1878 Liberty Head Eagle
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$24,150 MS65 09-19-1999 Goldberg Auctioneers
Description
The 1878 Liberty Head Eagle was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as a Gold Eagle in the Liberty Head Eagles 1838-1907 series. With a mintage of 73,780, this is a scarce issue — the highest mintage among 3 variants, accounting for 72% of the year's production. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Bland-Allison Act focused on silver, but gold eagle production continued unabated. Philadelphia's mint — the nation's first — has produced coins without interruption since its founding in 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $2.5K to $6.7K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 16.7 grams, 26.8 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #8680.
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