Semi-Key

Obverse

Reverse

1878 Seated Liberty Dime

$27 – $18,900

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 200,000. Values range from $27 in lower grades to $18,900 in top condition. This is a semi-key date with strong collector demand. The coin contains 90% silver with a melt value of $2.36.

1878 | Philadelphia | Mintage: 200,000

Melt Value (90% silver)

$2.36

Based on $30.50/oz silver

as of Aug 1, 2026

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Market Activity

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $2,364 High: $18,900 Low: $27 10 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4) Major design elements visible but heavily worn	$27
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$39
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$53
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$82
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$130
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$285
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$450
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$700
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$2,975
Superb Gem+ (MS-67) Above average strike, virtually flawless	$18,900

Under $100 $100 - $1,000 Over $1,000

Coin Specifications

Year

1878

Mint

Philadelphia

Mintage

200,000

Composition

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Weight

2.67 grams

Diameter

17.9 mm

Edge

Reeded

Designer

Thomas Sully (Liberty), John Reich (reverse)

Series

Seated Liberty Dime (1837-1891)

PCGS #

4833

Proof Mintage

510

Historical Notes

1878 Seated Liberty Dime from Philadelphia.

About the Seated Liberty Dime

The Seated Liberty Dime debuted in 1837 to replace the Capped Bust design. Christian Gobrecht designed the coin based on sketches by Thomas Sully and Titian Peale. The obverse shows Lady Liberty sitting on a rock, holding a shield and a pole with a liberty cap. This design brought a more neoclassical look to American coinage. Changes occurred throughout the series run. The mint added stars to the obverse in 1838. They added rays to the background of the reverse in 1853 to mark a reduction in the coin's weight. Arrows appeared at the date in 1853 and 1873 to note further weight adjustments. The Mint ended the series in 1891 when the Barber Dime replaced it.

Collecting Seated Liberty Dime Coins

Focus on the later dates from the 1880s to build a starter set because these are the most affordable. Many Seated Liberty Dimes suffer from heavy wear or harsh cleanings that ruin their value. Look for coins with original surfaces and avoid pieces that look shiny or unnatural. Check for the 1873-CC variety, as it is a rare issue that attracts many forgers. Buy coins in grades of Fine or Very Fine to balance quality with cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 worth? +

A Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 is worth between $27 and $18,900 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1878 Seated Liberty Dime coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced 200,000 1878 Seated Liberty Dime coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 a key date? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 is considered a semi-key date. While not the rarest in the series, it has above-average collector demand and typically commands a premium over common dates.

What is the melt value of a Seated Liberty Dime - 1878? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1878 contains 90% silver and has a melt value of approximately $2.36 based on current spot prices ($30.50/oz silver). Most collectible coins are worth significantly more than their melt value due to numismatic demand.

How much is an 1878 Seated Liberty Dime worth? +

In good condition, an 1878 Seated Liberty Dime often sells for $150 to $300. Mint State examples command much higher prices, frequently exceeding $2,000 depending on the specific grade assigned by a grading service.

Is the 1878 Seated Liberty Dime rare? +

Yes, it is a semi-key date in the series due to its low mintage of 200,000. It is much harder to locate than the common date Seated Liberty Dimes minted in the 1880s.