1978 Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar holds a unique place in American numismatic history as the final year of production for the iconic “Ike” series.

While millions were minted for circulation at Philadelphia and Denver facilities, these copper-nickel clad coins are surprisingly challenging to find in pristine condition. Most circulated examples remain at face value of $1.00, while uncirculated Mint State specimens average $16 to $17. San Francisco proof coins with Deep Cameo contrast typically trade around $13.

This guide examines the historical significance, value differences between mint marks, and what makes certain 1978 dollars worth considerably more than their common counterparts.

 

1978 Dollar Value By Variety

Also Read: Eisenhower Dollar Value (1971-1978)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1978 Dollar Worth Money

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar’s value spectrum clearly shows how condition determines worth. The 1978-D MS67 leads at $8,750, representing one of fewer than ten examples certified at this grade by major grading services. The Philadelphia-minted MS67 follows at $6,000, while proof versions from San Francisco show strong demand, with a PR68 specimen valued at $3,450.

Values increase steadily in the MS62-MS65 range, with prices from $2,185 to $3,004—these mid-grade gems remain accessible for collectors. MS66 examples, valued around $900, show considerable appreciation over face value. The specialized 1978-S David Hall Signature PR70, priced at $750, demonstrates the market’s recognition of authenticated coins with expert certification.

This pricing structure reflects a fundamental characteristic of the Eisenhower series: while millions were minted, their large size and weight made them susceptible to handling damage during distribution, making pristine survivors genuinely scarce in today’s market.

 

History of The 1978 Dollar

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar represents the final chapter of the first dollar coin series minted since the Peace Dollar ended in 1935. Following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s death in March 1969, Congress authorized a new dollar coin to honor the former president and five-star general who led Allied forces during World War II and served two presidential terms from 1953 to 1961.

Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro designed both sides of the coin. The obverse features Eisenhower’s left-facing profile, based on Gasparro’s sketch from a 1945 victory parade. The reverse depicts an eagle landing on the moon with an olive branch, commemorating the Apollo 11 mission—a design that returned in 1977 after the 1975-1976 Bicentennial celebration.

Despite its silver appearance, the 1978 dollar contains no precious metal. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from circulating coins due to rising metal prices. The 1978 issue consists of a pure copper core clad in copper-nickel alloy, giving it a silvery color from the nickel content. From 1971-1976, the San Francisco Mint produced special 40% silver versions for collectors, but by 1978, all production used base metal composition.

The coin’s large size (38.5mm diameter) and weight made it unpopular for everyday transactions. Production ceased after 1978, with the smaller Susan B. Anthony dollar replacing it in 1979, ending the era of traditional large-format dollar coins.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Is You 1978 Dollar Rare?

Most 1978 Eisenhower Dollars are common, but high-grade specimens are scarce. Use the CoinValueChecker App to instantly assess your coin’s rarity and potential value.

 

Key Features of The 1978 Dollar

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar displays distinctive design elements that define this final-year issue of the series.

The Obverse Of 1978 Dollar

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro. Eisenhower’s head and neck appear in profile with a stern expression.

The word “LIBERTY” curves along the upper edge, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in smaller letters to the left of the portrait. The date “1978” is positioned below Eisenhower’s neck. The mint mark, when present, appears above the date—”D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco proofs. Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark.

The Reverse Of 1978 Dollar

The reverse showcases an eagle descending onto the lunar surface, clutching an olive branch in its talons, symbolizing the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Earth appears in the distance above the eagle. Thirteen stars representing the original colonies ring the design. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top edge, with “ONE DOLLAR” mirroring it at the bottom. The Latin motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (From Many, One) is inscribed on two horizontal lines above the eagle.

Other Features Of 1978 Dollar

The coin measures 38.5 millimeters in diameter and weighs 22.68 grams. It consists of a pure copper core clad in 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy, creating the silver-colored appearance. The edge features 198 reeds. The coin’s substantial size matches traditional silver dollars, though it’s slightly lighter due to its base metal composition.

 

1978 Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar production data reveals significant variations across the three minting facilities. The Denver Mint led production with 33,012,890 coins, followed by Philadelphia with 25,702,000 business strikes, and San Francisco with 3,127,781 proof specimens exclusively for collectors.

Survival rates differ substantially by mint. Both Philadelphia and Denver business strikes show exceptional preservation, with 99.80% and 99.66% survival rates respectively, indicating that nearly all coins remain intact either in circulation or private holdings. This high survival rate reflects the coin’s limited use in everyday commerce—most were saved rather than worn through handling.

In contrast, San Francisco proofs display an 81% survival rate, notably lower than business strikes. This reduction stems from several factors: proof coins were sold in special packaging that sometimes degraded over time, and earlier proof sets were occasionally broken up for individual coin sales or damaged through improper storage.

The survival distribution chart illustrates that Denver coins comprise approximately 55% of surviving specimens, Philadelphia accounts for 44%, and San Francisco proofs represent just 1% of the total population. These figures demonstrate that while over 61 million 1978 dollars were produced, proof versions remain proportionally scarcer in today’s market.

Also Read: Top 40+ Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins Worth Money

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1978 Dollar Value

Determining your 1978 Eisenhower Dollar’s value depends primarily on its condition and grade, as even a single grade point difference can mean thousands of dollars.

Skip the expensive professional grading fees and get instant results with the CoinValueChecker App, which provides accurate value estimates, grade assessments, and error detection right from your phone, helping you understand your coin’s worth in seconds.

 

1978 Dollar Value Guides

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar was produced at three U.S. Mint facilities, each creating distinct varieties with different mintages and value profiles:

• 1978 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1978-D (Denver)
• 1978-S (San Francisco Proof)

Understanding the differences between these three varieties is essential for accurate valuation.

Philadelphia struck over 25.7 million business-strike coins without mint marks, while Denver produced the highest quantity at 33 million pieces marked with a “D.” San Francisco exclusively minted proof specimens for collectors, producing just 3.1 million coins marked with an “S.”

Each variety displays unique characteristics in terms of availability, survival rates, and market values across different grade levels. 

 

1978 No Mint Mark Dollar Value

The 1978 Philadelphia Eisenhower Dollar struck without a mint mark, these coins can be identified by the absence of any letter above the date on the obverse. Philadelphia produced 25,702,000 pieces, making them the second-highest mintage among the three 1978 varieties.

Despite this substantial production, high-grade examples remain difficult to locate due to the coin’s large size and susceptibility to contact marks during bag shipment from the mint. Most circulated specimens trade near face value, but uncirculated examples in MS65 or higher grades carry significant premiums.

The Philadelphia coins typically show average strike quality, with some specimens displaying weak details on Eisenhower’s hair and the eagle’s feathers—a characteristic that affects their appeal to quality-focused collectors.

Historical auction records reveal the price progression of high-tier Philadelphia specimens over the past two decades.

Current market activity data provides insight into collector demand and trading frequency for this variety across different grade levels.

 

1978-D Dollar Value

The 1978-D Eisenhower Dollar holds the distinction of having the highest mintage among all three 1978 varieties, with Denver producing 33,012,890 pieces. The “D” mint mark appears above the date on the obverse, positioned just below Eisenhower’s neckline.

Despite this large production volume, Denver coins are notably scarce in gem grades, with fewer than ten examples certified at MS67—making them among the most elusive final-year Eisenhower dollars.

Denver specimens generally exhibit slightly better strike quality than their Philadelphia counterparts, with more consistent detail in Eisenhower’s hair and the eagle’s talons. Most circulated examples remain at face value, but the dramatic price increases at MS66 and higher demonstrate the significant condition rarity. Collectors particularly value Denver dollars for their superior eye appeal and stronger overall strikes.

The auction record chart below tracks realized prices for certified Denver specimens across various grade levels.

Market activity metrics reveal trading patterns and collector interest for this high-mintage yet conditionally scarce variety.

 

1978-S DCAM Dollar Value

The 1978-S Proof DCAM Eisenhower Dollar was exclusively produced at the San Francisco Mint for collectors, with an “S” mint mark above the date. These specially-struck coins were sold in protective packaging as part of official proof sets, featuring mirror-like fields and frosted design elements.

The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation identifies specimens with pronounced contrast between the reflective backgrounds and raised frost-covered portraits—the most desirable finish among proof coins. San Francisco produced 3,127,781 proofs in 1978, all using copper-nickel clad composition rather than silver.

Unlike business strikes that become exponentially expensive in top grades, proof coins remain relatively accessible even at PR68 and PR69 levels. However, perfect PR70 DCAM examples command substantial premiums due to their flawless surfaces and optimal cameo contrast. These coins were never intended for circulation and typically show minimal handling marks.

The auction record chart illustrates price trends for certified proof specimens across different grade designations.

Market activity data demonstrates collector preferences and transaction frequency for these specially-produced commemorative pieces.

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1978 Dollar Error List

While millions of 1978 Eisenhower Dollars were produced for circulation, minting errors occurred during the production process that created unique specimens commanding substantial premiums. These errors range from planchet defects to striking anomalies.

Error coins are highly valued by collectors due to their scarcity and the unusual circumstances of their creation. Each type of error presents distinct visual characteristics and carries different market values based on the severity of the mistake and the coin’s overall condition.

1. 1978 Dollar Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is not properly aligned with the dies during striking, resulting in a coin where part of the design is missing and blank planchet shows on one edge. The value depends on how far off-center the strike is—greater percentages are more valuable.

A 1978 Eisenhower Dollar struck 10% off-center and graded MS67 sold for $2,000 in 2017, representing an exceptional combination of high grade and error.

Most off-center 1978 dollars typically range from $300 to $800, with the most desirable examples showing approximately 50% off-center strikes while still displaying a complete, readable date. These errors are difficult to locate since quality control typically catches such obvious defects.

2. 1978 Dollar Defective Planchet

This error occurs when the copper-nickel cladding fails to properly bond to the copper core during the planchet preparation process. The result is a coin with visible copper coloring on the obverse, giving it an unusual reddish-brown appearance rather than the expected silver tone.

Detail loss is common, particularly on Eisenhower’s portrait where features appear weak or incomplete.

A documented 1978 Philadelphia example graded MS63 by PCGS sold at auction for over $700—nearly 30 times the value of a normal MS63 specimen. The dramatic visual difference and clear manufacturing defect make these coins readily identifiable and highly desirable to error collectors.

 

1978 Dollar Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

Where To Sell Your 1978 Dollar?

Once you’ve determined your coin’s value and condition, selecting the right selling platform becomes crucial to maximizing your return, with options ranging from online marketplaces and auction houses to local coin dealers and direct collector sales.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQ About 1978 Dollar

1. Is a 1978 silver dollar real silver?

No. The silver color in a 1978 dollar comes from the cladding. That’s a mixture of copper and nickel, and it’s the nickel that gives it the silver tone. The core of the coin is made from pure copper.

From 1971 until 1976, some Eisenhower dollars were made with real silver. The easiest way to tell whether a coin from this period is silver or clad is to weigh it. Silver coins are heavier than clad ones, weighing 24.6 grams compared to 22.7 grams.

If you don’t have accurate enough weighing scales for the job, a visual inspection may be all you need.

Look closely at the edge of the coin. If it’s clad, you may be able to see signs of the copper core where the cladding has worn away. If the coin is uncirculated, however, the copper may not be visible.

2. How rare is a 1978 dollar coin?

Tens of millions of dollar coins were minted in 1978, so a standard coin isn’t rare. But if you have a coin in top condition, or one with an interesting error, it will be much rarer. And that means collectors will be prepared to pay more to own it.

The best-in-class examples of Philadephia and Denver 1978 dollars are worth thousands of dollars. And a perfect San Francisco deep cameo proof is worth around $500.