As coin dealers, we come across many different types of coins, but one of the most prevalent U.S. coins that we see are Eisenhower silver dollars. As the name implies, these coins contain silver content, but that’s not always the case.
Today’s tip of the week touches on Eisenhower silver dollars and how to know if they contain silver content. Three U.S. Mints produced Eisenhower silver dollars, which were minted from 1971 – 1978, but only two mints produced these coins for general circulation.
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 for collectors. The Eisenhower dollar was replaced by the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979. 1971-S Eisenhower Dollar (Blue Pack) In terms of strike and quality, the 1971-S is the poorest of the Blue Pack Ike dollars. In the case of 1972 Eisenhower dollars, it’s quite simple—no “S” mintmark, no silver! Next is determining whether your 1972-S dollar has a proof or uncirculated finish. In the case of a 1972-S 40% silver Eisenhower dollar, this will have little bearing on the coin’s value in most cases. Unlike Peace Dollars and Morgan Dollars, Eisenhower dollars were minted in a copper-nickel alloy rather than a 90% silver 10% copper alloy. By the 1970's, silver prices had risen to the point where striking general circulation coins from silver was no longer cost-effective. Prior to 1965, all dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars coins were produced i. The Eisenhower Dollar was issued by the U.S. Government from 1971-1978. Following a 36 year lapse, this U.S. Silver dollar coin reestablished the denomination after the Peace Dollar had been discontinued. The Eisenhower Dollar was the last dollar coin to contain proportional amounts of base metal to lower denominations, with the same amount of copper-nickel as two Kennedy Half Dollars.
The Philadelphia and Denver mints produced Eisenhower silver dollars for general circulation. These coins are clad, which are a combination of nickel and copper, and don’t contain any value above and beyond the face value of the coins. However, the San Francisco Mint produced 40% silver Eisenhower dollars from 1971 – 1976 specifically for collectors.
The coins were only available through the San Francisco Mint through special order and were packaged in a blue envelope (uncirculated) a brown box (proof) or in a red envelope. Even though they were special order coins, some 40% Eisenhower silver dollars still made their way into circulation.
Besides checking for an “S” mintmark on the obverse or front of the coin, collectors can check the edge of the coin for a copper stripe. If a solid copper stripe exists, then one can assume that they have a clad Eisenhower silver dollar in their possession; however, if a solid silver stripe can be seen, then you likely have a 40% silver coin in your collection.
We hope that the above information on how to know if your Eisenhower dollar contains silver was helpful, and we welcome you to contact Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers if we can be of any assistance in identifying your Eisenhower silver dollars, or for that matter, any other type of coin. We look forward to hearing from you and earning your business!
The US Mint made more than 170 million Eisenhower dollars in 1972. Only around two million of them were silver, with the rest being copper-nickel clad. Even though copper-nickel clad 1972 dollars don’t contain silver, some are still worth significant money due to their numismatic value.
The Various Types of 1972 Dollars
1972 Eisenhower silver dollar, Type II. Image: USA CoinBook
The United States Mint produced four distinct types of copper-nickel clad 1972 dollars, as well as two in 40% silver. Here’s a further rundown on the six types of 1972 dollars:
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 1
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 2
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 3
- 1972-D Copper-Nickel Clad
- 1972-S 40% Silver Clad
- 1972-S 40% Silver Clad Proof
Note that there are no 1972-S copper-nickel clad proofs. Dollars were not included in proof sets until 1973.
Both types of 1972-S Eisenhower silver dollars were packaged individually for sale to collectors. The 40% silver proof Ikes. are commonly referred to as “Brown Ikes” or “Brown Pack Ikes.” Their original government packaging is a brown-colored faux wood grain cardboard box.
The 40% silver uncirculated Eisenhower dollars are often dubbed “Blue Ikes” or “Blue Pack Ikes.” They were protected by heat-sealed plastic packaging and shipped in blue-colored outer paper envelopes.
Many 40% silver Eisenhower dollars have been broken out of their original government packaging. Some were placed in albums, while others have been graded by coin grading services. Even so, enough silver 1972 Eisenhowers remain in their packaging to meet demand. Therefore, there is presently not a standard markup for these pieces. As time goes on and more are broken out of their holders, Brown Ikes and Blue Ikes still in their original government packaging may earn premiums.
The Three Types of Philadelphia 1972 Clad Eisenhower Dollars
Let’s get back to those three 1972 Eisenhower dollar varieties for a moment… What makes them different from each other?
The three differences are all found on the coin's reverse. The reverse design, by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, incorporates the Apollo 11 insignia. You’ll note that the planet Earth is visible in the design above the eagle’s head and right wing. You'll further see geographical details of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The accuracy—or relative lack thereof—in the appearance of Florida and the Caribbean islands is what sets the three types apart.
Type 1 – The island of Cuba, seen below a stumpy peninsula of Florida, appears as a tear-drop blob rather than the crescent-shaped peninsula that it is. Another notable diagnostic of the Type 1 is the coin’s overall strike, which is rather soft and results in a low-relief appearance.
Type 2 – The Type 2 is the scarcest of the three copper-nickel 1972 Ike dollar varieties. It shows Florida appearing more like a triangular funnel, while the Caribbean islands are faint in appearance.
Type 3 – This is the most geographically correct design of the three, showing Florida with more coastal detail on its west side. Cuba appears truer to form as a crescent-shaped island, and the islands of Hispaniola and Jamaica to the east and south of Cuba are more distinct.
All 1972 Philadelphia-strike Eisenhower dollars will fall into one of these three varieties. The Type 1 and Type 3 prove to be the most common, and the Type 2 being remarkably scarce. Perhaps only 1 in 32 of the 1972 Philadelphia-minted Ikes can be attributed as a Type 2.
What’s A 1972 Eisenhower Dollar Worth?
Values range from anywhere between a few cents over face value to thousands of dollars. Of course, that’s not the vague answer you came here for. You’re going to need to know what type of 1972 Eisenhower dollar you have, as well as if it is a 40% silver Eisenhower dollar or copper-nickel clad one.
All 1972 40% silver Ikes have an “S” mintmark just below Eisenhower’s neck on the obverse. Suppose your Eisenhower dollar has either a “D” mintmark or no mintmark. In that case, your 1972 Ike dollar is not silver. No further testing or inspection of the coin by a coin dealer or bullion expert is necessary. In the case of 1972 Eisenhower dollars, it’s quite simple—no “S” mintmark, no silver!
Next is determining whether your 1972-S dollar has a proof or uncirculated finish. In the case of a 1972-S 40% silver Eisenhower dollar, this will have little bearing on the coin’s value in most cases. But it’s still important to know whether you have a proof or business strike.
Proofs boast a mirror-like surface, whereas business strikes have a satiny appearance. This is the primary aesthetic difference between proof and uncirculated 1972-S Ikes. However, the details of a proof Eisenhower dollar are much stronger and distinct than on an uncirculated strike. This is true for both silver and clad proofs.
Ready to find out what your 1972 Eisenhower dollar is worth? By this point you have learned the difference between the three types of 1972 Philadelphia Eisenhower dollars, as well as between 1972-S proof and uncirculated Ikes. The 1972-D Eisenhower dollars speak for themselves. They’re all clad, with no known major varieties.
1972 Eisenhower Silver Dollar: Current Prices
*Values are for problem-free coins that serve as typical representatives for their grade. The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to.
The 1972 Eisenhower dollar values above show that even circulated versions of the 1972 Type 2 clad dollar are worth looking for and saving. Contrary to the widely held notion that worn clad coins are worthless, this isn’t true in all cases—especially for errors and varieties.
Still, the silver Ikes are the ones that hold the most value across the board. 40% silver Eisenhower dollars have long been popular with silver stackers and other types of bullion investors.
For more information on buying and selling 1972 silver dollars, please contact Gainesville Coins.
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.
Eisenhower Silver Dollar 1972
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