1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1879 - VAM-212

Description

Carrying the Reverse of 1879 die — identified by its slanted top tail feather arrangement that differs from the parallel feathers on the 1878 reverse — this 1878-P VAM-212 Morgan Dollar was renumbered in November 2022 and is classified II 2 with a C2a reverse. The obverse features a diagonal line through the middle of I and the lower part of B in LIBERTY, curving downward from B into the hair and extending upward from I across the wheat leaf, accompanied by a horizontal die scratch on the lower lip and a tiny die chip at the bottom right of the nose. The C2a reverse shares its die characteristics with VAM-210A, including a small die chip between the left two tail feathers. This variety was formerly designated VAM 210B1 before renumbering. The Reverse of 1879 pairing places this coin among the transitional die combinations created when the Mint began using redesigned reverse dies partway through 1878 production. Distinguishing this from its Reverse of 1878 counterpart requires examining tail feather orientation, making reverse die identification the critical first step in attribution. Notes: Die gouge/scratch through LIBERTY.

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