Morgan Dollar Question?

[deagleye]

Hello All,

I have a 1878 "7 feather" Morgan Coin. There is no stamp on it.( CC or S) Does this mean it is a proof? Can anyone tell me a value range for this coin.

Thank you for any help yall can give me.

Regards
Dennis

 

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[SC_hunter]

Can you post a pic of the coin

 

[seger98]

No mint mark would still be a Philadelphia mint

 

[Mackaydon]

2009 Red Book (retail) values range from $25 (VF-20) to $15,000 ("3rd Reverse, PF-63). Values depend on type of variety and condition rating.

 

[mark v]

The 7 feather coin was the first Morgan dollar reverse design. After it was produced somebody noticed that an eagle actually has 8 tail feathers, not 7.The government corrected the problem so that's where the different tail feather numbers come from. i.e. 8 over 7, 8.

No mintmark means it was struck in Philadelphia.

 

[hyperion]

mark v,

You're correct but backwards. The 1878 started with 8 TF and went to 7 for the reason you stated. The first coins produced were 8 TF, then the correction to 7 TF. Rather than completely create reverse dies, mint engraver just recut the reverse dies with 7 TF and the result was a 7 over 8 TF. The last change for 1878 was going from a parallel arrow feather to a slanted arrow feather (Reverse of 79). Here's an interesting link to a story on the "first Morgan die" ... I have one of these coins.

http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-9

Concerning the original question it all depends on the condition of the coin and the type. There are two 7TF types in 78 ... reverse of 78 (parallel arrow feather) and reverse of 79 (slanted arrow feather). 1878 proofs were created with 8 TF, and both types of 7 TF. Then there are the hundreds of dies marriages creating all those varieties. It's enough to make your head swim. If you could post large, clear pictures of the obverse and reverse, I could try to help narrow it down.

 

[deagleye]

Thank you to all of yall for responding. I am going to try to get a pic. of my coin. I would have done it already but work has kept me busy. I don't know anything about coins, except how to spend them, thanks again.

 

[mark v]

mark v,

You're correct but backwards. The 1878 started with 8 TF and went to 7 for the reason you stated. The first coins produced were 8 TF, then the correction to 7 TF. Rather than completely create reverse dies, mint engraver just recut the reverse dies with 7 TF and the result was a 7 over 8 TF. The last change for 1878 was going from a parallel arrow feather to a slanted arrow feather (Reverse of 79). Here's an interesting link to a story on the "first Morgan die" ... I have one of these coins.

http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-9

Concerning the original question it all depends on the condition of the coin and the type. There are two 7TF types in 78 ... reverse of 78 (parallel arrow feather) and reverse of 79 (slanted arrow feather). 1878 proofs were created with 8 TF, and both types of 7 TF. Then there are the hundreds of dies marriages creating all those varieties. It's enough to make your head swim. If you could post large, clear pictures of the obverse and reverse, I could try to help narrow it down.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.