The 1878 trade dollar is a Proof-only issue with a mintage of just 900 pieces. The entire issue was produced as an accommodation for the contemporary numismatic community. The branch mints of Carson City and San Francisco continued to strike Trade dollars for circulation, but this would be the final year of such production. All subsequent Trade dollars would be Proof-only issues. Like the previous Trade dollar Proofs, the vast majority of certified examples are only in Choice (PR-62 to 64) condition, with Gems of PR-65 and up being scarce to rare. The Cameo percentage remains relatively consistent, with between 25 and 30% of the certified coins earning that designation.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the June 2012 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $8,460.