1878 Morgan Dollar, 7-Tail Feather Variety, PCGS Certified MS64

The Morgan silver dollar is among the most historic United States coins ever minted. Named after the designer, U.S. Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan, it was produced from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. The obverse of the coin depicts Liberty as a youthful woman wearing a Phrygian cap, originally worn by emancipated slaves of ancient Rome, together with a headdress of cotton and wheat—staples of the U.S. economy. The reverse features an American bald eagle with outstretched wings, symbolic of the power of the U.S. government. The eagle bears in its great talons both an olive branch and 3 arrows, representing a nation of peace but one that is poised for war.

The eagle was initially designed and minted with 8 tail feathers, until this was quickly determined to be incorrect, as bald eagles have 7 tail feathers, not 8. New hubs were prepared featuring 7 tail feathers, some of which were used to strike over 8-tail feather dies. Thus, there are at least 3 tail feather varieties from 1878, including 8-tail feather, 7-tail feather, and 7 over 8 tail feathers.

The Morgan dollar was initially authorized by the passage of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878, which required the Treasury to purchase an enormous 2 to 4 million dollars’ worth of silver each month to be coined into dollars. Later, in 1918, passage of the Pittman Act ultimately led to the melting of over 270 million Morgan dollars held in treasury reserves. Today, the choice few that remain are cherished specimens of a bygone era that serve to immortalize the memory of a young, prosperous, and powerful United States of America. You will receive the unique coin shown in the photos housed in a plush-lined box with a certificate of authenticity.