1878-P VAM-14

Description

Discovered by LVA in April 1973, VAM-14 under the Reverse of 1879 parent is classified I1 2 · A1j with a die chip in the ear. The obverse shows Doubled Motto (class 193): strong hub doubling of ONE, UNITED, STATES, OF, and IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse A1j, with slight doubling of M, E, I, and A in AMERICA, D, O, and R in DOLLAR, the right star, and wreath elements. Two small feathers were added to the eagle's right side, and one small and one long feather appear on the eagle's left between the leg and wing bottom — hallmarks of the Reverse of 1879 die type used on this VAM. In 1878 the date was part of the master die, so there is no variation in date position (DPIS not applicable). A die chip in Liberty's ear is the key die marker and the source of the variety's "Chip In Ear" name. The 1878-P Morgan Dollar is a 90% silver Philadelphia Mint issue. The Reverse of 1879 parent context is essential for this attribution; the identical VAM-14 designation also appears under the Reverse of 1878 parent as a separate listing — see that entry for the die-type distinction.

External References