1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1879 - VAM-229

Description

Filed under the Reverse of 1879 die type, this VAM-229 listing represents a distinct die marriage from its Reverse of 1878 counterpart, sharing the same VAM number but paired with the later reverse hub that features a slanted top arrow feather and round breast on the eagle. Discovered by Larry Briggs in October 2002, it carries the classification 229 II 2 · C3d (Doubled Right Wreath & AMERICA) (176) and ranks among the Top 30 varieties for the 1878 Philadelphia Morgan dollar. The obverse die (II 2) exhibits a die chip at the top of the forehead and a broken fourth right star point. On the C3d reverse, some doubled leaves appear in each cluster of the right wreath, with doubling also visible on the bottom inside of the AMERICA letters towards the rim. As with all 1878 issues, dates were part of the master die, eliminating positional variation. Originally cataloged with a C3e reverse in the supplement, this was later corrected to C3d. Early die state examples present two-sided prooflike surfaces. Collectors should note the reverse hub type to correctly distinguish this die marriage from the Reverse of 1878 VAM-229.

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