1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1879 - VAM-228

Description

Completing the VAM-228 pair, this Reverse of 1879 variant features the seven-tail-feather configuration that became the standard Morgan Dollar reverse from late 1878 onward. Where the Reverse of 1878 version of VAM-228 carries eight tail feathers in the original arrangement, this seven-feather counterpart uses the revised hub that George T. Morgan refined after initial production. The transition between reverse hubs mid-year makes 1878 the only date in the Morgan series where both tail feather configurations coexist, creating parallel VAM catalogs for the two reverse types. Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis documented these die marriages as separate entries, recognizing that the reverse hub type fundamentally distinguishes the coins even when obverse dies might share characteristics. The high sequential number of 228 reflects decades of continued die study building on Van Allen and Mallis's foundational work. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets, this seven-feather variety is identified by counting the tail feathers on the eagle — seven parallel feathers confirm the Reverse of 1879 hub, distinguishing it from the eight-feather Reverse of 1878 counterpart.

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