Description
1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar
Struck during the inaugural year of the Morgan Dollar series, the 1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most desirable and historically significant issues in American numismatics. Following the passage of the Bland-Allison Act, the United States Mint resumed large-scale silver dollar production, giving rise to the iconic Morgan Dollar series that would become a cornerstone of U.S. coin collecting.
The obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with cotton and wheat, symbolizing America’s agricultural heritage. Designed by Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan, the portrait remains one of the most celebrated designs in U.S. coinage. The reverse showcases a majestic eagle with outstretched wings holding arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by the inscriptions “United States of America” and “One Dollar.”
The 1878 issue is especially notable for its multiple reverse varieties. The 7 Tail Feathers variety was introduced after the Mint corrected the eagle’s tail feather count from the original 8 Tail Feathers design, making it an important and highly collectible first-year subtype. These historic varieties remain popular among both Morgan Dollar specialists and type coin collectors.
Composed of 90% silver, the 1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Dollar combines substantial silver content with exceptional collector appeal. As the first year of America’s most famous silver dollar series, it continues to be a centerpiece in collections of classic U.S. coinage.
Whether added to a Morgan Dollar collection, silver coin portfolio, or 19th-century U.S. type set, the 1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Dollar remains a timeless collectible with enduring numismatic significance.
Features:
• Authentic 1878 w/7 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar
• First-year issue of the Morgan Dollar series
• Designed by George T. Morgan
• Composed of 90% silver
• Historic 7 Tail Feathers reverse variety
• Obverse: Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with cotton and wheat
• Reverse: Eagle with outstretched wings holding arrows and an olive branch
• Issued following the Bland-Allison Act of 1878
