The 1878 7/8TF Strong Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in heavily worn condition to well over $1,500 or more in pristine mint state, making it one of the more exciting varieties from the first year of Morgan Dollar production. If you found one of these silver coins in an old collection or tucked away in a drawer, you may be sitting on a surprisingly valuable piece of American history.
free coin identification app tools have made it easier than ever for everyday collectors to identify exactly which variety they’re holding — and with the 1878 Morgan Dollar, knowing your variety is everything.
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What Makes the 1878 7/8TF Strong Morgan Dollar Special
The year 1878 was the very first year the Morgan Dollar was minted. During production, the U.S. Mint made several changes to the coin’s reverse design — specifically to the tail feathers on the eagle. The original design featured eight tail feathers, but the Mint quickly switched to seven. During that transition, some dies were overdated or altered, creating varieties where the original eight feathers still show beneath the new seven-feather design.
The 7/8TF Strong variety means you can clearly and strongly see the remnants of that eighth tail feather peeking through. This “strong” designation is key — it distinguishes these coins from the weaker version of the same variety, and collectors are willing to pay a meaningful premium for the bold, clearly visible overdate effect. These transitional coins tell a story of a Mint in flux, and that historical significance drives real collector demand.
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1878 7/8TF Strong Morgan Dollar Value by Grade
Coin condition (or “grade”) is the single biggest factor in determining what your coin is worth. Here’s a general value breakdown:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, outline visible | $35 – $50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Moderate wear, details clear | $55 – $90 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $100 – $175 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight wear, good luster | $200 – $350 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear, minor marks | $500 – $900 |
| Mint State (MS-65) | Gem quality, strong luster | $1,200 – $1,800+ |
For the most current auction results and certified population data, you can check out the 1878 7/8TF Morgan Dollar price data on CoinHix, which tracks real-time market trends.
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How to Identify the 7/8TF Strong Variety
Not every 1878 Morgan Dollar is a 7/8TF Strong. To confirm your variety, flip the coin to the reverse and examine the eagle’s tail feathers closely — ideally with a 5x to 10x loupe. On the Strong variety, you’ll see clear, bold evidence of an eighth feather tucked beneath the seven. The lines are distinct, not faint or blurry.
Compare what you see against reference images in a good variety guide or use CoinHix to look up certified examples. Lighting matters enormously — hold the coin under a single light source at an angle to make the die details pop. If the eighth feather is only barely visible or requires squinting, you may have the “Weak” version, which carries slightly less of a premium. Getting this identification right could be the difference of hundreds of dollars in value.
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Should You Get It Graded?
If your 1878 7/8TF Strong Morgan Dollar appears to be in Very Fine condition or better — meaning the design is crisp and the coin still has some original luster — professional grading through PCGS or NGC is absolutely worth considering. Certification confirms the variety designation and the grade, which dramatically increases buyer confidence and resale value.
Slabbed (certified) coins consistently sell for more than raw (ungraded) coins of the same quality. For a complete look at how 1878 silver dollar values compare across all conditions, the 1878 silver dollar value guide at CoinValueApp is a great reference to bookmark. Grading fees typically run $30–$50 per coin, and for a gem-quality specimen potentially worth $1,000+, that’s an easy investment to justify.
You can also use CoinHix on your phone to quickly cross-reference recent sale prices before deciding whether grading makes financial sense for your specific coin.
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FAQ
Q: How do I know if my 1878 Morgan Dollar is the 7/8TF Strong variety?
A: Look at the reverse under magnification. The Strong variety shows clearly visible remnants of an eighth tail feather below the official seven feathers. The details should be bold and obvious, not faint. Compare your coin to certified examples on reference sites or the CoinHix app.
Q: Is the 1878 7/8TF Strong Morgan Dollar rare?
A: It’s not considered extremely rare, but it is a desirable and collectible variety. Its value comes from the historical significance of the design transition and the visual drama of the overdate effect. High-grade examples in MS-64 or above are genuinely scarce and command strong premiums.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1878 Morgan Dollar, and does it affect value?
A: The mint mark appears on the reverse below the eagle’s tail feathers. The 1878 Morgan was struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark), Carson City (CC), and San Francisco (S). The Carson City issue tends to carry a slight premium due to its western frontier appeal, but the 7/8TF Strong variety exists primarily in Philadelphia-minted coins.
