1878 Morgan Dollar - Reverse of 1878 - VAM-80B

Description

Paired with the Reverse of 1878 tail feather arrangement, this Philadelphia Morgan dollar is designated VAM-80B with classification II/1 6 and a B1b reverse, formally titled Doubled LIBERTY, Wheat Leaves, Grains, Disconnected Leaves, Breaks and Lines Lower Reverse. Discovered in 2017, the reverse B1b die shows isolated long polishing lines at the lower reverse field, and in its late die state the variety develops peripheral die cracks running all around the circumference at the outer edge of the lettering with displaced field breaks encircling the entire coin. Because 1878 dates were part of the master die, there is no variation in date position across this issue. VAM-80B represents the most common die state stage of this particular die pair, occurring between the earlier 1878-P VAM-80 and the later 1878-P VAM-80A. The Reverse of 1878 designation refers to the eight tail feather arrangement and specific eagle design details that distinguish it from the later Reverse of 1879 hub, and collectors should verify the tail feather configuration to properly classify their specimens under this listing.

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