Please help me identify the Variety of my 1878 7TF

I have been trying to identify the exact variety of my 1878 7TF Morgan. So far, I am seeing signs that it is a possible VAM-17 DS3? It has signs of the later versions with the proof-like polishing, the 4th right star is broken, and it's hard to see with my not-so-good camera, but maybe some slight ear doubling.

Photos attached. Thanks!

 

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@Andrew HK-coins

Are you looking at the right page on VAMWorld?

http://www.vamworld.com/1878-S+VAMs

Chris

 

Yes that is where I was looking. There is so much there so I have just been trying to narrow it all down.

 

VAMWorld isn't organized very well for 1878-S. The key to attributing these is usually a combination of the 'r' in 'trust' (whether or not it's complete or broken) and any engraved feather under the eagle's right (viewer's left) wing. While not all 78-S have an engraved feather, many do, as does yours. For a quick comparison of how this can look, take a look at the pages for VAMs 5, 8, 30, and 35, as they show good pictures of this feature. Leroy Van Allen produced an 1878-S attribution guide several years ago that has a "mug book" section of this engraving for both broken 'r' and unbroken 'r'. If you don't find the right one on VAMWorld (it's not a VAM 17), I'll take a look at the book tonight.

 

Thank you VERY much for all of that information! Very helpful! Pretty cool to get help from the President of SSDC, I might add! I'll see what I find and update this thread later today.