The influence of the in-pod drying of beans, cv. ?Costa Rica?, on seed quality was studied as related to harvest at two stages according to physiological maturity. After harvest pods of the 1rst and 2nd dates (seeds with moisture content 53 and 45% respectively), were submitted to natural and artificial drying (heated air at 40, 50 e 60oC). Seeds were hand shelled. On the 3rd date,the control treatment (traditional date), the pods were hand shelled immediately after harvesting. Germination and vigor of the seeds with good external appearance were evaluated immediately after shelling and after 12 months of storage under dry room conditions. Seed quality decreased when seeds were air-dried at temperatures of 50 e 60oC. Seeds with a high moisture level were more sensitive to high drying temperature. No effect was detected when seeds were dried at 40oC. This suggests a protective effect of the pods on the seeds. Quality of the seeds dried at 60oC decreased (latent effect) after storage.