Eisenhower Dollars
The Eisenhower Dollar was issued from 1971 to 1978. The obverse of the coin features Dwight D. Eisenhower and the reverse is based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia. For circulation, the coins were struck in copper-nickel clad composition, although “silver dollars” were also produced and issued at a premium. Despite the short duration of the series, the different compositions, strikes, and varieties create a much larger and challenging collection. As the last large size dollar coin of the United States, Eisenhower Dollars remain favorite of many modern coin collectors.
Eisenhower Dollar History and Design
The production of dollar coins entered a lengthy hiatus after the Peace Dollars of 1935. By this time, the required production under the Pittman Act had been completed and plenty of silver dollars were stockpiled within Treasury vaults. The denomination almost made a come back in 1964 when Congress authorized the production of new silver dollars, however, the quantity produced was recalled and melted before issuance. In the following year, the Coinage Act of 1965 would eliminate the silver content from circulating US coins and forbid the minting of silver dollars for a period of five years.
After the end of the five year period, the first legislation to create a new dollar coin was introduced in October 1969. The legislation sought to create a circulating dollar coin which would commemorate Dwight D. Eisenhower who had died earlier that year and the Apollo 11 space flight, which marked man’s first steps on the moon. A modified bill authorizing the production of the Eisenhower Dollar was eventually passed on December 31, 1970.
The Chief Engraver for the United States Mint Frank Gasparro designed both the obverse and the reverse of the coin. The obverse bore a profile bust of Eisenhower with inscriptions “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, and the date. To prepare the design, Gasparro studied some 30 pictures of the former President and Five Star General as well as a drawing he had made in 1945 after catching a glimpse of Eisenhower at a welcome home and victory parade in 1945.
The reverse of the coin is based on the mission insignia from the Apollo 11 space flight. This was deemed particularly appropriate by Congress since the space program began under Eisenhower’s administration. The reverse design featured a bald eagle landing on the surface of the moon, carrying an olive branch. In the background, the Earth is visible as seen from space. The inscriptions read, “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “One Dollar” with thirteen stars incorporated into the image.
The 1971 Eisenhower Dollar bearing Frank Gasparro’s design would first be issued for circulation on November 1, 1971. A few months earlier on July 1, uncirculated and proof versions struck in 40% silver would be available for collectors.
A different reverse design was introduced for the 1976 Eisenhower Dollar to celebrate the bicentennial of the American Revolution. The design by Dennis R. Williams featured an image of the Liberty Bell and the moon. The second element paid tribute to Gasparro’s original design. The bicentennial reverse appears on coins minted during 1975 and 1976, which bear the dual date “1776-1976″ on the obverse.
Eisenhower Dollar Composition
Eisenhower Dollars were struck for circulation using the copper-nickel clad composition, which was also being used for circulating dimes, quarters, and half dollars. The composition consists of an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel, bonded to a core of pure copper. The resulting net composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
As provided by the authorizing legislation, Eisenhower Silver Dollars were also struck for collectors. Initially, a quantity of 150 million silver dollars was authorized for production over four years. These coins had an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper and an inner layer of 40% silver and 60% copper. The resulting net composition is 40% silver and 60% copper, with silver content of 0.3161 troy ounces. Authorization was later provided to produce 1976 Eisenhower Dollars with the same composition.
