1878 (S) Morgan Dollar - VAM-30A

Description

VAM-30A on the 1878-S Morgan Dollar was discovered by Jason Henrichsen in 2010 and represents one of the more attribute-rich varieties in the San Francisco Mint issue of the series' inaugural year. The die pair is catalogued as 30A, obverse II2 18, reverse B2r, die pair 181, with the full attribution: Quadrupled LIBERTY, Doubled Nostril and Eyelid, Engraved Wing Feather, Die Break U. The quadrupling of LIBERTY — four distinct impressions of the obverse legend — is the most immediately striking diagnostic. The nostril and eyelid of Liberty's portrait each show clear doubling, adding a second layer of obverse interest. An engraved wing feather on the eagle represents deliberate die work, likely a die-cutter's correction or enhancement. A die break at the U in UNUM completes the reverse diagnostics. The obverse die also shows a radial die crack from the rim through the right side. The 1878-S Morgan Dollar was struck in 90% silver at the San Francisco Mint in the design's first year of production. Cross-reference: VAM-30A, die pair 181.

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