Coin Value Lookup » 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar is the inaugural year of one of America's most collected coin series, and it comes in a surprising number of varieties. Adopted guide estimates range from about $74.00 to $105,928.00 depending on the specific version, finish and grade.

Before you assign any value, you need to pin down exactly which branch you have — tail-feather count, reverse style, mintmark and whether it is a business strike or proof all matter.

Fast Way to Identify Your 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar

Upload clear photos of both the front and back of your 1878 Morgan Dollar for a preliminary identification. A sharp image of the reverse is especially important because the tail-feather count and arrow-feather angle separate several distinct versions.

Good lighting with no glare helps distinguish original surfaces from cleaning or polishing.

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Value

Upload both sides of your 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar.

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Obv

Front Obverse

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Rev

Back Reverse

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Which 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Versions Are Worth Money?

  • 1878 7TF, 1879 Reverse Proof — a guide estimate of $105,928.00 at PR63 makes proper identification of the slanted arrow feather and rounded breast critical.
  • 1878 7TF, 1878 Reverse Proof — guide estimate around $6,866.00 at PR63; look for parallel arrow feathers and flat eagle breast on a genuine proof finish.
  • 1878 8TF Proof — guide estimate of $4,979.00 at PR63; confirm eight tail feathers and true proof surfaces, not just a prooflike business strike.
  • 1878 7TF Reverse of 1879 business strike — guide estimate of $2,534.00 at MS65; the slanted arrow feather distinguishes it from the Reverse of 1878.
  • 1878 8TF business strike — guide estimate of $2,534.00 at MS65; eight full tail feathers with no trace of an underlying seventh.
  • 1878-CC — the Carson City mintmark alone pushes the G4 guide estimate to $244.00, well above Philadelphia issues at the same grade.

Step 1: Identify Your 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Mint Mark and Version

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin: Mint & Version Guide with all listed versions and genuine identifying details

1878 Morgan Dollar design and mint comparison with genuine specimen closeups

Start on the reverse. Count the eagle's tail feathers: you will find either seven or eight.

If you see eight, that is straightforward. If you see seven but traces of an eighth feather peek through underneath, you may have the 7/8 Tail Feather overdate-style variety.

Next, examine the top pair of arrow feathers near the eagle's talons. On the Reverse of 1878, those feathers run roughly parallel, and the eagle's breast is relatively flat.

On the Reverse of 1879, the top arrow feather slants noticeably, and the breast is more rounded.

Flip the coin over and check below the wreath bow on the reverse for a mintmark. No mark means Philadelphia.

A "CC" is Carson City, and an "S" is San Francisco. No other mintmarks apply to 1878 Morgans in this guide.

All business-strike 1878 Morgans are 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a reeded edge. Proofs share the same composition but are a distinct manufacturing finish — not simply a high-grade or shiny coin.

A coin with prooflike surfaces is still a business strike and should not be confused with an actual proof.

Step 2: Check Your 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Grade

1878 Morgan Dollar numeric grading guide

Focus on Liberty's hair above the ear and across the cap first. In lower circulated grades these strands blend together into flat patches.

A coin grading around Good-4 will show a smooth profile with almost no hair detail, while a Very Fine piece retains sharp definition in the ear area but shows obvious wear on the highest curls.

At About Uncirculated, look for tiny friction on the cheek and the very top of the cap. The luster should still be mostly intact in the fields.

Mint State coins retain full original luster, but bag marks — small nicks from other coins during storage — can drag the grade down without being actual circulation wear. A heavily bag-marked MS-60 and a nearly pristine MS-65 are worlds apart in value, so compare your coin carefully against the grading image.

On the reverse, the eagle's breast feathers and wing tips wear first. Match your coin to the same type and finish in the comparison image; do not compare a business strike against a proof.

Step 3: Check 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Value by Mint and Version

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 8TF

1878 8TF with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878 8 Tail Feather is a Philadelphia business strike showing eight distinct tail feathers on the eagle. Count carefully — if you see any ghost of a seventh feather underneath, you may have the 7/8TF variety instead.

Guide estimates place this version at about $128.00 in G4 and $2,534.00 in MS65. Original surfaces matter here; cleaned or polished coins lose comparability to these figures.

Prooflike or deep-mirror prooflike surfaces on eligible business strikes can affect pricing but are surface designations, not proof manufacture.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 — Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 — Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 — Coin Identifier
G G 4 Coin Identifier
G 6 — Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 — Coin Identifier
VG 10 Coin Identifier
F F 12 — Coin Identifier
F 15 — Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 — Coin Identifier
VF 25 — Coin Identifier
VF 30 Coin Identifier
VF 35 Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 Coin Identifier
MS 68 — Coin Identifier
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 7/8TF Strong

1878 7/8TF Strong with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878 7/8 Tail Feather Strong variety is a Philadelphia business strike where seven tail feathers were struck over an earlier eight-feather design. Under magnification you can see remnants of the eighth feather beneath the current seven.

This overstriking is what gives the variety its name and its collector interest. Guide estimates sit at roughly $128.00 in G4 and $2,534.00 in MS65.

Make sure the underlying eighth feather is clearly visible before attributing this version — a faint impression alone may not be enough for third-party confirmation.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 — Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 — Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 — Coin Identifier
G G 4 — Coin Identifier
G 6 — Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 — Coin Identifier
VG 10 — Coin Identifier
F F 12 Coin Identifier
F 15 — Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 — Coin Identifier
VF 25 — Coin Identifier
VF 30 — Coin Identifier
VF 35 — Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 — — —
MS 68 — — —
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 7TF Reverse of 1878

1878 7TF Reverse of 1878 with genuine date, mint and design closeups

This Philadelphia business strike shows seven tail feathers paired with the Reverse of 1878 design. The key diagnostic is the top arrow feathers running roughly parallel and the eagle's breast appearing relatively flat.

Guide estimates are about $74.00 in G4 and $1,164.00 in MS65. It is one of the more affordable 1878 Philadelphia varieties, but high-grade examples with original surfaces still carry solid premiums.

Do not confuse this with the Reverse of 1879, which has a slanted arrow feather and rounded breast.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 — Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 — Coin Identifier
G G 4 — Coin Identifier
G 6 — Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 — Coin Identifier
VG 10 — Coin Identifier
F F 12 — Coin Identifier
F 15 Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 — Coin Identifier
VF 25 Coin Identifier
VF 30 Coin Identifier
VF 35 Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 — Coin Identifier
MS 68 — — —
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 7TF Reverse of 1879

1878 7TF Reverse of 1879 with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878 7TF Reverse of 1879 is a Philadelphia business strike combining seven tail feathers with the later reverse design. Look for a distinctly slanted top arrow feather and a rounder, more sculpted eagle breast compared to the 1878 reverse.

Guide estimates run from about $74.00 in G4 up to $2,534.00 in MS65 — a significant jump over the Reverse of 1878 version at the same high grade. That MS65 premium reflects stronger collector demand for this reverse pairing.

Cleaning or polishing will hurt value, and PL or DMPL designations apply only to eligible business strikes.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 — Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 — Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 — Coin Identifier
G G 4 — Coin Identifier
G 6 — Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 — Coin Identifier
VG 10 — Coin Identifier
F F 12 Coin Identifier
F 15 — Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 — Coin Identifier
VF 25 — Coin Identifier
VF 30 — Coin Identifier
VF 35 — Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 Coin Identifier
MS 68 — — —
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — CC

1878-CC with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878-CC is the first-year Morgan Dollar from the Carson City Mint. Look for the small "CC" mintmark below the wreath bow on the reverse.

Carson City coins carry a built-in premium among collectors because of the mint's relatively short operating history and lower output. Guide estimates are about $244.00 in G4 and $966.00 in MS65.

Even well-worn examples command noticeably more than their Philadelphia counterparts. Original surfaces and the absence of cleaning are especially important for maintaining the CC premium.

Coin Value Lookup is a handy starting point if you want to look up other dates and mintmarks in the Morgan Dollar series or compare values across different coin types.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 — Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 Coin Identifier
G G 4 Coin Identifier
G 6 Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 Coin Identifier
VG 10 Coin Identifier
F F 12 Coin Identifier
F 15 Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 Coin Identifier
VF 25 Coin Identifier
VF 30 Coin Identifier
VF 35 Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 Coin Identifier
MS 68 — — —
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — S

1878-S with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint, identified by the small "S" below the reverse wreath bow. Guide estimates start around $74.00 in G4 and reach about $534.00 at MS65.

San Francisco strikes from this year are generally well-made, and finding one with good luster is not unusual. Still, bag marks and surface quality separate a run-of-the-mill Mint State coin from a truly choice example.

As with all business strikes, PL and DMPL are surface designations, not proof finishes.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PO PO 1 — Coin Identifier
FR FR 2 — Coin Identifier
AG AG 3 — Coin Identifier
G G 4 — Coin Identifier
G 6 — Coin Identifier
VG VG 8 Coin Identifier
VG 10 — Coin Identifier
F F 12 — Coin Identifier
F 15 Coin Identifier
VF VF 20 Coin Identifier
VF 25 — Coin Identifier
VF 30 — Coin Identifier
VF 35 — Coin Identifier
XF XF 40 Coin Identifier
XF 45 Coin Identifier
AU AU 50 — Coin Identifier
AU 53 Coin Identifier
AU 55 Coin Identifier
AU 58 Coin Identifier
MS MS 60 Coin Identifier
MS 61 Coin Identifier
MS 62 Coin Identifier
MS 63 Coin Identifier
MS 64 Coin Identifier
MS 65 Coin Identifier
MS 66 Coin Identifier
MS 67 Coin Identifier
MS 68 Coin Identifier
MS 69 — — —
MS 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 8TF PR

1878 8TF PR with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878 8TF Proof is a Philadelphia proof-finish coin with eight tail feathers. A proof is a specific manufacturing finish — coins struck on polished planchets with specially prepared dies — not simply a high-grade or shiny business strike.

Do not confuse prooflike business strikes with actual proofs. The guide estimate at PR63 is about $4,979.00.

Confirming genuine proof status typically requires professional authentication, because a deeply mirrored business strike can fool an untrained eye. Count all eight tail feathers and verify the proof finish before paying a proof premium.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PR PR 1 — Coin Identifier
PR 2 — Coin Identifier
PR 3 — Coin Identifier
PR 4 — Coin Identifier
PR 6 — Coin Identifier
PR 8 — Coin Identifier
PR 10 — Coin Identifier
PR 12 — Coin Identifier
PR 15 — Coin Identifier
PR 20 — Coin Identifier
PR 25 — Coin Identifier
PR 30 — Coin Identifier
PR 35 — Coin Identifier
PR 40 — Coin Identifier
PR 45 — Coin Identifier
PR 50 — Coin Identifier
PR 53 — Coin Identifier
PR 55 — Coin Identifier
PR 58 — Coin Identifier
PR 60 Coin Identifier
PR 61 Coin Identifier
PR 62 Coin Identifier
PR 63 Coin Identifier
PR 64 Coin Identifier
PR 65 Coin Identifier
PR 66 Coin Identifier
PR 67 Coin Identifier
PR 68 — — —
PR 69 — — —
PR 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 7TF, 1878 Reverse PR

1878 7TF, 1878 Reverse PR with genuine date, mint and design closeups

This is the proof version of the 7 Tail Feather, Reverse of 1878 Morgan Dollar from Philadelphia. Look for parallel top arrow feathers and a flat eagle breast to confirm the 1878 reverse, then verify the coin has true proof surfaces — sharp rims, deeply mirrored fields, and frosted devices are typical.

The guide estimate at PR63 is about $6,866.00. These are scarce coins produced in very limited numbers.

A prooflike business strike is not a proof, and paying proof prices for a misidentified coin is an expensive mistake.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PR PR 1 — Coin Identifier
PR 2 — Coin Identifier
PR 3 — Coin Identifier
PR 4 — Coin Identifier
PR 6 — Coin Identifier
PR 8 — Coin Identifier
PR 10 — Coin Identifier
PR 12 — Coin Identifier
PR 15 — Coin Identifier
PR 20 — Coin Identifier
PR 25 — Coin Identifier
PR 30 — Coin Identifier
PR 35 — Coin Identifier
PR 40 — Coin Identifier
PR 45 — Coin Identifier
PR 50 Coin Identifier
PR 58 — Coin Identifier
PR 60 — Coin Identifier
PR 61 Coin Identifier
PR 62 Coin Identifier
PR 63 Coin Identifier
PR 64 Coin Identifier
PR 65 Coin Identifier
PR 66 Coin Identifier
PR 67 Coin Identifier
PR 68 — — —
PR 69 — — —
PR 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — 7TF, 1879 Reverse PR

1878 7TF, 1879 Reverse PR with genuine date, mint and design closeups

The 1878 7TF, 1879 Reverse Proof is the standout of the entire 1878 Morgan Dollar lineup. It combines seven tail feathers with the Reverse of 1879 design in a proof finish.

The slanted top arrow feather and rounded eagle breast confirm the reverse type; genuine proof surfaces confirm the finish. At PR63 the guide estimate is a staggering $105,928.00.

That figure reflects extreme rarity — very few were made. Professional authentication is essential before buying or selling at this level.

This is not a coin you casually identify at home and list online.


Need help grading?Coin Identifier
RangeGrade Price Auction RecordsAppraisal
PR PR 1 — Coin Identifier
PR 2 — Coin Identifier
PR 3 — Coin Identifier
PR 4 — Coin Identifier
PR 6 — Coin Identifier
PR 8 — Coin Identifier
PR 10 — Coin Identifier
PR 12 — Coin Identifier
PR 15 — Coin Identifier
PR 20 — Coin Identifier
PR 25 — Coin Identifier
PR 30 — Coin Identifier
PR 35 — Coin Identifier
PR 40 — Coin Identifier
PR 45 — Coin Identifier
PR 50 — Coin Identifier
PR 53 — Coin Identifier
PR 55 — Coin Identifier
PR 58 — Coin Identifier
PR 60 — Coin Identifier
PR 61 Coin Identifier
PR 62 — Coin Identifier
PR 63 — Coin Identifier
PR 64 — Coin Identifier
PR 65 — — —
PR 66 — — —
PR 67 — — —
PR 68 — — —
PR 69 — — —
PR 70 — — —

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Error List

1. 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — Rotated Dies

A rotated die error on a 1878 Morgan Dollar means the reverse is turned from its normal alignment relative to the obverse. To check, hold the obverse upright and flip the coin top to bottom along a vertical axis.

On a normally aligned US coin the reverse will also appear upright. If the eagle is tilted at an angle, you may have a rotated reverse die.

The degree of rotation matters for collector interest — a slight tilt of a few degrees is far less notable than a dramatic 90- or 180-degree rotation. Condition, visibility of the rotation, and the specific mint all affect what a collector might pay.

No adopted price is available for this error, so individual assessment based on the coin in hand is necessary.

Do not confuse a rotated die with a photograph taken at an angle or a coin simply turned sideways in a holder.

2. 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar — Off-Center Strike

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not properly seated between the dies, resulting in a displaced design and an unstruck crescent along part of the rim. On a 1878 Morgan Dollar this is a scarce occurrence.

A reported example is an 1878-S Morgan struck roughly 5% off center that was graded MS62 by PCGS and appeared at auction.

The percentage of off-center displacement and whether the full date remains visible are the two biggest factors driving collector interest. A coin with a readable date is far more desirable than one where the date has shifted off the planchet entirely.

Condition and the specific mint and version affect value, but no adopted price range is available for this error. Be careful not to mistake a clipped planchet, one-sided die misalignment, or post-mint damage such as flattening for a genuine off-center strike.

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