1878 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009

Description

Listed under the 8 Tail Feather strike type, this Philadelphia Morgan dollar shares the same obverse die as the Reverse of 1878 counterpart, carrying Wexler Variety ID 1878 $1 WDDO-009 and cross-referenced as VAM 4 and VAM 17. Strong serif notches appear on all letters of E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the R of PLURIBUS and first N of UNUM exhibiting the strongest separation, and the dots flanking EPU appearing thick. All stars show point separation, while the date is moderately doubled on the right side, most evident on the 1 and 7. Lighter doubling extends to the ear interior, lower hair details, LIBERTY, upper lip, and eyelash. Diagnostic obverse markers include a short gouge inside the lower loop of the first 8, light die scratches behind Liberty's eye, polish lines in the lower hair, and nostril polishing. The reverse is WDDR-010 in its 8TF configuration. Because 1878 Morgan dollars were struck from multiple reverse hub types, this WDDO-009 obverse die appears under both reverse classifications, and collectors should verify the tail feather count to determine which strike type applies.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler (Photos by Brian Allen) Cross References: VAM 4 and 17
• VAM 4 and 17; Wexler Variety ID: 1878 $1 WDDO-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References