1878 Morgan Silver Dollar. 7/8 Tailfeathers. Strong. MS-64 DMPL (PCGS). Gold Shield Holder.

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar. 7/8 Tailfeathers. Strong. MS-64 DMPL (PCGS). Gold Shield Holder.，This is a gorgeous near-Gem that sports strong cameo contrast between frosty devices and mirrored fields. Sharply struck from the rims to the centers with a brilliant appearance that will delight dedicated Morgan dollar collectors. This intriguing variant of the first year 1878 Morgan dollar was created when a number of working reverse dies were overpunched with a 7 tail feathers hub. Exactly why the Mint decided to abandon the original 8 tail feathers hub in favor of the 7 tail feathers hub is not known. Additionally, Q. David Bowers (1993) suggests that the undertype of this variety may not even be the 8 tail feathers, but rather that the 7/8 Tailfeathers variety actually represents a rehubbing using variations of the 7 tail feathers hub. Details are lacking. Based on a survey of third party certification data, what is clear is that the 1878 7/8 Tailfeathers is plentiful in Mint State. On the other hand, Deep Mirror Prooflike examples are elusive, the present near-Gem qualifying as both a strike and condition rarity.，，