1878-S Morgan Dollar VAM-6: The DDO "RIB" From San Francisco

The 1878-S VAM-6 is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM and a Top 30 1878-S variety. Francis Klaes discovered it in June 1963. Its doubled "RIB" mirrors the famous 1878-P VAM-5, and it can be found in circulated grades.

How to identify it

• Obverse: motto letters are doubled on the surface, and LIBERTY is doubled, shifted left and up. The point on the fourth right star is not broken.

• Reverse: a smooth feather is engraved between the eagle's right wing and leg, with engraving lines between the right wing and body. The R in Trust is broken. This Short Nock reverse is shared with VAM-44.

What buyers and collectors should know

The engraved wing feather adds visual interest to what is already a recognizable doubled die. Buyers should confirm both the doubled LIBERTY and the broken R in Trust. Collectors comparing 1878-P and 1878-S doubled motto coins will find it a natural companion piece.

About the date

The 1878-S had a mintage of 9,774,000 from 90 obverse and 84 reverse dies, and the die study is complete. There are two reverse types, B1 (Long Nock, parallel arrow feather) and B2 (Short Nock), and more than 80 official VAM listings. VAM-6 uses a Short Nock reverse, so it does not carry the premium that Long Nock coins command, but it is an accessible Hot 50 entry for the date.

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