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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     We consent to the inclusion and incorporation by reference in this
registration statement of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. on Form S-3 of
our reports dated February 6, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedules of Philadelphia Consolidated
Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. We also consent to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Experts".
    
 
                                          /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
   
April 15, 1998