Got a 1978-dollar coin that seems to be silver? Curious if it is rare or worth
cash? You are in the right place!
Most 1978 dollar coins were made with copper-nickel, but a few special ones
were made of silver. These 1978 dollar coins were minted at three US Mint
facilities viz, Philadlphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Its composition,
condition, mintmark, and the errors are primary determinants of the
silver dollar value.
Rarity, condition, and demand are what collectors use to value these coins.
Some are only worth a buck, but others are worth a lot more! In this blog, we
will take a look at the background, most notable characteristics, and the 1978
silver dollar value.
Let's dive in and figure out what your coin is worth!
Key Takeaways
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The 1978 Eisenhower dollar is composed of a copper-nickel-clad structure,
not real silver.
-
The Eisenhower Silver Dollars were struck in Philadelphia, Denver (D), and
San Francisco (S).
-
Most circulated 1978 dollars are worth face value, but high-grade mint
state or error coins can fetch hundreds to thousands of dollars.
-
Proof versions from San Francisco with deep cameo contrast are more
valuable to collectors.
-
Rare errors, like breakage strikes or defective planchets, significantly
increase a coin’s worth.
1978 Silver Dollar: An Inside Look at Its Design
Obverse
The 1978 Silver Dollar contains a left-profile portrait of Dwight D.
Eisenhower, sculpted by Frank Gasparro. “LIBERTY” is written above his
head, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” is written near his chin. The year 1978 is
written at the bottom.
Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) coins have a mintmark over the terminal
two digits of the date, and Philadelphia coins have no mintmark. Positions
of mintmark can vary slightly since they were punched by hand.
Reverse
The reverse honors the historic moon landing of Apollo 11. A bald eagle
swoops down on the moon, holding an olive branch. The Earth rises above,
with thirteen stars for the original colonies.
The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are at the top,
and "ONE DOLLAR" is at the bottom.
1978 Silver Dollar Value Guide
1978 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar
Have a 1978 dollar with no mintmark? That means it was struck in
Philadelphia. More than 25 million were produced, so most of them are only
worth face value unless they are in excellent condition.
The Grading of the coin makes the difference! A worn XF45 1978 Silver
dollar is worth around $1. When considering the mint state (MS) condition
versions, the higher gradually increases from $1 to $7,500.
The
MS60 coin is worth
around $5, while an MS65 (gem) coin is worth around $26. The value
increases drastically for MS66+ coins, which are worth $800, and an MS67
(finest graded) coin is worth an astronomical $7,500.
1978 D Silver Dollar
Denver minted more than 33 million of 1978 D Silver Dollars, with the
small "D" above the date. Similar to the Philadelphia variants, these
dollars were worth around the face value and higher graded coins fetched a
relatively higher price.
An MS65-rated coin costs approximately $32; an MS66-rated coin costs about
$215. There are nine MS67 coins, making them extremely rare and costing a
whopping $7,750.
1978 S Proof Silver Dollar
Proof coins were a specialty since they are minted to favor the collectors
and weren’t meant for circulation. San Francisco Mint made more than 3
million, so locating them is not challenging.
The Regular proof versions' value is hardly higher than the face value.
However, the mint state proof versions fetch a high price. A PR65 DCAM
coin would cost around $14, whereas a PR70 DCAM coin would be up to $3,700
Think you got a precious rarity gem? See its grade—it may be worth a
fortune!
Rarity 1978 Silver Dollar Errors
1978 (P) No Mint Mark Dollar—Struck on a Defective Planchet
A one-of-a-kind error was observed in the Philadelphia Mint in 1978—a coin
struck on a faulty planchet. Since the bonding was incorrect, most
dollars’ obverse was copper-colored, and Eisenhower's face was not
detailed.
On average, an MS63 coin would be worth around $24, but this error was
auctioned for $700!
1978 (P) No Mint Mark Dollar—10% Brockage Error
A brockage occurs when a struck coin sticks to the die and leaves a
reverse image on the next coin. There was a single 1978 Philadelphia
dollar that contained 10% brockage, or a piece of a second coin impressed
into it.
This unusual MS64 error brought $745 at auction.
Final Thoughts
The 1978 Silver Dollar appears unremarkable, with gems existing in the error
coins. A few, such as flawed planchet strikes or brockage errors, have
commanded astonishing prices at auction.
If you have one, look again—you may well have a treasure among your coins.
The world of numismatics is full of surprises, and each find is a thrilling
adventure.
Who knows? Your treasure could be priceless!
Discover one-of-a-kind treasures such as the
Morgan Dollar
and
Peace Dollar, including graded Morgan Silver Dollars,
and high-grade coins at BOLD Precious Metals and elevate your collection
with enduring value.
Invest in history today!
FAQ
Is the 1978 Eisenhower dollar made of actual silver?
No, the 1978 Eisenhower dollar is not silver. It is copper-nickel clad.
Special 40% silver Eisenhower dollars were only produced from 1971 through
1976 for collectors. For modern silver bullion coins, collectors often turn to other options.
Is a 1978 Eisenhower dollar valuable?
Most 1978 Eisenhower dollars are normal and face value in circulated
condition. But uncirculated and high-grade mint state coins are numismatic and
worth hundreds or thousands of dollars at auction, such as coins with rare
errors or MS67+ grade.
