2b. The Type 2a doesn't appear near as much, which leads me to think that the change to a 2b design were made soon after the start of circulation. |
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Valued Member
Japan
294 Posts |
If we say "it wasn't a design change, but that more of the stem and mountain top started appearing due to a change in how heavy the strike was", how are the devices on the 2a always so much more crisp and clear? Compare any equally graded Type 2a and 2b and the 2a will win the prize for precision every time.
All the feathers look like they can be counted on even a 63-graded 2a, and the lines in Liberty's hair more pristine, but a 2b with that level of detail can't be found.
If we say somehow that "a weaker strike was used for the 2b", why are there details appearing on the "weaker strike" that aren't on the stronger one? (olive branch incuse, third mountain top, etc)
It doesn't add up, unless I'm completely missing something.
You could also say "it was an issue with the mint" but both types can be found in all three mints, and only in 1922. A Type 2a can't be found in later years from what I've seen.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
That is some great information. You should reach out to Roger Burdette as he can be found on the NGC chat board with user name RWB. Roger should be able to answer your question on the reason behind not recognizing these obvious differences. Roger is as good as there is on gathering historical information that could answer the question when the differences took place.
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,108 |
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Posted 04/05/2020 3:24 pm
