1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1879 - VAM-226A

Description

A second listing occurrence for the 1878-P VAM-226A "Doubled Lower Reverse, Clashed Obverse n" variety, this entry represents an alternate die pairing or strike type sharing the same VAM designation within the comprehensive Van Allen-Mallis Morgan Dollar catalog. The II 1 C3c classification and (194) sequence number match the primary VAM-226A entry, with the obverse die (II1) exhibiting the characteristic faint incuse "n" from the reverse "In" inscription transferred during an unprotected die clash event next to Liberty's neck. Discovery in 2009 places this variety among the later additions to the 1878-P VAM population, discovered more than a century after the coins were originally struck. The 1878 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar serves as the cornerstone date for the entire series, and the extensive VAM catalog for this single date-mint reflects decades of sustained study by specialists. With dates integral to the master die for the 1878 production run, date position variation between working dies is absent — an important diagnostic negative that helps attributors focus on other die characteristics when distinguishing between the numerous 1878-P varieties. The doubled lower reverse component (C3c) represents a hub doubling event on the reverse die that specifically affects the lower design elements — the wreath bow, ribbon ends, and possibly the lower portions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — while the clash mark on the obverse records a separate operational incident. George T. Morgan's inaugural-year design produced dies under the Bland-Allison Act's silver purchase mandate, and the high production volumes generated the extensive die population from which 226-plus primary VAM numbers have been documented.

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