250
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Session Two - Monday, January 26, 2015 10:00 am
1883 T
RADE
D
OLLAR
1571
1883
.
NGC graded Proof 65
. This richly toned Gem is a
lovely survivor from the final year of regular-issue Trade
dollar production, the 1884 and 1885 are great rarities,
clandestinely produced at a later date. Minor striking soft-
ness is noticed on some of the obverse portrait's high-
points; head, breast, and thigh, otherwise sharply defined
throughout. Only 979 1883 Trade dollars were struck as
proofs, and today, any Gem example is considered a rarity.
The original toning encompasses light gray and aqua-blue
at the obverse rims with pinkish-gold in the centers, against
highly reflective surfaces. Deeper aqua and pink tones
appear on the reverse, with minimal field hairlines.
Pop
55; 44 finer
.
Estimated Value ........................................ $6,000 - 6,500
Morgan Dol l ars
1878 M
ORGAN
D
OLLAR
. 8 T
AIL
F
EATHERS
1572
1878. 8 Tail Feathers
.
PCGS graded MS-66
.
PQ.
One
of the finest graded of this important variety, with just 42
that have earned this top end grade from PCGS, and impor-
tantly only 6 have been graded higher. Totally white and
lustrous, with an excellent strike as well. Both surfaces are
exceptionally clear of mentionable marks, abrasions, or
spots so common to these heavy silver coins. A very high-
end Gem example for the specialist.
Pop 42; 6 finer, 3 in
66+, 2 in 67, 1 in 68.
(
PCGS # 7072
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $5,500 - 6,000
1573
1878. 8 Tail Feathers
.
NGC graded MS-65
. Frosty and
vibrant, this nicely toned Gem is free of most grade limiting
abrasions. A popular variety that will see strong bids from Mor-
gan dollar experts.
Pop 416; 73 finer, 39 in 65 Star, 7 in
65+, 21 in 66, 6 in 66 Star
. (
PCGS # 7072
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $900 - 950
T
IED
F
OR
F
INEST
A
T
PCGS
1574
1878. 7 Tail Feathers, Reverse of 1879
.
PCGS
graded MS-66.
CAC APPROVED.
Having exhausted its
supply of 8 Tail Feathers and 7/8 Tail Feathers dies, the
Mint at last switched permanently to the anatomically cor-
rect 7 Tail Feathers version. For at least the first few
months of 1878, the reverse dies depicted an eagle with a
flat breast and a parallel fletch on the top arrow. Since no
eagle alive has a sunken chest, and unless one of the
arrows held by the eagle was bent, the perspective was
wrong, these two reverse die problems needed a fix. At the
end of 1878, a new eagle punch was incorporated where
the eagle's breast was rounded while the top fletch was
slanted. Coins struck from this new die became known as
the "Reverse of 1879" to differentiate them from the earlier
dies. It is for this reason that the 1878 7 Tail Feathers is
found with either a Reverse of 1878 (rather common) or
the Reverse of 1879. This example has been carefully pre-
served and exhibits bright snow-white surfaces and a bold
impression of the dies. As expected of the Superb grade
rating, there are no mentionable marks or problems visible
on either side. Simply put, this is one of the finest we have
seen for the date.
Pop 19; none finer at PCGS. Tied for
the finest graded at both services.
(
PCGS # 7076
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $8,000 - 9,000
