Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Peace dollar

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Expert: - 2/2/2010


Question
I have a Peace dollar in a PCGS (MS-64) holder that is labeled a 1935-S.  It has 4 rays below the one - however the S is completly missing.  I know Van Allen & Mallis mention a "filled S" but would it be completely absent?

Answer
Hi David:

Thank you for your question.

It is difficult to answer without a photo or seeing the coin, but I'll try. If you want to ask a follow-up question by providing a photo of the reverse side of the coin, I'll modify the answer, if required. It's highly unlikely your coin is a new variety with a filled "S", but it is possible. There is no filled "S" variety listed for this date on the website.

I found a website with a complete PCGS photo graded set of Peace Dollars. see link: http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=14201  I took the 1935-P and the 1935-S and enlarged them. I viewed the photos. Both of the reverses of the coins I viewed only have three rays directly below the ONE.

I also found the website for PEACE Dollar VAM's, and viewed the 1935-S with the extra ray. Not knowing what your coin looks like makes it impossible to give you a good reply. Here is the link for you to compare your coin: http://www.vamworld.com/1935-S+VAM-3  There is an extra ray that points directly to the mintmark. There is no extra ray variety listed for a weak "S" or a "P" mint mark. Here's the link for VAM's known to date for both the 1935-S  http://www.vamworld.com/1935-S+VAMs  and 1935-P  http://www.vamworld.com/1935-P+VAMs

Hope this helps. Again, if you want to send a photo of the reverse of your coin, I'll review and update my original reply.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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