History of the Eisenhower Dollar
The United States Mint minted Eisenhower Dollars from 1971 through 1978. There were many special strikings in different finishes and compositions marketed primarily to coin collectors. Frank Gasparro designed this coin to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower and man’s first landing on the moon in 1969. The obverse features a portrait bust of the late president facing right. The reverse is an adaptation of the official Apollo 11’s mission insignia. A special reverse design was implemented to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial. The Treasury Secretary selected Dennis R. Williams’ design featuring a rendition of the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon. This reverse design celebrated both the recent moon landings and the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The mint began production of these dual-dated bicentennial coins of 1776-1976 in 1975 to meet the anticipated demand of collectors across the country. Therefore there are no Eisenhower dollars dated 1975. According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) Price Guide, an Eisenhower Dollar from 1972 in circulated condition is worth between $1.05 and $1.50, as of October 2022. However, on the open market, 1972 D Silver Dollars in perfect, uncirculated condition sell for up to $2,000. Although they do not circulate anymore, occasionally, people will bring their rolls into their local bank to exchange for paper money. Therefore, uncirculated coins sell for a premium over the circulated coins. Therefore, identifying key dates, rarities, and varieties for Ike dollars is an essential skill for serious coin collectors.
Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties
The following Eisenhower dollars command a small premium above the more common Eisenhower dollars. 1972 Type 2 Reverse UncirculatedThe Philadelphia mint created three different Eisenhower dollar reverses. They are known as types one, two, and three. The second type is the hardest to acquire. The easiest way to recognize this coin is to look at the small image of the earth on the reverse of the coin. If the three islands below Florida are nonexistent, then this is the rare Type II variety. 1976 Bicentennial Type 1 and 2 ReverseThis coin is not rare nor is it a key date, but there are two different varieties. Notice the difference in the thickness of the lettering in the United States of America. The reverse that has the thicker letters around the circumference of the coin, is the Type I coin. These coins were minted in 1975 in order to produce more coins for the Bicentennial. The coins produced in 1976, Type II, had a narrow thinner letter which made it easier to produce.
Condition or Grade
If your coin is worn and exhibits evidence of circulation in commerce, it is considered a circulated coin. However, if your coin has no evidence of wear and its surfaces are pristine, it is considered an uncirculated coin.
Mint Marks
The United States Mint produced Eisenhower (Ike) Dollars at three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). The mint mark is located on the obverse of the coin, just below the truncation of President Eisenhower’s portrait and just above the date.
Eisenhower Dollars Average Prices and Values
The following table lists the buy price (what you can expect to pay to a dealer to purchase the coin) and the sell value (what you can expect a dealer to pay you if you sell the coin). These are approximate retail prices and wholesale values. The actual offer you receive from a particular coin dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and some other factors that determine its worth.
