1878 8 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar VF/XF Condition

The 1878 8 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most important and collectible varieties in the entire Morgan Dollar series. As part of the very first year of Morgan Dollar production, the original reverse design featured an eagle with eight tail feathers, a detail that was quickly revised by the United States Mint later in the same year.

This example is offered in Very Fine to Extremely Fine (VF/XF) condition, displaying moderate circulation wear while still retaining strong detail throughout Liberty’s hair, the eagle’s wings, and the key design elements that make early Morgan Dollars so desirable among collectors.

The Historic 8 Tail Feathers Variety

When the Morgan Dollar debuted in 1878, Mint engravers initially designed the eagle with eight tail feathers. Soon after production began, it was recognized that real bald eagles actually have an odd number of tail feathers, prompting the Mint to modify the design to seven tail feathers.

Because of this rapid design change, the 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar became a distinct and highly collectible subtype within the Morgan Dollar series. Collectors often pursue these early 8 Tail Feathers examples as an important first-year variety and key piece of Morgan Dollar history.

Classic 90% Silver United States Coinage

Designed by George T. Morgan, the obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with cotton and wheat, symbolizing American agriculture and freedom. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings clutching arrows and an olive branch beneath the inscription “In God We Trust.”

Containing .7734 troy ounce of silver, Morgan Dollars remain among the most popular vintage silver coins ever struck by the United States Mint. The 1878 8 Tail Feathers Morgan Dollar had a relatively limited mintage of only 749,500 coins, making it a significantly scarcer early Morgan issue compared to many later dates in the series.

Coin Specifications

The 1878 8TF Morgan Silver Dollar in VF/XF condition is an outstanding addition to any Morgan Dollar collection, early United States silver type set, or vintage coin portfolio. With its first-year status, low mintage, and famous 8 Tail Feathers reverse design, this historic Morgan Dollar continues to be one of the most sought-after varieties in the series.