1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1879 - VAM-227-2

Description

Mark Witkower's discovery VAM-227-2, catalogued as 227-2 II 1 · C3a (Normal Second Obverse, Normal Third Reverse, Die Chip on Wreath), appears under the 1878 Morgan Dollar Reverse of 1879 parent — a distinct attribution from the same-numbered VAM under the Reverse of 1878. The Reverse of 1879 features a redesigned eagle with a rounded breast and slanted top arrow feather, the die style that became standard for subsequent Morgan production. Under this parent, VAM-227-2 occupies a separate production context from the identically numbered variety under the Reverse of 1878. Die markers are the same across both parents: strong polishing lines at the bottom of all LIBERTY letters on the obverse, and on the reverse, a die chip on the third cluster from the bottom of the left wreath plus very slight two-leaf doubling at the top of the left wreath. Collectors must confirm the reverse type — Reverse of 1878 versus Reverse of 1879 — to arrive at the correct parent. Because the 1878 date was part of the master die, date position does not vary (DPIS). George T. Morgan's 90% silver design makes 1878-P Morgans foundational dates for the series. =1878-P VAM-227-2 Normal Second Obverse, Normal Third Reverse, Chip on Wreath= 227-2 II 1 · C3a (Normal Second Obverse, Normal Third Reverse, Die Chip on Wreath) (175) Discovered by Mark Witkower.

External References