We’ve been talking about valuable and rare coins for quite some time now, yet we still didn’t mention the last big and bold coin that was minted in the US Mint – the famous IKE or Eisenhower one-dollar coin. It is called Ike after the president’s nickname.
For some reason, this coin was never very popular, nor for circulation or as a collectible item. However, in past few years, things slowly started to change. In fact, this coin was never used in circulation, you could catch it in casinos or some similar places, so most of them are in very good condition.
This is what sparked interest among the collectors since they have seen a lot of potential in this coin, but how exactly valuable are Eisenhower coins and is it worth investing in them? Luckily, we have spent some time researching that burning question, and here is our answer – the Eisenhower dollar value guide.
Brief History Of Eisenhower Dollar
Eisenhower Dollars were minted in the honor of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the ’70s. To be more precise from 1971 until 1978. Also, this coin honored the men’s first landing on the moon which occurred in 1969.
The original design featured President’s portrait on the obverse with words like “liberty” and “in god we trust”. The reverse side was designed by the astronaut Michael Collins in honor of the Apollo 11 mission. It portrays a bald eagle hovering near the Moon’s surface, holding an olive branch, and the Earth can be seen above the eagle’s head.
During the minting period, there were many changes in design, from different strikings, and material compositions to different types of finishes. All that was because they wanted to attract coin collectors.
For example, on the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the coin sports a special reverse side design featuring a rendition of the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon.
Also, this design was implemented to celebrate the production of the dual-dated bicentennial coins from the period 1776 until 1976 on the demand of the collectors. That is the main reason why there are no Eisenhower dollars dated with the minting year 1975. So keep this information in mind when identifying your coins!
List Of Most Valuable Eisenhower Dollars
These types of coins are great collectible items for newbies that are just entering the world of numismatic. Since they already had a short run and are very much available all around us they are a great way to start a coin collection.
Below is the list of the most valuable Eisenhower coins and their highest price tags, which is great for those who are selling! However, since most dates can be found for sale on auctions or at official coin dealers, if you want to buy make sure you run a search on your own and you’ll probably find some much more affordable deals.
| Name and year (Images) | Mintage and varieties | Metal composition | Diameter and weight | Estimated value for circulated and uncirculated coins |
| 1976-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Clad Type 2 PR66 | N/A | 75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.70 grams |
$41,400 |
| 1973-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar–Indented by 1.73 gm Planchet, Mated Pair–PR67 and PR67 RB NGC | 2,760,339
Yes, there are a few different PR graded coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.70 grams |
$40,250 |
| 1976 $1 Eisenhower Type One Bicentennial Dollar — Overstruck on a 1976 Bicentennial Quarter — MS64 NGC | 4,019,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.70 grams |
$28,200 |
| 1976-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Clad, Type One PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS | 2,845,450
Yes, there are a few different PR graded coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.70 grams |
$25,300 |
| 1971-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Silver, Doubled Die Reverse, FS-801, PR68 Deep Cameo PCGS | 42,652
No |
60% copper, 40% silver | 38.5 mm
24.59 grams |
$18,000 |
| 1972 $1 Eisenhower Dollar Type Two MS66 NGC | 75,890,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$14,400 |
| 1976-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar Type 1 | 21,048,710
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper | 38.5 mm
24.59 grams |
$14,375 |
| 1974-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar — Struck on a 1974-D Dime — MS65 NGC. | 45,517,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$14,100 |
| 1974-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS68+ PCGS | 27,366,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$13,512 |
| 1971-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar–Struck on a Nickel Planchet–MS-64 (NGC). | 68,587,424
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$12,925 |
| 1977-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet Transitional Alloy Error– MS63 NGC. | N/A it is estimated that only 15 of these were struck over silver planchet | 60% copper
40% silver |
38.5 mm
24.9 grams |
$12,925 |
| 1973-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS67 PCGS | 2,000,000
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$12,925 |
| 1971-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Type 1 Silver Proof Reverse PR PCGS DCAM68 – Rare | 4,265,234
No |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$10,500 |
| 1971 $1 Eisenhower Dollar. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC. | 47,799,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$10,281 |
| 1972-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS67 PCGS | 92,548,511
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$9,775 |
| 1974-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Clad PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS. | 2,612,568
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$9,000 |
| 1971-S/S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Silver, Repunched Mintmark, FS-501 MS67 PCGS. | 6,868,530
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$8,813 |
| 1976-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar Type Two — Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet — AU55 PCGS Extremely Rare Wrong Alloy Error | N/A | 75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$8,225 |
| 1973 $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS66+ PCGS | 2,000,056
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$7,638 |
| 1972 $1 Eisenhower Dollar Type One MS66 PCGS | 75,890,000
There are nly four examples with this grade |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$7,475 |
| 1978-D $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS67 PCGS | 33,012,890
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$7,050 |
| 1977-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS | N/A
There are only 12 similar examples known to this day |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$7,015 |
| 1976-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Silver PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS | 11,000,000
No |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$6,900 |
| 1971-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Silver MS68 PCGS | 6,868,530
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$6,900 |
| 1974 $1 Eisenhower Dollar MS67 NGC | 27,366,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$6,600 |
| 1972-S $1 Silver Eisenhower Dollar–Double Struck in Collar, Close Overlap–MS67 PCGS. | 2,193,056
No |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$5,750
*Still not sold* |
| 1978 $1 Eisenhower Dollar PCGS MS67 | 25,702,000
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$5,500 |
| 1973-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Clad PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS | 2,760,339
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$5,405 |
| 1973-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar Silver MS69 PCGS | 869,400
No |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$5,170 |
| 1976-S $1 Eisenhower Silver Dollar, MS69 | 4,000,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
Outer layers – 80% silver and 20% copper
Center – 79% copper and 21% silver |
38.5 mm
24.60 grams |
$4,560 |
| 1977 $1 Eisenhower Dollar. MS-67 (NGC). | 12,596,000
Yes, there are a few different MS grade coins available |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$3,600 |
| 1978-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 68 Deep Cameo | 3,127,781
No |
75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center | 38.5 mm
22.68 grams |
$3,450 |
How To Identify Eisenhower Dollars?
There are a few simple details you need to pay attention to when checking your Eisenhower dollar coin. First, make sure you check the mintage year, these coins were in production from 1971 till 1978, but no Eisenhower dollar was minted in 1975!
The second detail is the mintage mark. Only three US mints were in charge of minting these coins. Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and Philadelphia which has no minting mark remember that!
Eisenhower dollar mintage material
The Eisenhower dollars are mostly made from a combination of copper and nickel. However, some proof coins and sets are made from a much more refined material combination – silver and copper.
These silver coins are usually made in the San Francisco Mint. This mint was responsible for producing uncirculated and proof strikes of the dollar coin for collectors. The ration is 60% copper and 40% silver content which makes them much more valuable than regular Eisenhower dollar coins.
Here is the list of uncirculated silver Eisenhower dollars:
- 1971-S
- 1972-S
- 1973-S
- 1974-S
- 1976-S
The list of Proof Silver dollars:
- 1971-S Proof
- 1972-S Proof
- 1973-S Proof
- 1974-S Proof
- 1976-S Proof
These silver proof sets are often referred to by collectors as blue ikes and brown ikes.
- Blue Ikes – These coins come in blue envelopes with an “S” marking on the coin. The original sale price of this set was $3.
- Brown Ikes – This set contains a silver-proof version of the 40% silver Eisenhower dollar. They come packed in brown faux wood grain boxes with a golden seal on the outside. The coin is housed in a plastic case. The brown Ike dollar proof set was sold at an original sale price of $10.
Also Read:
Where Can I Trade And Buy Eisenhower Dollars?
Since Eisenhower Dollars were rarely in circulation the best option is to look for them at official coin dealer shops, auction companies, and online. The best and safest places to look for particular coins are
You can also visit some local coin shows or on-site auctions if there are such events in your city or nearby.
FAQ
Do Eisenhower Dollars have any worth?
Eisenhower dollars that are made from a copper-nickel material combo are very common and their value never goes dramatically over their face value.
On the other hand, Eisenhower dollars made of 40% silver are worth a lot more than their face or melt value! Proof coins or regular silver coins in very good condition will fetch you from a few hundred up to a few thousand dollars.
Which is the rarest Eisenhower Dollar?
The most sought-after Eisenhower dollar is a silver 1976 bicentennial dollar. But not the regular original version, this particular coin was struck without the “S” marking and it is estimated that this coin is one of the rarest on the market.
Where should I look for the minting mark?
The Eisenhower dollars were minted in three different mints Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. As I already warned you, Philadelphia coins do not have any mint marking. But the other two mints did print their marks.
In the case of the Eisenhower dollars, the mint mark must always be placed just below the President’s profile. In case the mark is placed anywhere else you are probably looking at the fake coin. To be sure take the coin to some certified specialist just in case.
The Final Verdict
As you may notice through the article these coins are gaining popularity with time, which means their price will probably rise. Still, you should be careful, if you have the opportunity to choose, my advice is to invest in silver-clad coins which will always have at least some value.
The Eisenhower dollars are a big part of the US’s rich history, so it is nice to have some valuable memorabilia. But if you are looking to start your very first coin collection, these coins are great for the start.
I have a 1776-1976 uncirculated Eisenhower $1 coin its silver how much is it worth