Morgan Dollar 1878 8TF - VAM Identification

Both die cracks are evident when supersizing your images. Nice find especially if it's a cherry pick!

14.7, eh? This is one we need to be absolutely sure about before we pronounce this attribution final, because this coin would probably raise the total real-world known population by about 10%. There are about 20 on the books between the 3 major services, but one must assume many of those are crackouts and regrades. Here's why:

This obverse had a very short life. Most of the known examples are Mint State, and PL and DMPL pieces with the full radial die crack exist. Further, they're so rare that a slight upgrade means big money - the last sale I found was an NGC MS62 which sold in February 2014 for $4112(!). All kinds of incentive to resubmit in hope of getting PL or a larger grade. I doubt there are as many as a dozen actual pieces known.

If 14.7, this is a major find which would probably count on the list of "top ten Morgan finds of 2015." It's *big.*

I have the impression of this one as having circulated slightly. AU55 in my book, but it has some symptoms of a slider. We know the reverse lasted a long time - 10 different obverse dies - and 14.7 is believed the third usage of that reverse. Therefore, I expect a good strike from a relatively fresh reverse, meaning what I see as wear on the reverse probably is, rather than being an artifact of a weak strike. Not that it matters. If you acquire this coin, lux73, it will be the most liquid piece in your collection. Checkbooks will open if you ever offer it.

As regards attribution, it's undoubtedly an A1c reverse, and I'm reasonably sure VAMs 3 & 4 are ruled out. With a coin of this potential importance, though, caution is imperative so let's take a second trip through the process and look at everything fresh.

Sure looks good for 14.7, though. Needless to say, lux72, snag this one if you get a price you consider reasonable.

If I could confirm original surfaces and attribution in hand, I would throw $1000 at it without question. Not that the current owner needs to know what I think.

WOW

This is what makes vamming FUN!

Please do. If we remain in agreement on the attribution with your own images, it'll be necessary to let the larger VAMming community know a new one has been found. Not that such a thing isn't expected - everyone knows there are a huge number of unattributed Morgans left out there.

Have you snagged it yet lux?!

Awesome! Can't wait

Awesome! I am as excited as if the coin was mine.

can't wait for the in hand coin photo's!