1878 7 Tail Feathers...PAF vs. SAF

OneCent

1878 7 Tail Feathers, 1878 Reverse (PAF)

vs.

1878 7 Tail Feathers, 1879 Reverse (SAF)



I've looked at both reverses in the registry and STILL cannot differentiate the "parallel arrow feathers" (PAF) vs. the "slanting arrow feathers" (SAF). Maybe I don't know what the heck I am looking for? Is this an obvious difference?

Stuart

<< Is this an obvious difference? >>

Yes, it is a very obvious difference, and well documented with excellent photos to demonstrate this in The Red Book.

1878 Morgan Dollar Reverse Varieties - VAMWorld


Following images courtesy of VAMWorld web site:

On Reverse 1 the eagle has 8 Tail Feathers


The eagle on Reverse 2 has 7 Tail Feathers with narrow arrow feathers


Reverse 3, referred to as the Reverse of the 1879 Morgan, boasts 7 Feathers on the eagle with the arrow feather widening and almost touching the leaves of the olive branch.

savoyspecial

go to VAMworld dot com and search Morgan Dollar 1879-S and then view Rev of 78 vs. Rev of 79

the difference should be obvious at that point

good luck!

Rampage

I agree with Stuart. This is very well documented, described, pictured, etc., and very obvious to the naked eye. In addition to the Redbook, you can go to Vamworld to see images. To help make it easier for you, simply look at the top arrow feather on the reverse. That is one place where you will tell.

OneCent

Savoy - VamWorld did the trick. I now know the difference between PAF and SAF.

In case others uninitiated in Morgans have the same question, here is the link.

1878 Reverses

AUandAG

OK,,,,,let's get real simple here.

There are arrows in the clutch of the eagle's claw. One end has arrow heads and the
other end has arrow feathers.

Now, compare the topmost arrow feathers on the two different reverses.

On one you will see that the feathers are parallel to the feathers just below the topmost feathers (the arrow underneath).

On the other you will see that they are not parallel but the topmost feathers are slanted as compared
to the ones immediately underneath on the adjacent arrow.

bob

coindeuce

One can also learn to differentiate the design of the eagle between the PAF and SAF reverse. On the PAF design, the eagle's breast will be concave(receding, or exhaling). On the SAF design, the eagle's breast will be convex(protruding, or inhaling).