1878 S Morgan... What Would You Call This?

The trouble is, these images show the talons, which are among the very first features to suffer from a poor strike. The complete development of the third talon (and the large bottom leaf) tells me that this coin could not be considered weakly-struck by any measure of the term. The rest of the reverse confirms this.

But keep in mind, this is San Francisco we're talking about here. They went on a run of producing the finest Morgans ever struck after 1878, and we're looking at their learning curve with this issue. 1878-S's are often found with an astounding number of die polishing lines, and to my relatively limited experience, very few poor strikes. The following issues through the mid-1880's (and after) reflected the process of minting Morgans brought to an art, and one knows they were looking for the right die-die clearance to give the strongest strike while minimizing die wear. This seems like an effort in that direction, the slightest bit short of perfect to planchet striations can still show, yet strong enough to develop complete detail including die polishing lines visible all over the reverse in these images.

The two missing talons are undoubtedly a strikethrough. No mechanical damage process could remove just them without adjacent damage. I just wonder if grease would allow the planchet lines to remain (they're identical to the lines on the adjacent field; planchet striations are the most reasonable explanation).

I don't think 63 is out of the question. 1878-S's can be found quite frosty, and I think yours is an example. If that be the case, much of what we see here as "black" on the cheek could just be breaks in that frost which get undue emphasis in digital imagery.

This is one of my favorite issues. Just about every 1878-S demonstrates something about what San Francisco was doing differently than the other mints.

Well, at MS63 you have to have just about nothing into the coin to justify the cost of slabbing.

Yes this Morgan is a VAM because it is a Morgan not because of the soft strike on the left talons. Attribution of an 1878-S begins with the length of the arrow nock. Yours is what is considered a B2 reverse "short nock" variety. The next step is to determine the condition of the 4th right star on the obverse and the letter "r" in trust. I'm not positive, but your coin looks like it may be a broken star, broken r variety. If correct, this would narrow down your choices to 42 varieties. http://www.vamworld.com/1878-S+...43;Varieties

Same here but I figured I would give this thread a nudge if the OP wants to figure out the VAM.

Well it is an "engraved wing" so start there. I just get a headache trying to VAM 78s and 81s from pics, I don't even really like it when they are in hand either but your mm position should narrow down which engraved wing it is. S is kinda shifted left and slanted right if I'm seeing it ok with the rotated pic

Well, if both the 4th right star and the "r" are unbroken - and it should be obvious, as pieces are missing from each - you're limited to a grouping of about 8 VAMs which all need serious attention paid to doubling of the upper obverse lettering.

A close up of the engraved feather area would go a long way to VAMming it. The eagles left foot is a strike issue. But there is one 78S VAM that has an acid treated left foot. That is the 78 S VAM 81. But this is not that one.