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The 1878 7TF Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $3,500 in high-grade mint state. As the very first year of the iconic Morgan Silver Dollar series, this specific “7 Tail Feathers” variety is a favorite among collectors due to its unique history and numerous design variations.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Good (G4) to Very Good (VG8) | $35 – $45 |
| Fine (F12) to Very Fine (VF20) | $50 – $65 |
| Extremely Fine (XF45) | $75 – $90 |
| About Uncirculated (AU50) | $110 – $150 |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS63) | $180 – $450 |
| Mint State (MS65+) | $1,200+ |
Understanding the 1878 7TF Morgan Dollar History
If you have just discovered an old silver dollar in a drawer or a passed-down collection, you are likely looking at a piece of American history. The year 1878 marked the return of the silver dollar after a five-year hiatus. Because this was the inaugural year, the U.S. Mint went through several trial-and-error design changes regarding the eagle’s tail feathers on the reverse side. To accurately identify your find, using a top coin identifier app can be incredibly helpful for beginners who aren’t familiar with minting nuances.
The “7TF” stands for 7 Tail Feathers. Originally, the first 1878 dollars were minted with 8 tail feathers (8TF). However, mint officials quickly decided that an odd number of feathers was more “anatomically correct” or perhaps just more aesthetically pleasing. They changed the dies to show 7 feathers. This resulted in three main categories for the 1878 year: the 8TF, the 7/8TF (where 7 feathers were stamped over 8), and the standard 7TF varieties.
If you are unsure which version you hold, the CoinKnow app can analyze a photo of your coin to determine its specific variety. Modern collectors often obsess over these differences because they drastically impact the 1878 Reverse Morgan Dollar value. While millions were struck, many were melted down or heavily circulated, making clean, shiny examples quite scarce today.
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The Three Main 1878 Reverse Varieties
When looking at the 1878 7TF, collectors further categorize the coin by the “Reverse” design used. There are two primary types of reverses for the 7TF: the “Second Reverse” (SAF – Slanted Accessory Feathers) and the “Third Reverse” (PAF – Parallel Arrow Feathers). The SAF version features a flat eagle chest and a top feather on the arrows that is slanted. The PAF version, which became the standard for years to follow, depicts a rounded eagle chest and a top arrow feather that is parallel to the others.
Identifying these subtle differences is the key to determining the true 1878 silver dollar value, as some die pairings are much rarer than others. For example, the 1878-S (San Francisco) and 1878-CC (Carson City) also used these 7TF designs, but their values differ based on the mint mark and the specific reverse used during production.
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| Variety Type | Identifying Feature | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Tail Feathers | Exactly 8 feathers on eagle | Scarce |
| 7/8 Tail Feathers | Feather tips showing under 7 feathers | Highly Desirable |
| 7TF Second Reverse (SAF) | Flat chest, slanted top arrow feather | Common |
| 7TF Third Reverse (PAF) | Rounded chest, parallel arrow feather | Abundant |
Determining Value by Mint Mark (P, S, CC)
The 1878 7TF was struck at three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC). The Philadelphia issues are the most common in the 7TF category, but high-grade examples still command a premium. To see how these compare against other initial strikes, check out the 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar price data to understand why more feathers often mean more money.
The Carson City (CC) mint mark is the holy grail for most everyday Americans. Because the Carson City mint produced fewer coins, an 1878-CC with 7 tail feathers is significantly more valuable than its Philadelphia counterpart. In fact, an AU (About Uncirculated) 1878-CC can easily fetch $400, while a Philadelphia coin in the same condition might only bring $120.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Using CoinKnow, you can quickly zoom in on the reverse of the coin, just above the “DO” in “DOLLAR,” to locate the mint mark. If you don’t see a letter there, it was minted in Philadelphia. If you see a small ‘S’ or ‘CC’, you might have a much bigger payday on your hands.
| Mint Mark | Mintage (Approx) | Avg. Market Value (VF) |
|---|---|---|
| None (Philadelphia) | 9,700,000 | $55 |
| S (San Francisco) | 9,700,000 | $60 |
| CC (Carson City) | 2,200,000 | $250 |
Grading and Condition: Why Small Scratches Matter
The condition of your 1878 Morgan Dollar is the single most important factor in its valuation. Coin collectors use a 70-point scale known as the Sheldon Scale. A coin that has been carried in a pocket for years might be graded “Good” (G4), meaning it is very worn. A coin that looks like it just came from the mint is “Mint State” (MS60-70).
When evaluating your 1878 Reverse Morgan Dollar value, look closely at the “high points” of the design. On the front (obverse), look at Lady Liberty’s hair above her ear. If the hair strands are smooth and merged, the coin is circulated. On the back (reverse), look at the eagle’s breast feathers. If the feathers are crisp and individual, you have a high-grade coin.
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Even a single small scratch or a smudge from a finger (the oils can damage the silver over time) can drop the price by hundreds of dollars. This is why you should never clean your coins. Cleaning a silver dollar creates micro-scratches that “break” the original mint luster, often cutting the value in half instantly. If you believe you have a high-grade coin, download CoinKnow to compare your coin’s luster and detail against high-resolution images of certified specimens.
The “Reverse of 1878” vs. “Reverse of 1879”
A fascinating detail for the 1878 7TF is the transition into the 1879 design. Late in 1878, the mint slightly updated the reverse die. This created two sub-varieties that collectors hunt for. The “Reverse of 1878” has a flat breast on the eagle and a slanted top arrow feather. The “Reverse of 1879” has a rounded breast and a parallel top arrow feather.
For the Philadelphia mint, the “Reverse of 1879” variety is actually quite common. However, if you find an 1878-S with the “Reverse of 1879” (Parallel Arrow Feathers), it is a very sought-after coin. Most 1878-S dollars used the Second Reverse (Slanted). Finding an “S” mint coin with the “Third Reverse” features can lead to a significant price bump in the collector market.
Always remember that these details are microscopic. You might need a magnifying glass or a high-quality smartphone camera. Identifying these nuances is what separates a $40 coin from a $400 coin. High-quality digital tools and databases are your best friend when navigating the complex world of first-year Morgan Dollars.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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How to Sell Your 1878 7TF Morgan Dollar
Once you’ve identified your coin using CoinKnow and determined its approximate value, you might want to sell it. For coins worth under $100, local coin shops or reputable online marketplaces are usually the best bet. You will likely receive 60-70% of the “retail” value, as the shop needs to make a profit.
For coins that appear to be in Mint State (MS63 and above) or the rare Carson City varieties, it is often worth getting them “slabbed” or certified by a professional service like PCGS or NGC. A certified grade ensures that buyers know exactly what they are getting, which allows you to realize the full market value.
Be wary of “We Buy Gold” kiosks at the mall. These businesses usually pay based on the weight of the silver (melt value). While an 1878 silver dollar contains about 0.77 ounces of pure silver, its collector value is almost always much higher than its silver weight. Never sell a Morgan Dollar for just its weight in silver until you have verified its rarity.
FAQ
Q: How many tail feathers should an 1878 Morgan Dollar have?
A: It depends on the variety! The 1878 Morgan Dollar can have 8 tail feathers, 7 tail feathers, or a “7 over 8” variety where tips of the old 8-feather design peek out from behind the new 7-feather stamp.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Q: Is my 1878 7TF Silver Dollar made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Morgan Dollars minted between 1878 and 1904 (and again in 1921) are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains roughly 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.
Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1878 7TF Morgan?
A: The mint mark is located on the reverse side (the side with the eagle). Look at the bottom of the coin, just above the letters “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” You will see an ‘S’, ‘CC’, or no letter at all (Philadelphia).
Q: Is it worth grading a worn 1878 7TF?
A: Generally, no. Professional grading costs between $30 and $60 per coin. If your coin is worth $40-$50 in worn condition, you would end up losing money. Only grade coins that are in exceptionally shiny, uncirculated condition or are rare mint marks like the “CC”.