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The Certified Morgan Silver Dollar 1878 7/8TF Weak MS62 NGC is a highly collectible variety from the first year of Morgan Dollar production and represents an essential transitional subtype in U.S. numismatics. This particular variety is notable for its overpunched reverse die, where the initial 8 Tail Feathers (8TF) design was modified to display 7 tail feathers, but remnants of the original eight remain faintly visible—hence the designation "7/8TF." The “Weak” variant signifies that the underlying eighth feathers are only softly or partially visible, making them subtler than the “Strong” 7/8TF version. Graded Mint State 62 by NGC, this example is an uncirculated coin that preserves original mint luster and surface detail despite some moderate marks consistent with the assigned grade.
The Morgan Dollar was authorized by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which mandated large-scale silver dollar coinage using domestically mined silver. The coin was named after its designer, George T. Morgan, an English engraver who had recently joined the U.S. Mint. Morgan's vision broke from the abstract neoclassicism of earlier coinage by modeling Liberty after a real American woman, Anna Willess Williams. His design ushered in a new era of American coin artistry, making the Morgan Dollar one of the most beloved and widely collected coins in U.S. history.
The first 1878 Morgan Dollars struck at the Philadelphia Mint featured an eagle with eight tail feathers, a choice that was quickly criticized for lacking anatomical accuracy—bald eagles have an odd number of tail feathers. In response, Mint engravers retooled the dies to display seven feathers. Rather than discard the original dies, the Mint overpunched seven feathers atop the existing eight, creating the 7/8TF variety. The “Weak” version of this variety shows only light traces of the original feather shafts, usually visible between the dominant seven feathers but requiring close examination to discern.
The obverse of the coin features Liberty’s left-facing profile, wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with a headband inscribed “LIBERTY.” Her cap is topped with a crown of cotton and wheat, symbolic of agricultural unity. Surrounding her portrait are the inscriptions “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” the date “1878,” and thirteen stars representing the original colonies. Morgan’s artistic choices created a strong and humanized figure of Liberty that became instantly iconic, and on this MS62 specimen, much of the original design detail is preserved with minimal wear and only scattered contact marks from mint handling.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with wings outstretched, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DOLLAR,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” frame the design, while a laurel wreath encloses the eagle’s lower half. The tail feathers—seven in the revised design—are the focal point of the variety. On the “Weak” 7/8TF version, the original eighth tail feathers remain just barely visible behind the stronger seven, often requiring magnification to identify. Unlike the “Strong” variety, which displays prominent overpunched feather shafts, the weak variety's additional feathers are more ghostlike and lightly impressed.
All 7/8TF varieties were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mintmark at the time. The mintage of the 7/8TF coins was relatively small, falling between the initial 8TF issues and the more abundant 7TF redesign. While precise mintage figures for the weak and strong variants are not known, both are considerably scarcer than standard Morgan Dollars, with the weak version appearing slightly more frequently than the strong in certified populations. Nonetheless, both are highly valued by collectors for their transitional nature and for being an unmistakable artifact of a design correction during active production.
The MS62 grade by NGC denotes a Mint State coin with no signs of circulation, retaining full detail and luster. However, it may exhibit several noticeable contact marks or abrasions in focal areas, such as the fields or Liberty’s cheek. Still, the coin has solid overall eye appeal and represents excellent value for collectors seeking a presentable uncirculated example of a rare variety. NGC’s encapsulation ensures the coin’s authenticity, protects its surfaces from environmental harm, and verifies the exact variety and grade through its comprehensive label.
Collectors and numismatists prize the 1878 7/8TF Weak variety for its numismatic uniqueness. It is a key part of the 1878 Morgan Dollar subtype trio—alongside the 8TF and the 7TF reverses—that illustrates the rapid design evolution during the series’ inaugural year. The weak version adds an element of subtlety and challenge for variety hunters, as the faint traces of the original eight feathers require close attention and experience to distinguish confidently. This aspect makes it a compelling addition for anyone specializing in Morgan Dollar varieties or U.S. Mint transitionals.
The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a diameter of 38.1 millimeters. Like all Morgan Dollars, it has a reeded edge and was struck using steam-powered presses. The soft silver content allows for strong relief detail, and examples graded MS62 typically retain substantial luster, with brilliance often evident across Liberty’s cheek and in the open fields of the reverse. Toning may also be present on some examples, depending on the coin’s storage history, often adding visual interest and character to the piece.
Market demand for 1878 7/8TF Weak Tail Feathers Morgan Dollars remains strong, particularly in Mint State grades where die features are more easily studied. While MS63 and above coins command significant premiums, MS62 examples like this offer a more accessible entry point into a classic early Morgan variety without compromising on detail. They appeal to both seasoned collectors building complete 1878 reverse sets and to those intrigued by the story of a Mint correcting its designs mid-production and the remnants of its process forever captured in silver.
In summary, the Certified Morgan Silver Dollar 1878 7/8TF Weak MS62 NGC is an extraordinary piece that documents the transitional development of one of America’s most iconic coin series. With a subtle but historically important error preserved beneath the surface, and in a strong uncirculated condition with professional grading by NGC, this coin offers collectors a tangible piece of U.S. Mint history, craftsmanship, and evolution—wrapped into a fascinating and collectible silver dollar.