1878-P VAM-34A

Description

The 1878-P Morgan Dollar VAM-34A struck on the Reverse of 1878 shares the 4TF, Clashed Obverse t attribution and Hot 50 designation with its Reverse of 1879 counterpart, but the Reverse of 1878 die distinguishes this specimen within the series. Discovered by Jeff Oxman in September 2004, this variety is identified by a faint partial incuse impression of the t from "Trust" transferred to the obverse during a clashing event, representing an extremely rare die pairing for the 1878-P. The Reverse of 1878 is the eight-tail-feather reverse used on early 1878-P Morgan Dollars, predating the transition to the redesigned 1879 reverse style — placing this VAM-34A specimen in the chronologically earlier production run of the 1878 Philadelphia issue. The Hot 50 recognition reflects the rarity and historical importance of the clashed variety on this specific reverse die. Collectors distinguishing between the two VAM-34A parents should confirm reverse die attribution by the tail feather count and reverse design details alongside the obverse t clash impression. The 90% silver Morgan Dollar series began in 1878, with 1921 dates part of the master die.

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