1878 $1 Morgan Silver Dollar, 8TF VAM-21 Broken R&B PCGS MS65

Here’s a popular variety in the VAM series to add to your collection: the 1878 8TF VAM-21 Broken R&B. The R and B in PLURIBUS have broken bases on the obverse. This is simply a must-have coin for the VAM enthusiast. PCGS has graded 14 of the VAM-21 as MS65 with just 5 finer. Collectors Universe prices this VAM-21 variety at $2,550.00 in MS65.

The below is taken from the VAMWORLD 2.0 website:

1878-P VAM-21

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen, December 1965.

21 II/I 3 A2/A1d (Doubled B) (180)

Obverse II/I 3 - Slightly doubled LIBERTY shifted left. Doubled P, U, R, and B in PLURIBUS and 1 and 2 stars on right. Nostril missing from overpolished die. First 8 doubled at top inside of upper loop and second 8 doubled bottom outside of lower loop.

Reverse A2/A1d - Doubled wreath, N of ONE tripled. L, A, and R of DOLLAR doubled, and bottom of UNITED doubled. Thin small feather added on eagle's right side between leg and bottom of wing. Eagle's lower beak slightly doubled on inside. Top arrow head and shaft doubled.

George T. Morgan, who designed the Morgan dollar. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

DPIS – In 1878 dates were part of the master die so there is no variation in position.

Comments:

1. The 1878 VAM-21 is an 8 Tailfeather Morgan w/ the A2/Axd reverse. The name of this variety refers to features on the obverse, which it shares with the 7/8 variety 1878-P VAM-43. However, its reverse is unique to this VAM, being primarily distinguished by a doubling down of the N in ONE and a pit or chip to the lower left of the O in ONE.