1922-D S$1

Description

1922-D Peace Dollar, PCGS MS-65. The 1922-D represents the inaugural Peace dollar coinage at the Denver Mint and remains the most prolific Denver Mint issue of this iconic series. With a mintage of over 15 million coins—more than double the next closest Denver date and nearly twelve times the lowest mintage Peace dollar—the 1922-D was produced in extraordinary quantities. This particular example, graded PCGS MS-65 (Certificate #54209273), represents a significant step above the typical survivor, as most circulating examples and hoard coins are found in MS-60 to MS-64 grades. The MS-65 grade places this coin among the scarcer examples, with only 480 coins graded higher than this across the entire population of 1,453 PCGS-certified pieces. This coin exhibits the characteristic striking qualities of Denver Mint Peace dollars, with generally satisfactory obverse definition but often-softer reverse strikes, particularly at the eagle's center—a result of dies spaced too widely during production. The 1922-D is known for variable strike quality and surface characteristics, including occasional "orange peel" texture and bagmarks from extended storage in mint bags during the 1940s-1950s and subsequent hoards. Fully struck examples with clean surfaces command premiums over softly struck coins, making aesthetic quality a key consideration for collectors. The 1922-D holds significant numismatic interest beyond its common status in lower grades. Contemporary records indicate that Uncirculated examples were still available at face value plus postage as late as 1934. Large hoards remained available through the mid-1950s, and a significant 50-bag hoard (50,000 coins) entered the market in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Despite its high mintage, truly pleasing MS-65 examples with sharp striking and minimal bagmarking remain elusive, rewarding collectors who invest time in careful selection. Specimens with reverse rotations of 45-50 degrees and semi-prooflike mirroring occasionally appear and are considered notable curiosities.