Morgan Dollar 8 & 7 Over * Tail Feather Story

The Morgan Dollar 8 & 7 Over 7 Tail Feather variety represents one of the most intriguing numismatic mysteries in the history of United States coinage. Following the initial production of Morgan dollars in 1878, the mint realized the design featured an eagle with eight tail feathers, which conflicted with biological reality; consequently, the dies were modified to seven feathers. This specific reference volume serves as an exhaustive technical exploration of the resulting overdates and transitional varieties that emerged as the mint rushed to correct this design flaw.

Authored by Leroy Van Allen, a preeminent authority on Morgan dollar varieties, this text provides a definitive guide for cataloging and authenticating these rare transition coins. Van Allen meticulously documents the die marriage characteristics and historical context of the transition, offering a resource for numismatists seeking to navigate the complexities of 1878 production. The work is widely regarded as a scholarly benchmark, praised for its clarity in distinguishing between genuine variety markers and later die strikes.