As of May, 2024, a 1878-S Half Dollar in circulated condition is worth between $25,000.00 and $135,000.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $140,000.00 and $400,000.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $199,750.00 in the 06/23/2014 by renowned auctioneer Heritage Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht
Edge: Reeded
Diameter: 30.00 millimeters
Weight: 12.50 grams
Mintage: 12,000
Mint: San Francisco
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-66400,000.00
MS-65+325,000.00
MS-65300,000.00
MS-64+275,000.00
MS-64250,000.00
MS-63+185,000.00
MS-63165,000.00
MS-62+155,000.00
MS-62150,000.00
MS-61145,000.00
MS-60140,000.00
AU-58+135,000.00
AU-58130,000.00
AU-55+125,000.00
AU-55120,000.00
AU-53+115,000.00
AU-53110,000.00
AU-50+105,000.00
AU-50100,000.00
XF-45+97,500.00
XF-4595,000.00
XF-4090,000.00
VF-3585,000.00
VF-3080,000.00
VF-2575,000.00
VF-2070,000.00
F-1565,000.00
F-1260,000.00
VG-1057,500.00
VG-855,000.00
G-645,000.00
G-440,000.00
AG-332,500.00
FR-225,000.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State140,000.00400,000.00226,363.64
About Uncirculated100,000.00135,000.00117,500.00
Extremely Fine90,000.0097,500.0094,166.67
Fine and Very Fine60,000.0085,000.0072,500.00
Good and Very Good40,000.0057,500.0049,375.00
Poor, Fair, and About Good25,000.0032,500.0028,750.00

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1878 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1878 Half Dollar (Regular Strike)55.00675.00700.0045,000.00
1878-CC Half Dollar (Regular Strike)750.0016,000.0017,500.0065,000.00
1878 Half Dollar (Proof)650.00850.00900.0040,000.00
1878 Half Dollar, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A1,100.0050,000.00
1878 Half Dollar, DCAM (Proof)N/AN/A4,000.0010,000.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$63,000.00

Lowest Sale Price
$184,000.00

Highest Sale Price
$116,272.22

Average Sale Price
$117,000.00

Most Recent Sale Price
9

Number of Sales
$1,046,450.00

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-65+96,600.0096,600.0096,600.00
MS-6430,800.00199,750.00115,390.00
MS-6363,000.00184,000.00116,272.22
MS-6241,800.0093,000.0061,800.00
MS-6139,600.00108,000.0085,900.00
MS-6024,200.00161,000.0089,525.00
AU-5350,400.0050,400.0050,400.00
AU-50121.0058,750.0031,461.83
XF-4511,550.0011,550.0011,550.00
XF-4034,500.0086,250.0064,625.00
VF-3025,300.0049,937.5037,537.50
VF-2024,000.0024,000.0024,000.00
F-1542,000.0051,750.0046,916.67
F-127,810.007,810.007,810.00
VG-1013,200.0044,400.0029,100.00
VG-86,325.0040,250.0029,242.86
G-612,650.0012,650.0012,650.00
G-411,500.0021,600.0016,550.00
AG-319,975.0028,750.0022,981.25
PO-139,950.0039,950.0039,950.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-65+. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-64 having the highest max price $199,750.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 48.44% share, followed by Bowers & Merena / Stack's Bowers with 17.19% / 12.50% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1878-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-61PCGSHeritage Auctions102,000.0010/23/2023
VG-10NGCHeritage Auctions39,600.0007/23/2023
VG-10PCGSHeritage Auctions44,400.0010/09/2022
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions93,000.0005/16/2022
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions117,000.0010/10/2021
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers138,000.0008/25/2021
MS-61PCGSStack's Bowers108,000.0008/25/2021
AG-3PCGSHeritage Auctions21,600.0002/25/2021
VG-10PCGSStack's Bowers19,200.0003/25/2020
G-4PCGSHeritage Auctions21,600.0002/23/2020
AU-53PCGSStack's Bowers50,400.0011/20/2019
AG-3PCGSHeritage Auctions21,600.0009/08/2019
VF-20NGCHeritage Auctions24,000.0009/08/2019
F-15PCGSStack's Bowers42,000.0010/30/2018
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions63,000.0001/03/2018
PO-1NGCHeritage Auctions39,950.0007/07/2016
AG-3PCGSHeritage Auctions19,975.0003/03/2016
AU-50NCSHeritage Auctions58,750.0008/05/2014
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions199,750.0006/23/2014
VF-30PCGSHeritage Auctions49,937.5004/23/2014
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions129,250.0003/20/2014
MS-61PCGSHeritage Auctions94,000.0001/08/2014
F-15PCGSHeritage Auctions47,000.0009/25/2013
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers164,500.0007/27/2013
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions86,250.0002/02/2012
AG-3PCGSHeritage Auctions28,750.0010/13/2011
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers184,000.0008/18/2011
F-15PCGSStack's Bowers51,750.0008/18/2011
VG-8NGCHeritage Auctions32,200.0001/05/2011
VG-8NGCHeritage Auctions31,050.0008/11/2010
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions184,000.0004/01/2009
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions74,750.0004/01/2008
VG-8PCGSHeritage Auctions40,250.0001/01/2008
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions37,375.0003/01/2007
MS-60NONEStack's83,375.0010/01/2006
VG-8NGCAmerican Numismatic Rarities34,500.0008/11/2006
VG-8PCGSHeritage Auctions37,375.0004/26/2006
AU-50NCSHeritage Auctions58,075.0001/24/2006
MS-65+NGCBowers & Merena96,600.0007/25/2005
MS-63NGCDavid Lawrence RC87,400.0003/06/2005
MS-63PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities82,800.0001/10/2005
AU-50NCSAmerican Numismatic Rarities39,100.0011/30/2004
VG-8NGCHeritage Auctions23,000.0008/18/2004
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions34,500.0008/18/2004
MS-63PCGSBowers & Merena80,500.0007/01/2004
MS-64PCGSBowers & Merena92,000.0003/11/2004
G-4PCGSStack's11,500.0012/04/2002
MS-60NONEStack's161,000.0010/01/2002
MS-62PCGSR.M. Smythe41,800.0007/29/2002
G-6NGCBowers & Merena12,650.0005/21/2001
MS-62PCGSR.M. Smythe50,600.0005/01/2001
VF-30NONEGoldberg Auctioneers25,300.0002/06/2000
MS-63PCGSBowers & Merena63,000.0001/05/1999
VG-10NONEDavid Akers13,200.0005/01/1998
MS-61NONEBowers & Merena39,600.0004/01/1997
XF-45NONEBowers & Merena11,550.0008/01/1996
MS-60NONEBowers & Merena24,200.0008/01/1996
MS-64PCGSBowers & Merena70,400.0001/25/1996
AU-50NONEHeritage Auctions10,725.0010/05/1995
F-12PCGSSuperior Galleries7,810.0001/30/1995
VG-8NONEBowers & Merena6,325.0001/04/1995
MS-64NONEDavid Akers30,800.0008/11/1990
AU-50NONEBowers & Merena22,000.0011/01/1988
AU-50NONEB. Max Mehl121.0006/01/1941