1878 7/8 weak or strong????

AtcBob

How do you tell the difference between the weak and the strong tail feather variety of the 1878 7/8???

Gilbert

I believe PCGS designates 3 feathers and below as a weak variety. Of course, I am referring to the "underlying" design. On another note, I would prefer if the would just simply designate the actual number of feathers remaining of the underlying design, e.g, Vam43 is so-called doubled or 7/8 tailfeather variety however none of the actual TF are visible, only the polishing marks. In this case 7/0tf more accurately describes it, and narrows the possibilities down to 1 of 3 varieties instead of 1 of all the possibles with 3 or less feathers. Another example that more clearly points out the insignificance of this weak v strong designation; Vam33 may be found with 3 to 5tf visible - they are all of equal value BUT prices are less for weak than strong. Both Vam44 and Vam33 can be found with five fea and therefore designated as the "strong" variety, but 44 is the most rare and 33 is the most common of the variety. Go figure.

BillJones

The strong varieties clearly show the tips of the additional tail feathers below the main tail feathers. The weak varieties either show none or very minor indications of the additional tail feathers.

Interestingly enough some of the “weak” varieties have lots of interesting doubling on the claws and leaves and are really nice coins. All the emphasis is on the tail features however.

Send me a PM if you would like to puchase one of these coins. Here’s an example of one of the strong varieties. This is a VAM 38.

paigowjohnny

From all I've read...you have to see parts of at least 5 tail feathers underlying.

My 7/8 was called strong in the auction I bought it...it's an NGC and NGC doesn't differentiate strong and weak like PCGS. I can see 4 feather tips very clearly, but I've gotta dig out my 10x loupe and look for the fifth and hints of the sixth.

Bill Jones' example is excellent...looks a lot like mine, esxcept my 5th underlying feather, farthest on the left as you look at it, is not quite as clear.

AtcBob

So, what would this be?

Outhaul

That would be strong

Gilbert

From all I've read...you have to see parts of at least 5 tail feathers underlying.

paigowjohnny,
please expound on your reference, for info purposes?

paigowjohnny

" The Comprehensive Encyclopaedia of Silver Dollars" by John Highfill. One of the features is a date by date breakdown of all Morgan and Peace dollars