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The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar is the inaugural coin of this famous U.S. series, minted under the Bland-Allison Act.
Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, each coin weighs 26.73 grams and contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.
Three mint branches produced these coins: Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC).
Values range from $30-$100 for worn examples to thousands for rare specimens.
The most notable feature is the tail feather variation with the original design having eagles with eight tail feather, which was later corrected to seven. Carson City coins and the rare 7/8 tail feather varieties command premium prices, with pristine proof 7/8TF coins reaching over $60,000.
1878 Morgan Silver Dollar replicas exist, including the Proof Archival Edition and oversized “one pound” novelty pieces. However, these lack the precious metal content and numismatic value of authentic coins.
Learn more below!
Take this quiz and test your knowledge on 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars. Take the quiz after you’ve read my guide for your best results.
What is 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar?
1878 Morgan Silver Dollar is the first-year issue of this famous U.S. silver dollar. It features Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with seven tail feathers on the reverse.
1878 Morgan Silver Dollar was minted under the Bland-Allison Act, with key varieties distinguished by the number of tail feathers on the eagle, especially rare 8-feather versions and those from the Carson City mint (CC).
I cover all of these further below in my guide.
| Design | Lady Liberty in profile (obverse) wearing a Phrygian cap with a laurel wreath. She's surrounded by 13 stars and the date. Reverse shows a heraldic bald eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, encircled by the motto "E Pluribus Unum" and the coin's face value. |
| Year of issue | 1878 |
| Mint marks | The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar was minted in four locations: Philadelphia (no mark), "CC" (Carson City), "S" (San Francisco), and "O" (New Orleans). |
| Mintage | ~22,758,000 |
| Denomination | $1 |
| Alloy | 90% pure silver and 10% copper. |
| Weight | 26.73 grams (0.859 troy ounces) |
| Diameter | 38.1 millimeters (1.5 inches). |
| Edge | Reeded |
| OBV Designer | George T. Morgan |
| REV Designer | George T. Morgan |
Note: 1987 Morgan Silver Dollars are made from 90% silver and 10% copper added for increased durability.
This coin weighs 26.73 grams (0.859 troy ounces) which means it contains 24.057 grams (0.7734 troy ounces) of pure silver.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is the Value and Worth of 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar?
The value and worth of an 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar is from $30-$100 for coins in poor condition (depending on mint mark and design) to thousands for rare proof versions or high-grade uncirculated examples.
Especially valuable are specimens from the Carson City (CC) mint or with unique 7/8 Tail Feathers (7/8TF) varieties.
Pristine proof 7/8TF coins easily fetch over $60,000, while MS-65 CC coins can be worth over $900 and common S-mint versions around $500.
See my potential value tables and charts below along with examples of 1878 Silver Morgan’s sold for exuberant amounts of money.
8-tail feather 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Based on MS Grades
| Mint Grade | Value |
|---|---|
| MS-60 | 55-$285 |
| MS-61 | 100-$300 |
| MS-62 | 175-$350 |
| MS-63 | 500-$900 |
| MS-64 | 1000-$1700 |
| MS-65 | 2000-$4000 |
| MS-66 | 3000-$10,000 |
| MS-67 | 12,000-$23,000 |
| MS-68 | 24,000-$36,000 |
| MS-69 | 40,000-$44,000 |
| MS-70 | >$50,000 |
7-tail feather 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Based on MS Grades
| Mint Grade | Value |
|---|---|
| MS-60 | 100-$300 |
| MS-61 | 150-$400 |
| MS-62 | 200-$500 |
| MS-63 | 520-$800 |
| MS-64 | 650--$900 |
| MS-65 | 1,000-$2,000 |
| MS-66 | 3,000-$10,000 |
| MS-67 | 15,000-$20,000 |
| MS-68 | >$25,000 |
| MS-69 | >$35,000 |
| MS-70 | >$40,000 |
1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar Value Based on MS Grades
| Mint Grade | Value |
|---|---|
| MS-60 | 450-$800 |
| MS-61 | 600-$1,000 |
| MS-62 | 1,050-$1,200 |
| MS-63 | 1,300-$1,600 |
| MS-64 | 1,350-$1,700 |
| MS-65 | 1,700-$2,400 |
| MS-66 | 12,000-$17,000 |
| MS-67 | >$35,000 |
| MS-68 | >$45,000 |
| MS-69 | >$50,000 |
| MS-70 | >$60,000 |
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Which Branches of the U.S. Mint Produced the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar?
The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar was produced by three U.S. Mint’s branches: Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC).
These three mints were physically closest to silver resources and deposits at Comstock Lode (Nevada) needed for large scale coin production.
| Mint | 1878 Silver Morgan Dollar Mintage | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 9,759,300 with 7 tail feathers , 749,500 with 8 tail feathers plus 500 8TF proofs and 250 7TF proofs. | 1.79% (175,000) |
| San Francisco | 9,774,000 | 30.5914% (2,990,000) |
| Carson City | 2,212,000 | 13.3363% (295,000) |
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar 8 Tail Feathers Coin Variant?
The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar “8 Tail Feathers” (8TF) is the original, first-issue design for the series. It features an eagle with eight tail feathers, an anatomically incorrect detail which was noticed and corrected by the U.S. Mint within the same year.
This means some of 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars have a 8-feather bald eagles on reverse and most have 7-feather eagles on reverse.
The former variant is far rarer and more valuable from a numismatic perspective than the latter.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar 7-Over-8 Tail Variant?
The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar 7 over 8 Tail Variant (7/8TF) is a highly collectible first-year coin variety where the U.S. Mint initially designed the eagle on the reverse to have 8 tail feathers, but quickly switched to 7 feathers once people noticed the anatomical inaccuracy.
This led to some dies being overstruck with the new design, leaving visible remnants (tips) of the original 8 feathers under the final 7.
These coins are prized for showing the “ghost” feather tips beneath the main seven, with more visible tips increasing collector interest and value.
Fewer than <10,000 of these coins exist and each one is a numismatist’s dream come true.
Are There 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars Without Mint Marks?
Yes, there are many 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars without mint marks.
All the 1878 Silver Morgan’s struck at the Philadelphia Mint don’t have mint marks on them.
It’s because for a long time Philadelphia Mint was “The U.S. Mint” so it felt redundant to mark the coins coming out of it. The “P” mint mark only became common as other branches of the U.S. Mint opened one by one.
And that’s why other mint’s 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars carry the “S” and “CC” mint marks as a distinguishing feature from the coins minted at Philadelphia’s facilities.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Archival Edition?
The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Archival Edition is a modern, silver-plated replica made by private mints to commemorate the original historic 1878 Morgan dollars.
It comes with certificates and features the design elements of the original 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar along with a high-quality proof finish. It also has the 8-tail feather eagle as a nod to the classic mint error and variant of the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar.
This coin is a collectible novelty, and obviously distinct from authentic, high-value 1878 silver dollars which are 90% silver and carry significant numismatic worth depending on the mint state.
Note: the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Archival Edition coin is made of 90% nickel/copper alloy and 10% pure silver (.999 silver).
This is nearly the opposite of the original 1878 Silver Morgan Dollars which were made from 90% silver and 10% copper added for alloy strengthening and increased durability.
Also, remember that both copper and nickel are allergenic metals.
Meaning people with copper or nickel allergies (or both) can handle the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Archival Edition coin only when the silver plating is intact and still sufficiently thick (not worn out).
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is a One Pound 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coin?
The “One Pound 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coin” is a modern, oversized replica or novelty item made for collectors. It’s not a genuine U.S. Mint Morgan Dollar and is made of copper with a .999 silver plating.
The “one pound” refers to the weight of the novelty piece (around 453 grams), while a real Morgan Dollar weighs about 26.73 grams (roughly one ounce) and contains 90% silver.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
1878 Morgan Silver Dollar: What’s the Value of This Famous Silver U.S. Coin? Conclusion
The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar is a 90% silver coin with a value ranging from $30-$100 for worn examples to thousands for rare proofs and varieties.
Key varieties include coins from the Carson City (CC) mint and those with the scarce 8 or 7/8 tail feathers design, a correction to the original eight-feather eagle.
Authentic coins must be distinguished from modern replicas, like the silver-plated Proof Archival Edition or oversized novelty pieces, which lack the original’s precious metal content and numismatic value.
References:
- 1878 S Morgan Dollar Value- https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/dollars/morgan-dollars-1878-1921/17082/1878-s-1-ms/
- 1878 CC Morgan Dollar Value- https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/dollars/morgan-dollars-1878-1921/17080/1878-cc-1-ms/
- 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Archival Edition- https://www.americanmint.com/1878-morgan-silver-dollar-proof-archival-edition-us-8202239
- Morgan dollar- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_dollar
- One Pound “1878” Morgan Silver Dollar PROOF- https://www.reddit.com/r/Silverbugs/comments/15rempd/one_pound_1878_morgan_silver_dollar_proof/
- 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars Auctions: https://www.greatcollections.com/Series/55/Morgan-Silver-Dollars
- 1878-S Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-64 (PCGS). https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-s-1/97083/-3871129284790338661
- Morgan Dollar, 1878-CC MS- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/details/1878-cc-ms/97081
- 1878 Morgan Dollar
7 Over 8 Tailfeathers (7/8TF)- https://stacksbowers.com/coin-resource-center/coin/1878-7tf-over-8tf-morgan-dollar/ - 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “CC”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)- https://www.coinvaluechecker.com/how-much-is-a-1878-morgan-silver-dollar-worth/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
