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The 1878 8TF dollar is a relatively scarce first issue of the long-running Morgan series, considered by many as the most popular of all United States coins. Hard to find in all grades, the 1878 8TF is particularly challenging in the Gem MS range and up, with PLs and DMPLs even harder though obtainable for a cost. The reasons behind the relative short issuance of the eight tail feather variety has decidedly ornithological origins: American bald eagles have only seven tail feathers as correctly seen on all Morgan dollars minted after 1878.
Obverse Description
Portrait of Liberty centered. On the left are found 7 stars with the words E*PLURIBUS*UNUM followed by 6 stars on the right. The date is positioned at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The heraldic eagle is centered holding a bunch of arrows and branch surrounded by and olive leaves. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * ONE DOLLAR frame the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears above the letters DO of DOLLAR.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: The 1878, 8 Tail Feathers, dollar begins the series. This is the only year and mint of the style with 8 Tail Feathers and thus is highly important, although not rare. Although many were distributed in and soon after 1878, enough remained in Treasury holdings that today there is an ample supply of Mint State coins from which to choose. Most pieces are well struck and have excellent luster. All have the eagle with flat or shallow breast, per the early die standard, although the feathers on the eagle’s breast can be well defined. Proofs are rare and are in special demand to illustrate this one-year reverse style.
Surface Quality: Typically quite well struck. The eagle’s breast is shallow, not well rounded, this being characteristic of all reverses used in 1878. Usually with excellent luster, the frost being deep.
Prooflike Coins: Often one side is lustrous and the other is prooflike.
Mintage and Distribution: The 1878, 8 Tail Feathers, dollar, struck only for a limited time (March 12, 1878, and some weeks thereafter), is of unknown mintage, but about 750,000 is probably a good guess. Many were released into circulation in and closely after 1878. At the outset the Treasury thought the new dollars would be popular. By the late 1940’s, they were considered to be scarce on the coin market, but in 1953 many bags were released from Treasury storage, filling demand. Through the 1950’s and early 1960’s many more bags were released, including many to Las Vegas casinos.
PROOF STRIKES:
Mintage: 500 is a popular estimate, although there is no offcial figure.
Key to Collecting: Minimal cameo contrast is the rule.3 The demand for Proofs is especially strong, not as much from Proof specialists as from those who seek an example for a type set. Per usual for Proofs, low-grade examples usually lack eye appeal.
VARIETIES:
Many varieties of 1878, 8 Tail Feathers, dollars but only five of these (VAM-5, 9, 11, 15, and 17) have been singled out for mention in The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties.
Catalog Information
GSID:
7444
Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, LIBERTY, 1878
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE DOLLAR
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
26.73 gr
Weight (oz):
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
38.1
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Coin Date:
1878 8TF
Denomination:
$1
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
749,500
Coinage Type:
Morgan silver dollar
Coinage Years:
1878-1921
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
7072
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Coin Value History
1878 8TF $1 MS
Value By Grade
1878 8TF $1 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$122,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $102,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/194xxx/a15b3867-56c4-4feb-9ccd-68ae7da30226.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $41 – $80,000
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS PL [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS PL [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/90o-pl-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $50 – $7,800
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS DMPL [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS DMPL [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/84cc-dmpl-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $75 – $42,000
Morgan $1 Carson City Mint MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Carson City Mint MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/416xxx/e90065e0-537f-4db8-b2b8-efacd6817cff.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $70 – $50,000
Morgan $1 Carson City Mint, GSA Hoard Hard package MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Carson City Mint, GSA Hoard Hard package MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1314_4280-3.20200626010427369.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $270 – $5,400
1878 8TF $1 MS PL
Worth: $200 – $4,400
1878 8TF $1 MS DMPL
Worth: $575 – $27,000
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS
Worth: $41 – $3,200
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS PL
Worth: $72 – $6,600
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS DMPL
Worth: $240 – $42,000
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS
Worth: $45 – $26,400
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS PL
Worth: $200 – $9,900
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS DMPL
Worth: $425 – $30,000
1878 7/8TF $1 Weak MS
Worth: $41 – $3,200
1878 7/8TF $1 Weak MS PL
Worth: $165 – $4,200
1878 8TF $1 Paramount MS63 NGC. Ex: Redfield Collection. CDN: $425 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 699,300....
$476
1878 8TF $1 Spiked Eye, VAM-3, MS62 PCGS. CDN: $260 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 699,300....
$976
1878 8TF $1 Denticle Chip, VAM-4, MS65 NGC. CDN: $1,930 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 699,300. ...
$1,708
1878 8TF $1 Diagonal In 8, VAM-17, MS66+ NGC. ...
$6,710
1878 8TF $1 Cracked Bonnet, VAM-14.10, XF45 NGC. NGC Census: 3 in 45, 27 finer (12/25). CDN: $90.90 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
$104
1878 8TF $1 Diagonal In 8, VAM-17, MS64 PCGS. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 699,300. ...
$810
1878 8TF $1 Chip in Ear, VAM-14, AU58 PCGS. CDN: $180 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 699,300....
$198
1878 8TF $1 Spear Point, VAM-1, MS61 PCGS. CDN: $253 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS61. Mintage 699,300....
$252
1878 8TF $1 Open Nostril, VAM-14.5 -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. AU53 Details. A Hot 50 Variety. Mintage 699,300....
$154
1878 8TF $1 Broken R & B, VAM-21, AU50 PCGS. Mintage 699,300....
$109
1878 8TF $1 Denticle Chip, VAM-4, MS60 PCGS. Mintage 699,300....
$186
1878 8TF $1 Notched 7, VAM-10, XF40 ANACS. Mintage 699,300....
$84
1878 8TF $1 Doubled Eyelid, VAM-14.13, Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: (3/43). ...
$134
1878 8TF $1 Lines in Hair, VAM-14.15, VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: (7/47). ...
$630
1878 8TF $1 First Die Pair, VAM-9, AG3 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (2/339 and 0/0+)....
$990
1878 8TF $1 First Die Pair, VAM-9, VG8 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (9/323 and 0/0+)....
$288
1878 8TF $1 First Die Pair, VAM-9, AU55 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (12/18)....
$1,740
1878 8TF $1 Open Nostril, VAM-14.5, VF20 PCGS. A Hot 50 Variety. PCGS Population: (3/97 and 0/0+)....
$149
1878 8TF $1 Broken 7, VAM-14.18, Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS notes "Broken 7," which refers to the late die state of VAM-14.18 where...
$3,360
1878 8TF $1 VAM 15 VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (28/16567). NGC Census: (17/11645). CDN: $72 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. M...
$95
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