View source for 1878 a1c identification


=1878 8 Tailfeather A1c reverse Attribution Guide= 
The A1c reverse: is shared among [[1878-P VAM-3|VAM-3]], VAM-4, VAM-4A, VAM-5, VAM-14.6, VAM-14.6A, VAM-14.7, VAM-14.11, VAM-11A, VAM-14.12, VAM-14.14, VAM-14.17 and VAM-14.18<br />
These are the common characteristics of the reverse:<br />
[[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_a.jpg]] [[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_b.jpg]]<br />
[[image:robj_1878_vam4_guide_e.jpg]][[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_d.jpg]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-3]]<br />
Extra metal under the eyelid and many parallel polising lines in front of the eye.<br />
[[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_l.jpg]] [[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_o.jpg]]<br />
[[image:robj_1878_vam3_guide_n.jpg]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-4]]<br />
Die chip next to the denticles above the dot between PLURIBUS and UNUM.<br />
[[image:1878-P_VAM4chip.jpg |576px]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-4A]]<br />
[[image:CFE_05-16-2013_V4A_LVA_PIC.jpg |frame|left|CFE_05-16-2013_V4A_LVA_PIC.jpg]]<br style="clear:both;">
[[1878-P VAM-5]]<br />
On the obverse the "RIB" of E PLURIBUS is strongly doubled.<br />
[[image:1878v5_obv.jpg]]<br />
[[image:1878-P-5-RIB.jpg]]<br />
[[image:1878-P-5-date.jpg]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.6]]<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_6_EarDot.jpg |545px ]][[image:JPM_1878_8TF_14.6 Ear PCGS 63.jpg |456px ]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.6A]]<br />
Radial die crack from rim through star into hair (later die state 14.6A only):<br />
[[image:1878-P_VAM-14-6_die_crack_obverse.jpg]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.7]]<br />
Die Flake next to Ear<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_7_Flake_On_Ear.jpg |357px ]]<br />
Radial die crack:<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_7_Crack_by_One.jpg |628px ]]<br />
Die chip under the eye.<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_7_Eye_Chip.jpg]]<br />
The early die state shows the beginning of a radial die crack by E PLURIBUS from the rim.<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_7_Crack_by_E.jpg |596px ]]<br />
[[image:VinCar_1878_P_10.jpg |600px]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.11]]<br />
[[image:1878p_vam14.11-2.jpg |386px ]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.11A]]<br />
[[image:1878-P-14-11-BURCH-1.JPG |272px ]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.12]]<br />
The obverse has several dots in front of the eye, and a thin sliver of metal under the eyelid, similiar to<br />
VAM-3 but thinner:<br />
[[image:1878_VAM_14_12_Eye_Dots.JPG |465px ]]<br />
Most 14.12 coins have radial die cracks, but an early die state is known without the cracks. The first crack to appear is the third star to the right of the date. This is followed by a second radial die crack between the 3rd and 4th stars to the left of the date.<br />
[[image:1878_VAM_14_12_3rd_Star_Right_crack.JPG |307px ]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.14]]<br />
The 14.14 has a spike under the eye lid extending to the left. The key diagnostic point for this coin is a triangular shaped die chip below and to the left of eye.<br />
[[image:1878p_vam14_14_f.jpg |526px ]]<br />
The date also has unique die cracks around the 78 in the date. The break below the 8 running radially toward the rim can become quite pronounced and thick.<br />
[[image:1878p_vam14_14_d.jpg |497px ]]<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.17]]<br />
''Die makers-'' die chip at top right inside of Liberty's ear. Dot of metal in front of Liberty's eye.<br />
[[1878-P VAM-14.18]]<br />
Obverse diagnostics: - Eye spike & Ribbon Bow crack:<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_18_Eye.jpg |331px ]][[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_18_Die_Crack_in_Ribbon.jpg |418px  align="right"]]<br />
The later die state has extensive cracking through the date:<br />
[[image:1878_8TF_VAM_14_18_Date.jpg |514px ]]<br />