Numismatic

1878 Morgan Dollar 8 TF MS-61 PCGS

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In 1878, the Philadelphia Mint debuted a new silver dollar design by George T. Morgan. The initial run of these coins featured an eagle with eight tail feathers on the reverse, a design choice that departed from the traditional odd number of feathers typically seen on United States coinage. This specific variety had a brief production run, with an estimated mintage of 749,500 to 750,000 pieces before the design was altered, making it a compelling study for those exploring the evolution of American coin artistry. The obverse of this one dollar coin presents a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, modeled after Anna Willess Williams. Liberty is depicted wearing a Phrygian cap decorated with a wreath of wheat and cotton. Inscriptions on the coin include the date 1878 and the motto "In God we trust". Lacking a mint mark, this specimen is identified as a product of the Philadelphia Mint. Struck in 90% fine silver, the coin has a diameter of 38.1 mm and a thickness of 3.1 mm, containing 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. This particular piece has been certified in Mint State 61 (MS-61) condition, preserving the intricate details of Morgan's original 1878 vision.