1878-S Morgan Dollar

The 1878-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1878 and is part of the Morgan Dollar series.

Specifications

 * Designer: George T. Morgan
 * Obverse Design: Lady Liberty
 * Reverse Design: Eagle holding arrows and olive branch
 * Edge: Reeded
 * Weight: 26.73 grams
 * Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
 * Composition: Silver (90%), Copper (10%)
 * Mintage: Circulation Strikes: est. 9,774,000

Background
The director of the San Francisco Mint felt several of the early dies of this coin were unfit for use. It is thought three obverses and eight reverses were considered poor but not discarded (see die varieties). Despite this, an ample amount of 1878-S Morgan Dollars are available in Mint State with a typical example being MS-62 to MS-64.

A small number of the 1878-S Morgan Dollar are struck from "prooflike dies." Most of these examples appear with the "proof-like" appearance on just one side of the coin. It is up to the individual collector whether this should be sought-after.

Collecting
The 1878-S is the most readily available of all four mints from 1878. The San Francisco Mint churned out over 9 million of their coins ---and two million more that the Philadelphia Mint in that year.

This year's Morgan Dollar is typically well-struck but some have issues on the face of Miss Liberty ---so be careful! Some examples are dull around the lower part of the eagle and upper edge of the wreath. Most examples should have well-defined feathers (flat eagle's breast, parallel top arrow feather).

Some of these coins are struck from prooflike dies ---most on just one side of the coin. These number only a few among the population of coins and are cherished by some collectors.

Historical Background in 1878
In January, the Yale News becomes the first daily college newspaper in the United States. The Yale Daily News is an independent student newspaper published by Yale University students in New Haven, Connecticut since January 28, 1878.

In February, Greece declares war on Turkey and Pope Pius IX dies after a 31½ year reign (the longest definitely confirmed). Pope Pius IX (13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. Pope Leo XIII succeeds Pope Pius IX as the 256th pope.

On August 7, the Salvation Army "foundation deed" is signed. The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over 120 countries. It was founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom by William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission and with a quasi-military structure. The theology of the Salvation Army is "mainstream Protestant".

Die Varieties
The Long Nock VAM variety is noteworthy to collectors as "Top 100 Morgan VAMs" while all varieties are of interest to specialists. {|
 * valign="top"|

B1 Long Nock Reverse (Top 100 Morgan Vam's)

 * VAM-26 Long Nock Reverse, S Tilted Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-27 Long Nock Reverse, Broken D of Dollar (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-56 Long Nock Reverse, S Set High (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-57 Long Nock Reverse, S Set Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-58 Long Nock Reverse, S Set High (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-59 Long Nock Reverse, S Set Slightly Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-60 Long Nock Reverse, S Set High and Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-62 Long Nock Reverse, S Set Far Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-72 Long Nock Reverse, S Tilted Left (Top 100 Morgan Vam)

B2 Short Nock Reverse (1878-S B2 Varieties)

 * VAM-1 Normal Die
 * VAM-1A (Eliminated, same as VAM-16 or VAM-16 )
 * VAM-1B Pitted Tail Feathers, Lines in Hair & Eagles Talons
 * VAM-1C (Eliminated, Same as VAM-95) Die Chip R, Reverse Die Used in 1879
 * VAM-1D Doubled D, Lines in Tail Feathers
 * VAM-1E Die Gouges in Right Wreath
 * VAM-1F (Eliminated, same as VAM-63 )
 * '''VAM-1G]] Lines in LIB & Eagle's Left Wing Tip
 * [VAM-1H (Eliminated, same as VAM-1B )
 * VAM-1I Gouges Bottom of Eagle's Left Wing
 * VAM-2 Broken R in Trust
 * VAM-3 (Eliminated, same obverse as VAM-29 /VAM-31, listed before engraved wing feather known)
 * VAM-4 (Eliminated)
 * VAM-5 Tripled Eyelid, Doubled 878, Broken R reverse
 * VAM-6 DDO "RIB" (Hot 50 Morgan Vam)
 * VAM-7 Doubled LIBERTY & Wheat Leaves, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-8 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-8A Engraved Wing Feather, Rusted Die Wings
 * VAM-9 Doubled & Broken B, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-10 Doubled Motto - (Likely Doesn't Exist.)
 * VAM-11 Doubled Motto - (Likely Doesn't Exist.)
 * VAM-12 Doubled Motto
 * VAM-13 (Eliminated, same as VAM-33 )
 * VAM-14 Doubled LIBERTY Left, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-15 Lines in Eagle's Wings
 * VAM-16 Die Scratch on Wing, Engraved Wing Feather (DDO R-I-B often mistaken for VAM-6)
 * VAM-17 Doubled D, Over Polished Lower Obverse
 * VAM-17A Doubled D, Denticle Impressions Reverse
 * VAM-17B Doubled D, Denticle Impressions Obverse & Reverse
 * VAM-17C Doubled D, Denticle Impressions Obverse Neck & Reverse
 * VAM-18 "Spaghetti Wing" Die Gouges in Wings
 * VAM-18A "Spaghetti Wing" Die Gouges in Wings, Radial Die Break Star
 * VAM-19 Cap Band Gouge
 * VAM-19A Cap Band Gouge, Over Polished Reverse)
 * VAM-20 Concave Obverse, Engraved Wing Feather
 * valign="top"|
 * VAM-21 Doubled LIBERTY Left, Broken B, Concave Obverse, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-22 Doubled Motto, S Set Left
 * VAM-23 Die Flakes Hair, Doubled Profile, Engraved Wing Feather, S/S Left
 * VAM-24 Doubled Liberty & Wheat Leaves, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-25 S Set High & Right (May not exist)
 * VAM-28 Die Scratch on Wing, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-29 Tripled Liberty, Doubled Nostril & Eyelid, Sagging Jaw, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-30 Quadrupled Liberty, Doubled Nostril & Eyelid, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-30A Quadrupled LIBERTY, Doubled Nostril & Eyelid, Engraved Wing Feather, Die Break U
 * VAM-31 Tripled Liberty, Doubled Nostril & Eyelid, Sagging Jaw, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-32 (Eliminated, same as VAM-48 )
 * VAM-32A (Eliminated, same as VAM-91A )
 * VAM-33 Engraved Wing Feather, Doubled L-R-RU, S/S Notches
 * VAM-34 Doubled Profile & Reverse Legend, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-35 Sextupled Left Stars, Doubled Profile, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-36 "Dragon Scales" Engraved Wing Feathers
 * VAM-36A Engraved Wing Feather, Die Gouge Wheat Leaf
 * VAM-36B Engraved Wing Feather, Die Break E
 * VAM-37 Doubled UNUM, Engraved Wing Feather, S/S Left
 * VAM-38 Engraved Wing Feather, Die Gouge Right Wing, Doubled Hair & 8-8
 * VAM-39 Engraved Wing Feather, Die Chips Liberty Head
 * VAM-40 Engraved Wing Feather, Acne Die Chips
 * VAM-41 Doubled LIBERTY Up, Nostril, Cap Fold Front
 * VAM-42 Doubled L-R-BU, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-42A Doubled L-R-BU, Engraved Wing Feather, Clashed st
 * VAM-43 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-44 Engraved Wing Feather, Doubled Liberty Left
 * VAM-45 Engraved Wing Feather, Reverse Die Used in 1879
 * VAM-46 Engraved Wing Feather, Worm-Eye Die Scratch
 * VAM-46A Engraved Wing Feather, Extra Wreath Berry Die Break
 * VAM-47 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-48 Engraved Wing Feather, S Tilted Right
 * VAM-49 "Funky Feather", Dot Wing, Polished Concave Obverse
 * VAM-50 Tripled Eyelid, "Lava Wing" 1 of 4 "Funky Feather" Reverses
 * VAM-51 Engraved Wing Feather, Over Polished Ear, Weak STAT
 * VAM-52 Engraved Wing Feather, Worm-Eye Die Scratch
 * VAM-53 Doubled Liberty, Broken B, Concave Obverse, Doubled Left Wreath, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-54 Doubled Profile
 * VAM-55 Sextupled Left Stars, Doubled Profile, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-61 Doubled Reverse Motto
 * VAM-63 S/S Right
 * VAM-64 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-65 Doubled Motto, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-66 Doubled Ear & Eyelid, Doubled D
 * VAM-67 Engraved Wing Feather, S Set Left
 * VAM-68 Doubled LIBERTY, Engraved Wing Feather, Reverse Die used in 1879
 * valign="top"|
 * VAM-69 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-70 (Eliminated, same as VAM-31 )
 * VAM-71 S Set High
 * VAM-73 Doubled Eyelid with Spike, Lines in Tail Feathers
 * VAM-74 Engraved Wing Feather, Broken R
 * VAM-74A Engraved Wing Feather, Broken R, Die Chip Left Wreath
 * VAM-75 Doubled UNUM, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-75A Doubled E L-BUS, UNUM, Eng. Wing Feather, Pitted Wings
 * VAM-76 Tripled Eyelid, Engraved Feather Reverse 1 of 4 "Funky Feather" Reverses
 * VAM-77 Doubled Motto, S Set Very High
 * VAM-78 Lines on Partial Inside Wing Feather, S Set Left & Tilted Left
 * VAM-79 Doubled Liberty, Broken B, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-80 Engraved Wing Feather, Lines in Eagle, Doubled Lower Hair & 8-8
 * VAM-81 Engraved Wing Feather 1 of 4 "Funky Feather" Reverses
 * VAM-82 Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-83 Doubled Eagle's Left Wing
 * VAM-84 Engraved Wing Feather, S Tilted Right, Doubled Lower Hair & 878
 * VAM-85 Doubled Eyelid, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-86 Doubled Ear Lower Inside, Scratches Below Cotton Bolls
 * VAM-87 Spiked Eye, Doubled Motto
 * VAM-88 S/S Top Left Inside, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-89 Engraved Wing Feather, Lines in Eagle, Doubled E-PL-R-B
 * VAM-90 Engraved Wing Feather, Die Gouge Right Wing, Doubled E-PL-R-B
 * VAM-91 Engraved Wing Feather, S Tilted Right, Doubled US UNUM & LIBERTY
 * VAM-91A Engraved Wing Feather, S Tilted Right, Doubled US UNUM, Die Gouge Cap
 * VAM-92 Doubled Ear & Eyelid, Doubled D, Vertical Polishing Lines Wing
 * VAM-93 Engraved Wing Feather, Doubled L
 * VAM-94 Doubled PLURIBUS UNUM
 * VAM-95 Doubled PLURIBUS UNUM, Die Chip R, Reverse Die Used in 1879
 * VAM-96 S/S Triangles, Lines in LIB
 * VAM-97 Engraved Wing Feather, Die Gouge Eagles Left Wing
 * VAM-98 Doubled 878 and Nostril
 * VAM-99 Engraved Wing Feather, Doubled Motto
 * VAM-100 Doubled Motto & Ear, Double Spikes Eye, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-101 Concave Obverse, Die Chips on E, Shallow STAT, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-102 Doubled Motto, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-103 Die Chip E
 * VAM-104 Die Gouges Lower Hair & Wing, Engraved Wing Feather
 * VAM-105 Engraved Wing Feather, Triangle on r, Over Polished Reverse
 * VAM-106 High S Tilted Slightly Left
 * VAM-107 Doubled Eyelid with Spike, Doubled D
 * VAM-108 S/S Lines
 * VAM-109 Doubled Motto, Double Spikes Eye
 * VAM-110 Engraved Wing Feather, 8 Upper TF, Doubled Cap Top, US UNUM & Wheat Leaf "NEW"
 * VAM-111 Doubled Motto, S Set High (Hot 50 Morgan Vam) "NEW"
 * }

Mint

 * San Francisco Mint (S mintmark)