Peace Dollars of 1921-22

TN027_034 4/5/07 4:09 PM Page 33 S I LV E R D O L L A R S Ⅲ N E I L S . B E R M A N Peace Dollars of 1921-22 The U.S. Mint generated 11 varieties of this beautiful coin in the first two years of production. during its first year of issue (not to four brilliant proofs have been docu- mention it was considered by some to mented, and a satin proof recently HE PEACE DOLLAR be one of the most attractive coins of sold for $36,800. was designed by the 20th century). One 1922 Peace dollar is unique— Anthony de Francisci Some proofs of the 1921 high-relief the medium-relief proof, cataloged (1887-1964), a profes- Peace dollar display a satin finish; by J. Hewitt Judd in United States Pat- sional sculptor and medalist. according to Walter Breen’s Encyclo- tern, Experimental and Trial Pieces as Originally intended to commemorate pedia of U.S. and Colonial Proof No. 2020. Interestingly, the reverse the end of the Great War (1914-18), Coins, 1722-1989, between seven and displays almost a standard, low relief. the coin was struck until 1935. ten examples are known. Last year, a The 1922 low-relief business strikes The high relief of the first issues Proof-67 example sold by Heritage are among the most common of all was unsatisfactory for production, Auction Galleries brought $69,000. Peace dollars, with 51 million made. requiring multiple strikes to bring High-relief Peace dollar proofs also Popular and inexpensive, this type is up the design and causing unneces- are known with a matte finish; the available in all grades. sary die wear, similar to the prob- mintage is unknown, but Breen esti- At least two 1922 low-relief proofs lems encountered with the high- mated six to eight, with the American are known with a matte, fully sand- relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle Numismatic Society and the Smith- blasted finish. One, from the Norweb ($20 gold) in 1907. Subsequently, the sonian Institution each claiming one Collection, sold for $92,000 at a Her- hubs and dies were redesigned with specimen. In 2006 an example was itage Signature Sale in 2006. Last, a lower profile. sold by Heritage for $37,375. but not least, a 1922 low-relief satin These manufacturing changes dur- In 1922, the Mint produced 22,000 proof, mintage unknown, realized ing the first two years of minting the high-relief business strikes; all but $63,250 in that same sale. Peace dollar series resulted in 11 basic one, possibly two, were destroyed be- There you have it—11 varieties of varieties (distinguished by differences fore their release. (One was certified Peace dollars in less than two full in relief and finish): by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation years of production. Next month, I’ll in 2001.) Proof 1922 high-relief Peace take a look at the “tailfeather” vari- 1921: High-relief business strike dollars are known with a matte finish; eties of George Morgan’s 1878 dollar. High-relief satin proof Breen identified at least five. Another [email protected] High-relief matte proof 1922: High-relief business strike High-relief brilliant proof High-relief satin proof High-relief matte proof Medium-relief brilliant proof Low-relief business strike Low-relief satin proof Low-relief matte proof M The first Peace dollar is the com- U E S mon, but ever popular, 1921 high- U M relief business strike, with a mintage A N of just over a million. It is available in A : S almost every grade a collector could ᮡ Relatively common, high-relief 1921 business- O T want, from circulated to gem mint strike Peace dollars are popular with collectors. O H P state, as it was saved in great quantity w w w . m o n e y . o r g M A Y 2 0 0 7 • N U M I S M A T I S T 33.

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