The Unique 1934D Doubled Die Peace Dollar Summery

Many people are casually aware of their existence but might not know the full story of the 1934-d Doubled Die Peace Dollar. This special issue has caught my imagination for a couple of reasons and is often forgotten as it is just "another VAM". I see it as one of the very few and strongest naked eye Doubled die silver dollars in American history. This fun regular Redbook not only has dramatic doubling to the profile, eye, tiara and the words (God We) but is also found with two naked eye different Rev Dies (Large filled MM and small high) and is one of only a handful of examples of easy die pair matching in the 20th. Making this especially interesting is the fact that it appears that the Doubled Die went through a full production run and can be picked unattributed and raw with a little looking, most often with the Large D Rev with accounts for at least 95% of the production run.



Die pair matching is common of 19th American issues as many parts of the die were applied by hand where one obv is found with multiple Rev dies and vise verse but as manufacturing processes were perfected it gets harder to find one determinable difference on one side let alone both that can be mixed and matched. The double die Obv die is known with both a Large D and a small D mint mark. This is further expanded as both of those mint marks are known with non-doubled Obv dies as well as the Error die.

From my studies I have concluded that the Micro D came 2nd as I have found die cracks on the DDO die only with the small D die in a couple of different progressions. Also of note, the Large D Rev when paired to the Non-doubled Obv Die is not always filled and less filled on EDS. This leads me to believe that the flow went like this.
Non-DDO Obv/Large D>>>DDO Obv/Large D>>>DDO Obv/small D>>>Non-DDO Obv/small D

The Large D is not rare and only scarce in UNC, I have seen over 100 UNC in holders attributed and unattributed over the years up to 66+. It can often be plucked off of silver dollar tables at just about any show in Cir Grades for normal prices.

The Small D is a legitimate rarity in just about all grades. What little that were produced appears to have entered circulation maybe in just one or two bags. Most often found in VF-XF and often with problems such as cleaning/mishandling/counting damage. Anecdotal stories speak of mostly being found out west when they were originally discovered coupled with heavy circulation I would guess Casinos. With less than 200 total known it also is a condition rarity in UNC with only about 2 dozen graded with the max being MS64. These are known as the King of the Peace Dollars and resubmissions are prevalent and the pops fairly stable. People have been looking for these for a number of years with little luck after the initial push.
Thought I would share a interesting & fun American Silver dollar abnormality. My personal examples in a matched PCGS Double Holder

 

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Very informative explanation of the minting and differences in the small and large D.
Just curious though, is the mint mark position paramount in determining small D versus large D? In other words has anyone seen a small D mm more in the position of the large D as shown in these pictures?
Also, what is the determining factor of the DDO? Are the split rays the definitive characteristic? Does there have to be further doubling at the forehead/nose to make it the DDO? Any help/answers are much appreciated.
thanks,
scot

 

The doubled tiara is the pick-up-point I use and can be seen very easily. I've never seen one of these without the doubled profile and partially doubled motto. As far as I know only two reverse dies were used paired with the DDO and both show different placements of the MM but for each type the MM placement is the same. Some of the later die state medium D will show a filled D. I've cherried many of the medium D and two of the small D over the years.

 

Strangely, I cherried both of the Small D coins at the same show (PAN) and consecutively from the same dealer about 20 years ago. Both graded AU.

 

BTW, Crypto, that's a very well done synopsis you've done there. That obv die must have been removed from service very shortly after it was paired with the second rev die.

 

Thanks coinquest1961 for all your insight. This is a very interesting VAM.
scot

 

Funny I wrote this 2 1/2 years ago. The small D is known all over the MM portion of the Rev but only in that spot with the DDO. And that is the only Large D rev for the year. It is much bigger and most often filled so it is easy to spot. I like it as the vam 4 is the only rare peace dollar in the redbook that isn't a proof.

 

Thanks crypto79, your original post on the 34-D DDO is the best one out there on the net. I just bought several of these DDO's on an internet auction(internet photos), so I was curious as the D mm's appeared small and unfilled, but were in the wrong position as per your diagram. Also while the tiara's were clearly doubled, I couldn't make out further forehead or nose doubling(again low quality internet photos). I'll receive the coins next week, and suspect they will be large D varieties(based on mm position) as you and coinquest1961 stated.
Thanks again for your knowledge on this interesting VAM.
regards,
scot

 

Even tho the large "D" is kinda common this is still a monster doubled die-I could see it right through a dealer's glass case. I have several of the large "D"-one for my Peace Dollar date set, one for my Peace Dollar Top half dozen VAM set, and one for my type coin doubled die set. All are MS62; one is a very early die state-I cherried that one less than a year ago online. I LOVE the variety-to me it's easily as evident as the '88-O "Hot Lips."

 

Nice write up, Nice double slab, and killer small d!

 

now im goiig to have to go through my set to see if i can find both

 

I have specialized in these for over a decade and have found 1 raw small d at a show in baulk silver (rim dinged VF) and two low end cleaned VFs off of eBay. Most of the small D DDO in the wild are gone sad to say. You can still find large Ds from time to time even UNCs in holders.

 

Great post @crypto79 ! Peace, brother!

 

I am writing on the chance you know of pictures showing the high micro D as opposed to the low micro D, and perhaps the normal die micro D if that exists, or is they are all quantified into the high and low varieties. I have checked the VAM pages on the web, but would like to see more full reverse photos.

 

You need this guy. @messydesk

 

There is only one micro D reverse paired with the doubled obverse. There are other micro D reverses for 1934-D that do not have a doubled obverse. These may have the D in a slightly difference position from that on the VAM 4.

 

I have a small d 1934 peace dollar that has doubling of just the date. The 1 and 4 doubling is not as prevalent as the 9 and the 3 doubling, but all are clearly doubled. I've got some pictures through a 10x loupe to show as accurately as can, but still isnt as good as when actually viewing. I can't find any info on such an error in this peace dollar year as yet. Is it possible I've located a new error in this peace dollar? Any responses would be appreciated! Will try to post pictures. Ty Don

 

This is an example of strike doubling. The die hit the coin twice, and on the second contact, smashed part of the struck design.

In honor of the late JT Stanton, I recommend this article on the subject.

 

I picked one of the VAM-3 (I think it is a VAM-3a) from a dealer that I just got back from grading. Nice problem-free AU58. I have always loved them, and I was able to pick this one up for $100.