The 1924 VAM 5A Broken Wing Peace Dollar is worth anywhere from $40 in circulated condition to over $1,200 in choice uncirculated grades. Finding one of these in your kitchen drawer or an inherited collection is an exciting discovery because it belongs to a category of “Top 50” VAM varieties that collectors actively seek out.
What Makes the 1924 VAM 5A Broken Wing Special
The “Broken Wing” is a specific die variety known as VAM 5A, which stands for Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis, the experts who cataloged these distinct minting quirks. If you are struggling to tell if your coin has this specific mark, you can use a free coin identifier app to get a professional perspective on your collection.
The name comes from a prominent die break on the reverse side of the coin. If you look closely at the eagle’s right wing (the viewer’s left), you will see a raised line of metal that looks like a crack running through the feathers.
This happens when the steel die used to strike the coin begins to shatter under pressure. For everyday Americans, these imperfections are like a “hidden treasure” because they turn a standard silver dollar into a rare collectible. If you want to keep track of your findings quickly, the CoinHix app is an excellent tool for logging your inventory and monitoring market trends.
Determining the Market Value of a 1924 VAM 5A
When it comes to the 1924 VAM 5A Peace Dollar current market price, condition is the most important factor. Most Peace Dollars found in old jars are “Circulated,” meaning they have wear from being used in daily commerce.
Even in average condition, the VAM 5A carries a premium over the melt value of the silver. However, the real money is found in “Mint State” (MS) coins—those that look as shiny as the day they left the Philadelphia Mint. These coins are often sent to grading services like PCGS or NGC to verify their authenticity and grade.
For many casual hunters, the CoinHix app helps bridge the gap by providing high-resolution images to compare with your own coin. Understanding the fair market value for 1924 Peace silver dollars allows you to negotiate effectively if you ever decide to sell to a local coin shop or via an online auction.
| Condition Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Very Fine (VF20) / Extra Fine (XF40) | $45 – $65 |
| About Uncirculated (AU50 – AU58) | $75 – $150 |
| Mint State 63 (MS63) | $250 – $350 |
| Mint State 64 (MS64) | $450 – $600 |
| Mint State 65 (MS65) and Higher | $1,200+ |
Top Tips for Identifying the Broken Wing Variety
To identify the VAM 5A yourself, you should look for the “die crack” on the reverse. Specifically, find the eagle’s wing on the left side of the “ONE DOLLAR” text. The crack typically starts near the eagle’s body and extends diagonally through the wing feathers.
Sometimes, there is also a corresponding crack on the obverse (front) of the coin near the “1” in the date, but the “Broken Wing” on the back is the primary diagnostic. Using 10x magnification is usually necessary to see the fine detail required for a positive ID.
If you find this mark, do not try to clean the coin! Cleaning a rare variety like the 1924 VAM 5A will significantly lower its value. Collectors prefer the natural patina or “toning” that develops over a hundred years. You can use CoinHix to photograph your coin and see how the toning compares to top-selling specimens on the market.
Where to Sell Your 1924 Broken Wing Dollar
Once you’ve confirmed you have the VAM 5A variety, you have several options for selling. Local coin shops are the fastest route, but they may offer a lower price so they can make a profit on the resale. Online marketplaces and specialized numismatic auctions often yield the highest returns for rare die varieties like this one.
Because the VAM 5A is part of the “Top 50” Peace Dollar VAMs, it is a highly liquid asset. This means there is almost always a buyer willing to pay a premium for it. Before selling, ensure you have checked the latest auction records to see what similar grades have sold for recently. This ensures you get every penny of the value your heirloom deserves.
Q: Is every 1924 Peace Dollar a Broken Wing variety?
A: No, the vast majority of 1924 Peace Dollars are the “Normal” variety. The VAM 5A Broken Wing is a specific subset caused by a damaged die and is much rarer than the standard strike.
Q: How can I tell the difference between a scratch and a die crack?
A: A scratch is incuse, meaning it is carved into the surface of the coin. A die crack (like the Broken Wing) is raised above the surface because the metal flowed into a crack in the die during the striking process.
Q: Should I get my 1924 VAM 5A graded by PCGS?
A: If the coin is in Mint State (shows no signs of wear and has original luster), it is generally worth the cost of professional grading. For heavily worn coins, the grading fee might exceed the premium value of the variety.
