1878-S VAM-17 110618

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.

Special Note: The VAM-17 is an Early Die State Variety with three states (or stages); Die State 1, Die State 2, and Die State 3. This Morgan is a Die State 3 specimen. This Variety's unique development, can, and often does, lead to confusion. With that in mind, I strongly suggest that you visit VAMWorld's VAM-17 Page for detailed information. You can access that Page by clicking on 1878-S VAM-17.

OBVERSE ATTRIBUTES: The Ear is doubled on the inside left and slightly doubled on the outside right. The letters LIBR of the Obverse Legend, LIBERTY, are doubled to the left (as viewed). Markers: Five vertically positioned short scratch lines are seen in front of Liberty's Eye. Die file lines can be seen in the gap between the Wheat Leaf and the top Cotton Leaf in a cross-hatched pattern.

Die State 3 Obverse Specifics:

• The doubling on the inside left of the Ear remains, but the doubling on the right outside is no longer visible.
• Both 8s of the Date are shallow.
• The Fourth Right Star is missing one of it's points.
• Additional overpolishing has altered the Morgan design in the region immediately above the Date; altering the edge of the hair swirls and the Obverse Designer's Initial.

REVERSE ATTRIBUTES: The D in DOLLAR is doubled at the left top outside and at the left and right bottom outside. A small S Mint Mark is set a bit to the left of center. There is no breakage of the R in the last word of the Reverse Motto, In God We Trust. Horizontally postioned die file lines can be seen between the Eagle's Tail Feathers and the Wreath Bow. These die file lines apply only to Die State 1 and Die State 2 specimens. Marker: A gouge is seen connecting the Wreath's Right Ribbon to Right Laurel Wreath Cluster #5.

Die State 3 Reverse Specifics:

• The horizontal die file lines seen between the Tail Feathers and Wreath Bow on Die State 1 and Die State 2 specimens are not seen on Die State 3 specimens. Instead, fine die file lines are seen between the Tail Feathers and the Wreath Bow. Die file lines can also be seen in and around the Bow itself.
• Like the Date digits 8-8, the letters ED-STA of the Reverse Legend, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, are shallow.
• The Field has been exposed in some areas of the Eagle's Wings and Tail Feathers.

COMMENTS ON THIS COIN:

• This coin has all the attributes associated with the VAM-17 and has been certified by the ANACS as a VAM-17.
• One of the Obverse die markers of the VAM-17 is the presence of five vertically positioned scratch lines in front of Liberty's Eye. This specimen has only four scratches with the topmost scratch near the eyelid. While the Base Description notes a die marker of five scratches, one of the comments found in VAMWorld's VAM-17 Page states that the VAM-17 can be ... "Instantly identified by a series of four tiny gouges in a diagonal line in front of eye up to the tip of the eyelid". Therefore, I believe this coin meets that die marker description.
• The other Obverse die marker noted in the VAM-17 Page are die file lines found at the gap between the Wheat Leaf and the Cotton Leaf. They are described as being "cross-hatched". While my coin does not have a clearly defined "cross-hatched" appearance, it certainly looks as though it had that "crossed-hatched" pattern at one time.
• The Reverse die marker, a gouge connecting the Wreath's Right Ribbon to Right Laurel Wreath Cluster #5, is present. However, only a small portion of the gouge is clearly visible.

VAMWorld Main Topics: [ 1878-S VAM-17 ] [ 1878-S VAMs ]

VAMWorld Personal Topic Pages: [ rodmeader Home ] [ VAM-17 ]

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SiverDye 1878-S Varieties: [ 1878-S Base ] [ 17 ]

SiverDye VAM-17 Topics: [ Base ]

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Galleries

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Full Coin

1878-S VAM-17 RTM110618
Comment: IMAGE PROCESSED BY SILVER DYE PHOTOGRAPHY	Comment: IMAGE PROCESSED BY SILVER DYE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Date and Mint Mark

1878-S VAM-17 RTM110618
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Die Markers

1878-S VAM-17 RTM110618
Comment: I see four scratches (Arrowed). VAMWorld's VAM-17 Page notes five scratches in its Basic Description. Please see first comment under the section entitled COMMENTS ON THIS COIN.	Comment: Crossed-hatched Die File Lines (Arrowed). My specimen doesn't show the cross-hatched pattern as noted in VAMWorld's VAM-17 Page.
Comment: Gouge connecting the right Wreath Ribbon and Right Laurel Wreath Cluster #5 (Arrowed).	Comment:

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Attributed Features

1878-S VAM-17 RTM110618
Comment: The 8s are shallow.	Comment: The effects of overpolishing can easily be seen (Arrowed). Also note that the Obverse Designer's Initial has been significantly affected by the overpolishing, as are the hair swirls just north of the arrows.
Comment: The 4th Right Star is missing a point (Arrowed)	Comment: Doubling of the Ear (Arrowed).
Comment: Doubled LIBERTY (some Arrowed).	Comment: Doubling of D (Arrowed).
Comment: Mint Mark set left.	Comment: Exposed Field (some Arrowed).
Comment: Exposed Field (some Arrowed).	Comment: Die file lines in Field between the Tail Feathers and Bow. They are also present in and around the Bow.

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General of Noted Features

1878-S VAM-17 RTM110618
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Regional

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-- RodMe - 06 Nov 2018