1878-S VAM-14
Error
Description
Discovered by Bill Deterline in December 1977, the 1878-S VAM-14 is catalogued as 14 II11-B2m — Doubled LIBERTY Left, Engraved Wing Feather. The obverse II11 shows LIBERTY doubled to the left, with the R in TRUST unbroken. The reverse B2m shows a portion of the wings that has been over-polished, affecting the wing feather detail in the affected area; an engraved wing feather within the over-polished zone provides the secondary distinguishing characteristic. The 1878-S Morgan dollar holds collector significance as a first-year San Francisco issue; the Morgan design debuted in 1878 in multiple varieties, and San Francisco output of approximately 9.7 million coins represents one of the larger 1878 mintages. VAM-14's LIBERTY doubling is a distinctive and accessible confirmation point, while the engraved wing feather on the B2m reverse confirms the specific die marriage. Deterline's 1977 discovery came during the early systemization of Morgan dollar VAM research, years before the Van Allen-Mallis reference consolidated known attributions.
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