1878-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Holding the lead position among Wexler Team doubled die reverses for the 1878-S Morgan Dollar, WDDR-001 displays Class II doubling — a distorted hub variety — directed toward the rim on UNITED STATES and the olive leaves. Class II doubling results from a tilted hub during die-sinking, producing displacement that increases with distance from the pivot point, explaining why peripheral lettering shows more pronounced effects than central elements. Cross-referenced as VAM 5, this variety bridges two major cataloging systems. An additional note identifies the obverse as WDDO-004, making this a dual-sided doubled die where both faces carry hub displacement. Submitted by John A. Wexler, this variety reflects the founder's personal research on the inaugural year of San Francisco Morgan Dollar production under the Bland-Allison Act. The convergence of Class II reverse doubling with an independently cataloged obverse doubled die creates a coin with attribution significance on both sides.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Obverse is WDDO-004. Light die crack from base of bust into field above date. Heavy die polish lines N/S over entire obverse. Reverse: Upper bar of R in TRUST is broken. Reengraved tail feather between eagle's right leg and wing. Strong N/S die polish lines over lower and sides of reverse. Long NW/SE die scratch from top of eagle's left wing to M of AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: VAM 5 PHOTOS NEEDED
• VAM 5
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References