8tf Morgan variety?

logger7

I tried to look the vam on this. Is it the "spearpoint"?

IkesT

No. It looks like VAM-7 or VAM-14.5 Spiked "A".

IkesT

Any clearer photos of the obverse? The VAM-7 is common, but the VAM-14.5 is a better variety.

logger7

@IkesT said:
Any clearer photos of the obverse? The VAM-7 is common, but the VAM-14.5 is a better variety.

johnny9434

Nice toning

IkesT

Thanks; it appears that it checks out for the VAM-14.5, which is the rarer variety. 👍

https://vamworld.com/wiki/1878-P_VAM-14.5

It looks cleaned, which unfortunately takes away a lot of value, but still a nice find from the perspective of scarcity.

It wouldn't hurt to have a dealer look at it in hand to see if they think it could pass for UNC details. The variety is almost unknown in uncirculated condition, so even an UNC details coin would probably be worth holdering. Looking at the TPG populations, it appears there are just 2 graded NGC MS60, and I did not find any UNC details coins in my search of past sales.

Whether it is worth holdering an AU details example is borderline. A few have sold on GC for around $100, but a nicer looking one sold recently on eBay for $370.

logger7

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1878-8tf-1-vam-14-5-open-nostril-hot-50/133800

It's hard to put accurate numbers on these. Also PLs often look "cleaned" due to the contrast and fields.

logger7

Apmex has theirs for over > @IkesT said:

Thanks; it appears that it checks out for the VAM-14.5, which is the rarer variety. 👍

https://vamworld.com/wiki/1878-P_VAM-14.5

It looks cleaned, which unfortunately takes away a lot of value, but still a nice find from the perspective of scarcity.

It wouldn't hurt to have a dealer look at it in hand to see if they think it could pass for UNC details. The variety is almost unknown in uncirculated condition, so even an UNC details coin would probably be worth holdering. Looking at the TPG populations, it appears there are just 2 graded NGC MS60, and I did not find any UNC details coins in my search of past sales.

Whether it is worth holdering an AU details example is borderline. A few have sold on GC for around $100, but a nicer looking one sold recently on eBay for $370.

Apmex has theirs listed for over $3K in AU58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115866392664

IkesT

@logger7 said:
Apmex has theirs for over > @IkesT said:

Thanks; it appears that it checks out for the VAM-14.5, which is the rarer variety. 👍

https://vamworld.com/wiki/1878-P_VAM-14.5

It looks cleaned, which unfortunately takes away a lot of value, but still a nice find from the perspective of scarcity.

It wouldn't hurt to have a dealer look at it in hand to see if they think it could pass for UNC details. The variety is almost unknown in uncirculated condition, so even an UNC details coin would probably be worth holdering. Looking at the TPG populations, it appears there are just 2 graded NGC MS60, and I did not find any UNC details coins in my search of past sales.

Whether it is worth holdering an AU details example is borderline. A few have sold on GC for around $100, but a nicer looking one sold recently on eBay for $370.

Apmex has theirs listed for over $3K in AU58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115866392664

Take that price with a grain of salt, since it's not a sold listing. A PCGS AU58 example sold on Heritage for $1,200 in 2023. Looks like the record auction price for the variety is a PCGS AU55 that sold on Heritage for $2,640 in 2025.

If your coin received a straight grade, it would be a real score, but the wiped-looking area in front of Liberty's face worries me.