SBG

1921 Peace Dollar - Glossy Luster, Strong Strike & Light Cameo Contrast

Judging by the Glossy Mint Luster, Strong Strike and Light Cameo Contrast this coin was more than likely one of the Early Die State coins struck on Dec 28, 1921 (1st mintage day) using the higher (150 tons per sq in) pressure. (Reference the following excerpt from Roger Burdette's - A Guide Book of Peace Dollars).

"Manufacturing standard silver dollars was hard on equipment and dies. The steel of the time could not tolerate much more than 150 tons per square inch of pressure and even that was far above the practical limit of about 120 tons.

At available pressure, the relief of central obverse and central reverse were too great to allow full metal flow into the design. The centers of the portrait and eagle are the most common places of defective detail, but problems extended to lettering, rays and other details.

When the first 1921 Peace Dollars were put into production, the engraver had pressure set well above normal in hopes of getting more detail. The designer was present on that day. But, as soon as striking began, so did the problems. The pressure was so high that steel dies failed catastrophically - they "exploded" rather than just cracking or collapsing. At the end of the day the engraver halted production, and after some tests the next day, resumed with reduced striking pressure - hence the poorly detailed coins common for 1921.

Only the first day's production were minimally acceptable to the designer or engraver. The coins with very good central detail AND fully formed letters and rays are the best that were made. Some of the pieces described as "proofs" don't have any more detail than good circulation coins and were probably not made on a medal press. - as are all proof coins of that era."

Here's my most recent 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar purchase that I'm pleased to share with my fellow forum members.

I'm looking forward to seeing your comments and observations about strike, variety and luster.

1921 High Relief Peace Dollar