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<h2>Q. David Bowers</h2>The following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993)<br/><br/>Coinage Context <br/><br/>The final design: The 1878 7 tail feathers dollar represents the final design of the year.<br/><br/>Numismatic Information <br/><br/>Description of reverses: The 1878 7 tail feathers issue was struck in two major reverse variations: <br/>The first is the Second Reverse, with 7 tail feathers, with parallel top arrow feather (P AF), and concave breast on the eagle. This is often referred as the Reverse of 1878. Striking time not known. Walter H. Breen estimated the production quantity at 4.9 million coins, while Wayne Miller suggested seven million as a more likely figure. My estimate is 7.2 million (based upon proportionate population reports and observed pieces). <br/><br/>The other 7 tail feathers issue is the Third Reverse, with slanting top arrow feather (SAF) and convex breast to the eagle. This is the Reverse of 1879. Walter H. Breen estimated the production quantity at 4.3 million coins; Wayne Miller suggested two million. My estimate is also two million (based upon proportionate population reports and observed pieces) <br/>Walter H. Breen in his Encyclopedia gives estimated striking times for the various 1878 dollar issues, but this presupposes a first-in, first-out use of dies relative to their preparation times, a situation which may not be the case. <br/>Morgan's 1877 pattern half dollars, and his pattern silver dollars of early 1878, all had seven tail feathers. Thus, this was the standard number, not a change from eight tail feathers. The 1878 8 TF was a variant. <br/><br/>Numismatic status: As of 1992, there is not a widespread interest in collecting 1878 7 tail feathers Morgan dollars by reverse varieties, although there is no reason why there shouldn't be. At present, many dealers do not differentiate the varieties when offering 1878 7 tail feathers dollars for sale, although the leading certification services identify them. I believe that when the new 3rd edition of the Van Allen-Mallis work (released in September 1992), achieves widespread distribution, interest in varieties of 1878 dollars will increase dramatically. <br/><br/>Hoard coins (of both reverse varieties): The 7 TF coins were not divided into Second and Third Reverse types until relatively recently. Thus, in numismatic literature there is no record of when one reverse or the other was released in quantity. It is known that the 7 TF dollar in general was distributed by the Treasury Department over a long period of time, from the year of striking onward. It has always been considered common. A group of bags came out of the Treasury in 1953, and for a while they were especially plentiful in dealers’ hands. Additional quantities of bags were paid out during the 1962-1964 Treasury release, especially during 1963, but no account was kept of them. In comparison to certain other issues, the quantities that came out in the early 1960s was small. Today, mint-sealed bags may not survive or are very rare. <br/><br/>SECOND REVERSE, REVERSE OF 1878, PAF: <br/><br/>Circulated grades (Second Reverse): This issue is very common in all circulated grades. <br/><br/>Mint State grades (Second Reverse): Most Mint State 1878 7 TF dollars are of the Second Reverse variety. Specimens are plentiful up to and including MS-64. Coins at the MS-65 level are elusive. My estimates are as fol1ows: MS-60 to 62,50,000 to 100,000; MS-63, 45,000 to 90,000; MS-64, 15,000 to 30,000; and MS-65 or higher, only 1,000 to 2,000. <br/><br/>Wayne Miller wrote this in 1982: <br/><br/>The 1878 7 tail feather flat breast [Second Reverse] dollar is usually adequately struck. However, because the breast of the eagle, by design, is flat and concave, the reverse may appear at first glance to be poorly struckProduct Identifiers
DesignerGeorge T. Morgan
eBay Product ID (ePID)170357491
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year1878
Dimensions
Weight26.73g
Additional Product Features
Mintage97593
Major Variety7tf, Reverse of 1878
MintPhiladelphia
Denomination$1
PCGS Number7074
Diameter38.1mm
Mint MarkP
EdgeReeded
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- 23 Feb, 2016
fun
i find it fun to see all the types of morgans out there all the marks tones grades wondering where each one as been I hope to own a few some day....Verified purchase: Yes
- 05 Apr, 2017
1878 7TF Morgan Dollar
The coin is great. It is everything it was advertised to be. I am very happy with the coin.Verified purchase: Yes
- 26 Mar, 2018
Morgan.
Well represented and a good value.Verified purchase: Yes
- 14 Mar, 2018
Nice coin.
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- 14 Feb, 2018
1878 7TF$
Nice coin, good detail and price.Verified purchase: Yes
- 20 Jul, 2016
I Like it
Nice coin from collection.Verified purchase: Yes
- 18 Feb, 2020
ok
coin was fineVerified purchase: Yes
- 09 Apr, 2018
Coin
Excellent experience!Verified purchase: Yes
