1878 Morgan Dollar Varieties Worth Knowing

The first year of the Morgan dollar is not a one-coin proposition. The 1878 Morgan dollar varieties reflect a fast-moving redesign process at the Philadelphia Mint, with visible changes to the eagle reverse that can turn an ordinary-looking silver dollar into a far more specialized collectible. For a collector building a date set, a variety set, or a certified Morgan dollar cabinet, knowing which reverse is in hand matters before a grade or price discussion even begins.

The easiest starting point is the eagle's tail. Early 1878 dollars were struck with eight tail feathers. Later production used seven, but the seven-tail-feather coins exist with more than one reverse hub. A transitional 7/8 tail-feather variety adds another layer. These are not minor die cracks or tiny polishing marks. They are major design distinctions that can be identified from clear photographs, though confirmation is always wise before paying a premium.

Why 1878 Morgan Dollars Have So Many Varieties

George T. Morgan's dollar entered production in 1878 as the Treasury began purchasing large quantities of silver under the Bland-Allison Act. The Mint was under pressure to produce coins, yet the new design was still being refined. The eagle on the original reverse carried eight tail feathers, a detail that drew criticism because the bald eagle normally has an odd number of tail feathers.

The Mint responded by changing the design to seven feathers. That change did not happen in a single clean step. Different reverse hubs, die pairings, and transitional combinations entered use, creating the principal varieties collectors recognize today. Philadelphia is the key mint for the major tail-feather types, but 1878 Carson City and San Francisco dollars also offer their own VAM-attributed die varieties for specialists.

The result is a date that rewards close examination. A common 1878 Philadelphia Morgan dollar can be an affordable entry into the series, while a scarcer major variety, a highly regarded VAM, or a sharply struck certified example can command a substantially different market level.

The Major 1878 Morgan Dollar Varieties

8 Tail Feathers, or 8TF

The 8 Tail Feathers variety is the original reverse design. Count the distinct feathers at the base of the eagle's tail, not the layered feather detail elsewhere in the design. On a properly preserved example, eight separate tail feathers are apparent.

This is the variety many collectors seek first because it represents the initial 1878 production. It is also a useful benchmark for understanding the later changes. An 8TF coin is not automatically rare, especially in circulated grades, but demand remains strong because it is a major first-year subtype. Attractive luster, clean fields, a sharp strike, and original surfaces can make a meaningful difference in a certified coin's desirability.

7 Tail Feathers, Reverse of 1878

After the tail-feather change, the Mint used a seven-tail-feather reverse that retained the earlier arrow-feather arrangement. This is commonly called the 7TF Reverse of 1878, or 7TF Rev. of 1878.

The most practical diagnostic is found in the eagle's right claw, which appears on the viewer's left. Look at the fletching on the arrows. On the Reverse of 1878, the arrow feathers are generally described as parallel. The feather lines appear more nearly level and aligned when compared with the later reverse.

This variety is a true design subtype, not merely a catalog wording preference. Collectors who want all major 1878 Philadelphia reverses need it, and third-party certification labels often state the attribution. Still, the label should match the coin. When evaluating an uncertified piece, compare the reverse carefully rather than relying on a seller's tail-feather count alone.

7 Tail Feathers, Reverse of 1879

The 7TF Reverse of 1879 uses the revised reverse design that later became standard. It also has seven tail feathers, so tail count by itself will not separate it from the Reverse of 1878.

Again, the arrow feathers provide the key. On the Reverse of 1879, their arrangement is slanted rather than parallel. Once a collector has examined clear images of both reverses side by side, the distinction becomes much easier to recognize. On worn coins, however, the fletching can be weak, abraded, or obscured by toning. In those cases, a certified attribution or an experienced variety examination has real value.

The Reverse of 1879 is frequently encountered among 1878 Philadelphia dollars, but availability should not be confused with uniform quality. Choice Mint State coins with strong cartwheel luster and minimal marks in Liberty's cheek remain difficult to locate. The right coin for a date-and-type collector may differ from the right coin for a top-grade registry-oriented set.

7 Over 8 Tail Feathers, or 7/8TF

The transitional 7/8 Tail Feathers variety is one of the most interesting 1878 Morgan dollar varieties. It resulted when a seven-tail-feather design was impressed over an earlier eight-tail-feather hub. The finished coin shows seven prominent feathers, with traces of an underlying eighth feather visible in the right area of the tail.

This is not a variety to attribute casually from a soft online image. Die state, strike quality, circulation wear, contact marks, and photography can all make the diagnostic difficult to see. A reputable certification from PCGS or NGC, with the variety identified on the holder, provides an added level of confidence. For raw coins, proper lighting and magnification are essential, and an attribution should be supported by the correct diagnostics rather than an optimistic reading of a shadow in the tail.

Major Design Types and VAM Varieties Are Different Things

A common source of confusion is the use of the word "variety" for two related but different collecting categories. The 8TF, 7TF Reverse of 1878, 7TF Reverse of 1879, and 7/8TF coins are major design varieties. They are broadly recognized subtypes created by changes to the reverse hubs.

VAM varieties are die varieties cataloged through the Van Allen-Mallis system. A VAM attribution may involve doubled letters, date placement, mintmark position, die gouges, die breaks, clashed dies, or other repeatable features from a specific die marriage. An 1878 Morgan dollar can therefore be both a major tail-feather subtype and a particular VAM.

That distinction affects how a coin should be priced. A normal 7TF Reverse of 1879 dollar and a scarce VAM with the same reverse are not interchangeable. At the same time, not every VAM deserves a large premium. Market interest depends on rarity, the visibility of the diagnostic, the variety's standing among specialists, the coin's grade, and whether the attribution is recognized on a major grading-service label.

What to Examine Before Buying

Start with the mintmark. Major tail-feather subtype collecting centers on 1878 Philadelphia issues, which have no mintmark above the DO in DOLLAR. An 1878-CC carries the small CC mintmark, while an 1878-S carries an S. Do not assume that every 1878 Morgan dollar is eligible for the same 8TF, 7TF, or 7/8TF design classification.

Then evaluate the coin as a coin, not just as a variety. A genuine and correctly attributed piece can still be a poor purchase if it has been harshly cleaned, has unattractive dark spots, shows significant rim damage, or is priced as though it were a much higher grade. On Mint State examples, inspect Liberty's cheek and the open fields for contact marks. On circulated coins, look for natural wear and undisturbed surfaces rather than artificially bright silver.

Certification is particularly useful for 1878 varieties because it places grade, authenticity, and often the major designation on one transparent label. It does not replace personal judgment. Two coins graded the same can have very different eye appeal, strike quality, and surface preservation. Review both sides of the actual coin, along with the certification number when one is provided.

Building an 1878 Variety Set With Purpose

A satisfying four-coin Philadelphia set includes the 8TF, 7TF Reverse of 1878, 7TF Reverse of 1879, and 7/8TF. That is a focused way to tell the story of the Morgan dollar's first-year redesign without trying to acquire every known die marriage.

Collectors with a deeper interest can add VAM-attributed examples, pursue high-grade certified representatives, or compare the Philadelphia issues with 1878-CC and 1878-S dollars. The better path depends on budget and collecting goals. A collector who values history may prefer original circulated examples with clear diagnostics, while a condition-focused buyer may wait for premium-quality Mint State coins with strong luster and trusted certification.

Before making a final decision, ask one practical question: can you clearly explain why this particular 1878 dollar belongs in your collection? If the answer is its reverse type, VAM attribution, grade, mint origin, or exceptional eye appeal, you are collecting with a purpose - and that purpose will guide better purchases over time.