This guide should help you properly attribute your 1878-P VAMs

Step 1 : Determine the Number of tail feathers

7 Tail Feathers or 8 Tail Feathers, if it is 8TF then go to Step 2

7 Tail Feather Reverse of 79 with a short nock and Slanted Feather (SAF)
also known as 3rd Reverse

Whats the differences between C1, C2, and C3 Reverses??
VEFB Here is a thread that SW Hamilton wrote to help simplify the 3rd Reverse Syndrome
[[1]]

7 Tail Feather Reverse of 78 with a short Nock PAF B2 Reverse
VAMS 100-199 Reverse
Reverse of 78 Short Nocks
Also Known as the 2nd Reverse B2
The features of 7 TF's showing, Parrallel Arrow Feather and a Short nock refer to the Length of center Arrow Feather

A. Closed O in GOD and a unbroken R in TRUST - VAMS 100-134/190-198

B. Open O in GOD and a unbroken R in TRUST - VAMS 140-146

C. Broken r in trust - VAMS 160-189

7 Tail Feather with a Long Nock PAF B1 Reverse
VAMS 70-86
Also Known as 2nd Reverse B1
Feature 7 Tail Feathers showing with a Long nock and Disconnected leaves on the Olive Branch

VAM-83 and VAM-84 do NOT have a disconnected leaves
Disconnected Leaves: VAM-70 VAM-79 VAM-80 VAM-80A VAM-81 VAM-82 VAM-85 VAM-86

Here is a Link to the B1 Attribution Guide created by Alefzero
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+B1
Here is a photo of an obviously broken specimen

Barely broken specimen

7 over 8 Tail Feather Long Nock PAF
VAMS 30-45
Also Known as 2nd Reverse
If you have a 7 over 8 Tail Feather Reverse you will need to Count them and refer to listings for Identifcation. Carefully check the area in the field under the Olive Branch for other Die Markers and Match them as well with the listings.

The 7 over 8 TF's are listed as 7/0, 7/3,7/4,7/5 and 7/7
the 7/0 TF's are easily confused with the B1 reverses be thorough when checking these diagnostics
The VAM-30 is a 7/0 which has an extra Talon below the Olive Branch..the B1 reverses are clear in this area
The VAM-31 is also a 7/0 however on the Obverse of the coin the N and M are broken in UNUM....B1's are Full Letters
The VAM-45 is also A 7/0 with strongly doubled legs on the Eagle

8TF 1st Reverse
1. If you are discussing Tail Feathers, each lower feather is referenced by a number
from right to left... Furthest right is #1 Tail Feather and furthest left is the #8 Tail Feather
2. [RonH270] Has uploaded all of the 8TF large full photo's available on the appropriate page for that VAM
some are high resolution so you can blow them up and still see details by using Ctrl + keys
cropped photo's were taken from those Photo's.

Step 2:

If is a 8TF coin then Match the left and right Feather configuration shown here in the Red boxes with your coin. from the various options below

VAM-1
Reverse A¹a
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-1

An excellent marker for this Variety is the "Jump Rope" Between the E of ONE and D of DOLLAR

VAM-2 VAM-2A
Reverse A¹b
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-2

Easy to see Marker for this variety

VAM-3 VAM-4 VAM-5 VAM-14.6 VAM-14.7 VAM-14.11 VAM-14.12 VAM-14.14 VAM-14.17 VAM-14.18
A good marker for this reverse is a blob of metal at the bottom of the F.
The A1c reverse is shared by Vams 3, 4, 5, 14-6, 14-7, 14-11, 14-12, 14-14, 14-17, and 14-18.

VAM-6 VAM-7 VAM-14.5 VAM-14.8 VAM-14.19
This variety shares the Reverse A1d with VAMs 6, 7, 14-5, 14-8, and 14-19.
There are Proof examples of the 14-8

VAM-8
Reverse A1g
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-8

VAM-9 First Die Pair , 9A
Reverse A1h
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-9
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-9A
Here is an interest thread[[2]]
[nesvt] posted this Link with More excellent close ups of the pertinent areas of a VAM-9
[[3]]

VAM-10 VAM-15'
Reverse A1e
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-10
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-15

VAM-12 VAM-16 VAM-17
The A1f reverse is shared by the 1878-P VAM-12, 1878-P VAM-16, and 1878-P VAM-17

VAM-14
Reverse A1j
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14

VAM-14.1 VAM-14.10
Reverse A1k
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.1
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.1A
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.10

VAM-14.2 VAM-14.15 VAM-14.20
Reverse A1l
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.2
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.15
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.20

VAM-14.3
Reverse A1m
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.3
There are Proof examples of the 14-3

VAM-14.4
Reverse A1i
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-14.4

VAM-14.9 VAM-14.13 VAM-14,16
The reverse A1n design is shared by 1878-P VAM-14.9, 1878-P VAM-14.13, and 1878-P VAM-14.16

Quick reference Photo of the Left Laurel Wreath for VAM's 18,19,20

VAM-18
Reverse A2/A1a
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-18

VAM-19 VAM-23
Reverse A2/A1b
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-19
VAM-19 vs Vam-20 By Unicorn Incognito Here 19 vs 20

http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-23

VAM-20 VAM-21
Reverse A2/A1c
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-20

http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-21
VAM-22 VAM-22A VAM-22B
Reverse A2/A1e
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-22
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-22A
http://www.vamworld.com/1878-P+VAM-22B

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