1878 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-011

Description

Doubled tail feathers on the inaugural year Morgan Dollar connect WDDR-011 to one of the most collected date-and-variety combinations in all of American numismatics. The 1878 Morgan Dollar is famous for its 7/8 tail feather varieties, and this variety's reverse confirms the 7/8 TF classification — the die originally carried 8 tail feathers before being re-hubbed with the adopted 7-feather design, leaving remnants of the eighth feather visible beneath the final design. Obverse die markers include a broken left point on the fourth star, die clash evidence on the lips, polished nostril and lower lip area, and a strong die scratch through LIBERTY — an extensive marker set that provides reliable attribution. The reverse shows light die polish lines through the lower olive leaves and knot. Cross-referenced as VAM 41 and attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID: 1878 $1 WDDR-011, this variety sits at the intersection of the famous 7/8 tail feather sub-series and the doubled die reverse category. George T. Morgan's heraldic eagle reverse, featuring the eagle with outstretched wings and an olive branch, was in its first year of production when these tail feather modifications were being implemented — the Mint had initially produced coins with 8 feathers before switching to 7, creating the transitional varieties that remain cornerstones of the Morgan Dollar collecting discipline.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: VAM 41 PHOTOS NEEDED
• VAM 41 PHOTOS NEEDED; Wexler Variety ID: 1878 $1 WDDR-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References