2016-03-12 Sat

1879-S Morgan, Reverse of 1878 was first used in 1878 and is identified by its flat low relief eagle with a slightly concave centre on its breast and parallel upper arrow feather. On the other hand, the Reverse of 1879 has a higher relief eagle with a rounded breast and a slanted upper arrow feather. Six distinct Reverse of 1878 dies were used for a portion of the 1879-S Morgan dollar coinage.

21 varieties are now listed in this group, out of which many are common except for some specific combinations in this group which are extremely rare and valued at a high price.

The VAM-34B variety was discovered by Brian Raines in September 2003 and catalogued by Leroy Van Allen in New VAM Varieties of Morgan Dollars. The Reverse of 1878 group is also in The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys. Most of the roughly two dozen known examples are in the Very Fine range.

The 1879-S Morgan, Reverse of 1878 is easily recognized by noting a vertical gouge in the base of the eagle’s left (viewer’s right) wing. The obverse of a VAM-34B has a short die gouge from the left edge of one of the upper cotton leaves. Beware though, as another variety that shares this exact reverse has a similar yet weaker gouge in the same location.

Late-die stage features are always present as the VAM-34B obverse was used in several other combinations as well. A void in the hair is found directly under the designer’s initial and a small die break appears at the lower left of the digit 8.