Diagnostic Controls & Presets Inaugural 1878 Tail Feather Controversy
Diagnostic Forensic Readings
Forensic Attribution Diagnostic
Real-time metallurgical and die variety cross-examination verified against certified populations.
Technical Breakdown: Physics, Metallurgy & Die Diagnostics
When English engraver George T. Morgan designed the new silver dollar in late 1877 under the Bland-Allison Act, he gave the reverse eagle eight tail feathers. Shortly after striking commenced on March 11, 1878, ornithologists pointed out to Mint Director H.R. Linderman that the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) possesses an odd number of tail feathers, typically seven.
To prevent wasting hundreds of expensive 8TF reverse dies already prepared, Mint die-sinkers annealed the 8TF dies and impressed them with a newly hubbed 7TF master punch.
Because the old 8TF incuse impressions were not completely polished out, the tips of 3 to 5 original feathers remain visible beneath the central and outer feathers of the new 7TF design. Numismatists classify these as 7/8TF (VAM-33 through VAM-44).
• Reverse of 1878 (PAF): Top arrow feather is strictly parallel to the bottom arrow shaft (θdiff = 0.0°).
• Reverse of 1879 (SAF): Top arrow feather is slanted upward at an acute angle (θdiff = 8.4°) into the olive branch stem.
Documented Benchmark Auction Records
Tied for finest known certified 8 Tail Feathers dollar. Breathtaking satin luster with pristine breast plumage and blazing silver flash.
Prominent VAM-41 variety showing five bold under-feather tips clearly projecting beyond the primary 7 tail feathers. Radiant cartwheel luster.
Choice gem of the Reverse of 1879 design. Flawless frosted cheek with delicate ice-blue peripheral toning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 1878 Morgan Dollar have 8 tail feathers on some coins and 7 on others?
George T. Morgan's original reverse featured an eagle with 8 tail feathers. When ornithologists protested that real bald eagles only have an odd number of tail feathers (typically 7), Mint Director Linderman ordered the dies modified immediately to 7 tail feathers, creating the classic 8TF, 7TF, and 7/8TF varieties.
What is the 7/8 Overfeather (7/8TF) variety?
To avoid throwing away already prepared 8TF dies, the Philadelphia Mint annealed the dies and struck them with a new 7TF hub. Where the previous die cavities were not completely planed off, extra feather tips from the 8TF hub protrude beneath the 7 new feathers.
What is the difference between PAF and SAF reverses on the 1878 7TF?
PAF stands for 'Parallel Arrow Feather' (the top feather is parallel to the bottom arrow), which is the Reverse of 1878. SAF stands for 'Slanted Arrow Feather' (the top feather slants upward into the olive branch), which is the revised Reverse of 1879.
How many 1878 8TF Morgan Dollars were struck?
Approximately 750,000 8 Tail Feather dollars were struck in Philadelphia in March and April 1878 before the design was revised to 7 tail feathers.
How do numismatists classify 1878 varieties?
The definitive reference is the VAM system created by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, which numbers every known die pair (e.g., VAM-14 through VAM-23 for 8TF; VAM-33 through VAM-44 for 7/8TF).
How can you detect an artificially tooled 8TF counterfeit?
Counterfeiters sometimes use sharp graver tools to carve a fake eighth feather onto an ordinary 7TF coin. Under 30x stereomicroscopy, tooled lines show incuse cuts and displaced burrs rather than the smooth, raised die-flow contours of a genuine strike.
What is the auction record for an 1878 Morgan Dollar?
The auction record for an 1878 8TF stands at $55,200, achieved in November 2020 at Stack's Bowers Galleries for a spectacular PCGS MS-67+ CAC specimen.