1878-P VAM-14.4A

Description

Discovered in May 2025 by Michael Dustin, 1878-P VAM-14.4A is catalogued as 14.4A I2 2 · A1i — Concave Field, Reverse Gouges — on the Reverse of 1879 die marriage. The obverse I2 2 is the same die as 1878-P VAM-14 in a later die state, showing die cracks through the tops of stars 11, 12, and 13 and a concave field from Liberty's neck to the outer lowest cotton leaf. The reverse A1i matches VAM-14.3A in a later die state, with a die gouge running from the right wheat ear to the eagle's tail feather tip and a second gouge below the olive branch stem. The Reverse of 1879 is distinguished from the Reverse of 1878 by its seven tail feathers and slightly modified eagle design. Both reverse hub types appear on 1878-P Morgan dollars, making careful reverse identification the essential first step in VAM attribution for this date. VAM-14.4A on the Reverse of 1879 is a distinct die marriage from its Reverse of 1878 counterpart, despite sharing obverse die characteristics. Estimated rarity: R-6.

External References