1878-S $2.50 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $2 1/2 1840-1907

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS65

PCGS MS64+

PCGS #:: 7829

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 18.00 millimeters

Weight:: 4.18 grams

Mintage:: 178,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $14,400 • MS65 • 10-18-2020 • Heritage Auctions

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1878-S $2.50

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	3,500	R-4.3	135 / 147	135 / 147
60 or Better	200	R-7.0	114 / 147 TIE	114 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	2	R-9.9	17 / 147 TIE	17 / 147 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	3,500
60 or Better	200
65 or Better	2

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.3
60 or Better	R-7.0
65 or Better	R-9.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	135 / 147
60 or Better	114 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	17 / 147 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	135 / 147
60 or Better	114 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	17 / 147 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
1	MS65 estimated grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 estimated grade

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth: Most (perhaps all) examples of this date utilize a New Reverse ("Hub of 1859-1907"). In fact, 1876-S or 1877-S may be the last apeparance of the Old Reverse style, so please report any Old Reverse examples.

David Akers (1975/88): The 1878-S has by far the highest mintage of any S Mint quarter eagle, and it is certainly the most common as well. However, it is less often seen in choice uncircualted condition than the 1877-S. The 1878-S uses the reverse that was first used at the Philadelphia Mint in 1859. This reverse is distinguished from that used on the early San Francisco Mint quarter eagles (prior to 1877) by the smaller letters and modified claws, arrows, olive branch and wings. The mintmark is very small, as it is on the 1877-S, and since mintmarks were punched in by hand, there are a number of different known mintmark positions.