1878-P VNC-41B 032416

Characteristics are described with a degree of granularity intended for die identification more so than for die classification. A characteristic may not span the entire die progression. Thus, not all characteristics may be present in any one coin.

OBVERSE ATTRIBUTES: A partial incused n is found next to Liberty's Neck Line. Additionally, Liberty's nostril is missing due to overpolishing and the 4th Right Star is broken. Marker: Small die gouge to the right of the lower of the two top Cotton Leaves and broken fourth Right Star.

REVERSE ATTRIBUTES: Remnants of the tips of 7 Tail Feathers of the original 8 Tail Feather Morgan show just below the 7 Tail Feathers of the redesigned Morgan. Marker: None.

Please note the following:

• The VAM-41, VAM-41B, VAM-41A, and VAM-41C are members of 7/8 Tail Feather Reverse. The first year that the Morgan Silver Dollar was minted was 1878. Shortly after the minting process began, it was discovered that the original design of the American Eagle was in error because eagles do not have 8 tail feathers; they have 7. Because the law required the Treasury to produce millions of Morgan Silver Dollars each month, there wasn't time to dispose of the exiting dies and wait for the new dies to arrive. Consequently, the Mint altered the design on the exiting dies from 8 to 7 tail feathers by overpunching the new 7 Tail Feather design over the 8 tail feather dies. As a result, the 1878 "7 Over 8" Reverse was born. The "7 over 8" feature is commonly referred to as the 7/8 Tail Feather Morgan Silver Dollar.
• The letter suffixes of these VAMs are out of die progression order because they were discoved out of order.
• The VAM-41B is the clashed version of the VAM-41 with no additional polishing of the Eagle's Tail Feather region. As a result, the VAM-41B has the 7/7 Tail Feather feature that is present on the VAM-41. Although the VAM-41A and VAM-41C share the same Reverse of the VAM-41 and VAM-41B, additional polishing in the Tail Feather region occurred, leaving a 7/4 Tail Feather feature.
• Because the VAM-41 and VAM-41B share the same Obverse die, both the die gouge marker and the broken star are present. While the VAM-41A and VAM-41C are members of the VAM-41 base family, they do not share the same Obverse die that was used to mint the VAM-41 and VAM-41B.

COMMENTS ON THIS COIN:

• This coin has all of the attributes normally associated with the VAM-41B. While this coin certainly appears to be a VAM-41B, my Page Heading notes this as a Variety Not Certified (VNC) as it hasn't been certified by the PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or confirmed by VSS.
• The Obverse clash line is seen a bit below the Jaw and Neck joint. That line was created by the clashing of the Eagle's Right Wing.
• It appears that a counter clash is seen along Liberty's Neck Line and in front of her Eye.
• The Reverse clash line runs from the Eagle's Right Wing to just right of the n of first word in the Reverse Motto, In God We Trust. The clash line was created by the clashing of Liberty's Neck Line.
• Limb-like features can be seen beneath the Olive Branch and positioned between the Olive and the Olive Branch Leaves. Please see Image 16za in the section entitled Features of Special Interest below.
• A feature is seen exiting the Eagle's lower mandible. Please see Image 16zb in the section entitled Features of Special Interest below.
• Clash marks are seen on Left Laurel Wreath Clusters #1 and #2. These marks were created by the clashing of Liberty's Nostril to Chin area.
• A Bat-Wing feature is seen between the Eagle's Left Wing and Right Wreath Clusters #1 and #2. That feature was created by the clashing of the bottom third portion of the Phrygian Cap (Cap Vee area).

VAMWorld Main Topics: [ 1878-P VAM-41B ] [ 1878-P VAMs ]

VAMWorld Personal Topic Pages: [ rodmeader Home ] [ VAM-41B ]

VAMWorld Message Board: [ VWID 00/00/00 ]

SiverDye 1878-P Varieties: [ 1878-P Base ] [ 41B ]

SiverDye VAM-41B Topics: [ Base ]

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Galleries

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Full Coin

1878-P VNC-41B RTM032416
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Date and Mint Mark

1878-P VNC-41B RTM032416
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Attributes

1878-P VNC-41B RTM032416
Comment: The VAM-41B has a patially incused n along Liberty's Neck Line. I can't tell if this specimen has that incused n.	Comment: 7/7 Tail Feather configuration (Boxed). This Tail Feather configuration is the hallmark of the VAM-41 and VAM-41B.
Comment: DIE MARKER - Small die gouge (Arrowed). The die gouge is present on VAM-41 and VAM-41B; but, is not present on the VAM-41A and VAM-41C. The VAM-41A and VAM-41C do not share the same Obverse die that was used to mint the VAM-41 and VAM-41B.	Comment: This die gouge is also present on VAMs 34, 34A, 39, 39A, and 39B.
Comment: Broken 4th Right Star (Arrowed). In varying degrees, the broken 4th Right Star is present on VAM-41, 41B, 41A, and 41C.	Comment: The broken Star is also present on VAMs 34, 34A, 39, 39A, and 39B.
Comment: Missing nostril (Arrowed). This feature was created by overpolishing. The missing nostril is present on VAM-41 and VAM-41B; but not on VAM-41A and VAM-41C.	Comment:

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General or Noted Features

1878-P VNC-41B RTM032416
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Features of Special Interest

1878-P VNC-41B RTM032416
Comment: The arrowed features are, to varying degree, present on VAMs 41, 41B, 41A, 41C. They are also present on VAMs 34, 34A, 39, 39A, and 39B.	Comment: A photograph of the arrowed feature was posted only to the VAM-41B Main Topic Page. I don't know if this feature is also present VAMs 41, 41A, and 41C.
Comment: The arrow is pointing at what I believe to be a counter clash.	Comment: The arrow is pointing to a die scratch. This same die scratch is present on the VAM-39. That VAM's Main Topic Page notes that the die scratch is a unique feature.

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Regional

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Full Coin

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