A number of different versions of the coins were struck for collectors during the short duration of the series. In total, about 49 million collector coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint, including uncirculated and proof coins struck in a 40% silver or copper nickel clad. The silver coins were sold individually from 1971 to 1974 and as part of a 3 coin set in 1976. The clad proof coins were struck for inclusion in the annual proof set from 1973 to 1978.

The tables below present the mintage figures for Eisenhower Dollars including circulation strikes, uncirculated silver dollars, and proof coins.

Circulation Strike Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

Uncirculated Eisenhower Silver Dollar Mintages

Proof Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

The Type 1 coins are generally encountered in lower grades and were minted in smaller numbers as compared to the Type 2 coins.

A total of eight different 1976 Eisenhower Dollars exist as a result of the varieties. The 1976, 1976-D, and 1976-S clad proof coins are found in either Type 1 or Type 2. The 1976-S silver proof and uncirculated coins are only found with the Type 1 reverse.

1976 Eisenhower Dollar, Type 1

This variety shows bold, block lettering on the reverse of the coin. This type of lettering can be found on the earliest produced Philadelphia and Denver Mint circulation strikes, the clad proof 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars included in 1975 Proof Sets, all 40% Silver Proof 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars, and all 40% Silver Uncirculated 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars.

For the circulation strike 1976 Eisenhower Dollars, the Type 1 coins are much more difficult to obtain in high grades as compared to the later Type 2 coins. This is particularly true to the Philadelphia issue, which can sell for thousands of dollars for examples graded MS66.

1976 Eisenhower Dollar, Type 2

This variety displays thinner, more elegant lettering on the reverse. This type can be found on the later produced Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes and clad Proof 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars from 1976 Proof Sets.

In general, the Type 2 coins are found with much higher quality strikes and higher grades.

The three reverse types were used on different coins of the series, with one exception. The 1972 Eisenhower Dollars struck at the Philadelphia Mint used each of the different reverse types at various times during the year. This created three different varieties, with one of them representing a low mintage rarity.

The different 1972 Eisenhower Dollar varieties can most easily be attributed based on differences in the appearance of the Earth pictured in the background of the reverse design.

1972 Eisenhower Dollar, Type 1

This type can be identified by the three islands, which appear to the right of Florida. The design also has some flatness at the 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock area of the Earth.

This design had overall low relief and was used for all business strike coins issued in 1971. The 1972-D Eisenhower Dollars used this reverse type throughout the year. In 1972, the Philadelphia Mint used this reverse at the beginning of the year.

1972 Eisenhower Dollar, Type 2

The rare Type 2 can be identified by the lack of islands beneath Florida. Incuse water lines appear in their place. The design also shows a lack of detail in the continents.

This reverse which featured a higher relief was used for the 1972-S Proof and Uncirculated Eisenhower Dollars. Either by accident or as an experiment, this reverse type was also used to strike some 1972 Eisenhower Dollars at the Philadelphia facility. Based on die life, it is estimated that less than 100,000 were produced.

The Type 2 1972 Eisenhower Dollar carries a premium even in lower grades due to its rarity. Examples graded MS65 can sell for around $2,000. The few pieces graded MS66 command six figure prices.

1972 Eisenhower Dollar Type 3

This type is identified by the three islands which appear beneath and to the left of Florida. The overall relief and details of the earth also appear strengthened.

This reverse was created after more resilient die steel became available. It was used for the remainder of the Philadelphia Mint’s production of the 1972 Eisenhower Dollar. In the following year, this reverse type was used for all business strike and proof Eisenhower Dollars.

1974 Proof Silver Eisenhower Dollar

Proof Eisenhower Silver Dollars were produced at the San Francisco Mint and sold to collectors individually from 1971 to 1974. These 40% silver coins are often referred to as “Brown Ikes” in reference to the brown colored boxes within which they were packaged.

Coins were sold to collectors at an issue price of $10.00 per coin. This was a big premium to the uncirculated 1971-1974 Blue Ikes, which were offered for only $3.00 per coin. The proof coins were sealed in rigid plastic holders and placed within a brown box with red insert.

Many Brown Ikes which have resided in the original packaging will exhibit toning or discoloration. Most times, this appears as an unattractive, haziness or uneven milky tones. Sometimes the coins do exhibit attractive toning, which can occur with multiple colors or a bulls eye pattern.

The highest mintage Proof Silver Eisenhower Dollar was 1971, when over 4 million were sold. The mintages showed big declines after the inaugural year, reaching their trough in 1973 when 1,013,646 coins were sold. This issue carries a premium to the other silver proofs.

1972 Blue Ike

The United States Mint produced a limited number of Eisenhower Dollars in 40% silver composition. During the first four years of the series, these coins were individually packaged and sold to collectors. The uncirculated versions are often referred to as “Blue Ikes,” referring to the color of the outer envelope.

The uncirculated Eisenhower Silver Dollars were struck at the San Francisco Mint and carried the “S” mint mark. When the series was first introduced, the US Mint stated that they intended to produce 150 million of the 40% silver coins. This proved to be ridiculously optimistic. Fewer than 7 million of the coins were sold in 1971, and the sales totals dropped to lower levels for the years 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Each coin was included within an individual cellophane pack with a blue plastic token. The pack was placed within a blue outer envelope with the Depart of the Treasury Seal and white script indicating the contents. These Blue Ikes were sold to collectors for $3.00 each.

The lowest mintage Blue Ike was the 1973, with only 1,883,140 produced. This coin carries a premium above the other uncirculated Silver Eisenhower Dollars.

“Blue Ike” Packaging

The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar marked the final year of the series, after only eight years duration. However, during this period, a whopping total of 34 coins were issued across clad and silver compositions and major varieties.

During the year, the Eisenhower Dollars were produced for circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Mintages showed increases from the prior year, but remained well below the levels experienced earlier in the series. The 1978-S Proof Eisenhower Dollar was issued by the San Francisco Mint in clad composition for the annual proof set.

The following year, the dollar coin would be reduced in size and take on a new design featuring a famous figure from the women’s suffrage movement. The Susan B. Anthony Dollar series would prove even shorter lived then than the Eisenhower Dollars with three years of issuance before production ceased, excluding the one year reprise for the series in 1999.

Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mintages

• 1978: 25,702,000
• 1978-D: 33,012,890
• 1978-S Proof: 3,127,781

Coin Specifications

• Designer: Frank Gasparro
• Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
• Weight: 22.68 grams
• Diameter: 38.1 mm
• Edge: Reeded

< 1977 Eisenhower Dollar

1977 Eisenhower Dollar

The 1977 Eisenhower Dollar was issued in more typical fashion, following the proliferation of different varieties and compositions that had been available in the earlier years of the series. Coins were struck for circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints and in proof version at the San Francisco Mint. The original reverse design was also restored.

Quality of circulation strike coins vastly improved this year, with coins more readily available in gem condition across both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Coins are less available at the MS66 grade level, and scarce in MS67.

The San Francisco Mint produced proof Eisenhower Dollars in clad composition only. These coins were issued only as part of the US Mint’s 1977 Proof Set .

1977 Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

• 1977: 12,596,000
• 1977-D: 32,983,006
• 1977-S Proof: 3,251,152

1977 Eisenhower Dollar Specifications

• Designers: Frank Gasparro
• Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
• Weight: 22.68 grams
• Diameter: 38.1 mm
• Edge: Reeded

< 1976 Eisenhower Dollar | 1978 Eisenhower Dollar >

1976-D Eisenhower Dollar, Type 2

The 1976 Eisenhower Dollar featured a new reverse design issued to celebrate bicentennial of the American Revolution. The redesign of the denomination was authorized by Congress, along with the requirement that coins issued between July 4, 1975 and January 1, 1977 should carry the date “1776-1976″ rather than the date of mintage.

A national contest was held to solicit Bicentennial coinage designs from the public. There were 884 entries received with bicentennial designs for the dollar, half dollar, and quarter. The winning entry for the Eisenhower Dollar was submitted by Dennis R. Williams, who at the time of selection was a 22 year old student majoring in sculpture. He was awarded $5,000 for his design featuring the Liberty Bell extending over the moon.

The 1976 Eisenhower Dollars are found with two distinct varieties, identifiable by the style of lettering on the reverse of the coin. Type 1 coins use bold, block lettering, while Type 2 coins use thinner, more delicate lettering. The first type was produced primarily during 1975 and the second type during 1976. Among circulation strikes, the Type 1 variety is more difficult to find in higher grade, particularly for the Philadelphia issue. Find images and more information on 1976 Eisenhower Dollar Varieties.

The San Francisco Mint produced 1976 Eisenhower Silver Dollars featuring the Bicentennial design. Authorization was provided to strike up to 45 million Bicentennial coins in a composition of 40% silver. Proof and uncirculated versions of the Washington Quarter, Kennedy Half Dollar, and Eisenhower Dollar were produced and sold to collectors in 3 coin silver uncirculated or proof sets. Orders were accepted by the US Mint starting November 15, 1974, with shipment beginning after July 4, 1975.

Clad composition proof Eisenhower Dollars were also struck at the San Francisco Mint. These coins were included in the 1975 and 1976 Proof Sets. The former sets contain the Type 1 variety and the latter sets contain the Type 2 variety coins.

1976 Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

• 1976 Type 1: 4,019,000
• 1976 Type 2: 21,048,710
• 1976-D Type 1: 21,048,710
• 1976-D Type 2: 82,179,564
• 1976-S Silver: 4,908,319
• 1976-S Silver Proof: 3,998,621
• 1976-S Type 1 Clad Proof: 4,149,730
• 1976-S Type 2 Clad Proof: 4,149,730

1976 Eisenhower Dollar Specifications

• Designers: Frank Gasparro (obverse), David R. Williams (reverse)
• Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (clad), 40% Silver, 60% Copper (silver dollars)
• Weight: 22.68 grams (clad), 24.59 grams (silver dollars)
• Diameter: 38.1 mm
• Edge: Reeded

< 1974 Eisenhower Dollar | 1977 Eisenhower Dollar >

1974-D Eisenhower Dollar

Regular production resumed with the 1974 Eisenhower Dollar, following the prior year when coins were only issued for collectors. The Philadelphia and Denver Mints struck coins for general circulation, while the San Francisco Mint struck three different versions of the coin for collector sets and individual sales.

As with prior years, the Denver Mint coins are generally more available in higher grades than the Philadelphia Mint coins. A typical source for uncirculated examples of these coins are the 1974 Mint Sets, which sell for only a modest premium to the face value of the coins included in the set. Cherry picking may yield a set, which includes 1974 Eisenhower Dollars graded gem or higher.

The 1974 Silver Eisenhower Dollars once again consisted of uncirculated and proof versions struck at the San Francisco Mint that were individually packaged and sold to collectors at premium prices. As established in the prior year, the San Francisco Mint also struck proof Eisenhower Dollars in standard clad composition for inclusion in the annual proof set.

Notably, no Eisenhower Dollars were issued carrying the date 1975. Rather, the US Mint began production of the redesigned Bicentennial coins dated “1776-1976″.

1974 Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

• 1974: 27,366,000
• 1974-D: 45,517,000
• 1974-S Silver: 1,900,156
• 1974-S Silver Proof: 1,306,579
• 1974-S Clad Proof: 2,612,568

1974 Eisenhower Dollar Specifications

• Designers: Frank Gasparro
• Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (clad), 40% Silver, 60% Copper (silver)
• Weight: 22.68 grams (clad), 24.59 grams (silver)
• Diameter: 38.1 mm
• Edge: Reeded

< 1973 Eisenhower Dollar | 1976 Eisenhower Dollar >

1973 Eisenhower Dollar

After two years of high production for circulation, the 1973 Eisenhower Dollar was produced in limited numbers for inclusion in collector sets only. As a result, the 1973 and 1973-D coins having the lowest mintage amongst the clad circulation strikes of the series.

Approximately two million Eisenhower Dollars were struck by the Philadelphia and Denver Mints for inclusion in the 1973 Mint Set. A total of 1,769,258 of the sets were ultimately sold, so the remaining coins were destroyed. The Philadelphia Mint issue can be challenging to locate in high grade, while the Denver issue is generally found with a better strike and often deep luster.

The San Francisco Mint produced three different versions of the coin this year. This included the 1973 Eisenhower Silver Dollars struck in a composition of 40% silver. These coins were sold to collectors individually, priced at $3.00 for uncirculated coins and $10 for proof coins. Mintages for these offerings reached their lows this year. The San Francisco Mint also struck proof Eisenhower Dollars in the standard clad composition. These were included in the 1973 Proof Set, representing the first time the Eisenhower Dollar was included in the annual set.

1973 Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

• 1973: 1,769,258
• 1973-D: 1,769,258
• 1973-S Silver: 1,883,140
• 1973-S Silver Proof: 1,013,646
• 1973-S Clad Proof: 2,760,339

1973 Eisenhower Dollar Specifications

• Designers: Frank Gasparro
• Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (clad), 40% Silver, 60% Copper (silver dollars)
• Weight: 22.68 grams (clad), 24.59 grams (silver dollars)
• Diameter: 38.1 mm
• Edge: Reeded

< 1972 Eisenhower Dollar | 1974 Eisenhower Dollar >