Dwight David Eisenhower served two terms as President of the United States (1953 to 1961) and served with distinction as the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe. His leadership won him the rank of Five Star General, which only 9 Americans have ever attained. “Ike” was considered a war hero and easily won election as President serving two consecutive terms. Ike passed away in 1969 at the age of 78.
No coins bearing a one dollar denomination were struck since the 1936 Peace Silver Dollars. The denomination was re-introduced in 1971 to honor the passing of Ike and also to honor the Moon Landing. Both of those important events occurred in 1969. Since 1971, the U.S. Mint has released a modern dollar coin every year, although the Eisenhower dollar series ended in 1978.
Chief Engraver of the US Mint, Frank Gasparro, designed both sides of the Eisenhower Dollar. The obverse depicts the head of Ike, facing left, with the date below and “LIBERTY” on the upper periphery. The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is in the left field.
The reverse of the coin depicts an American Bald Eagle landing on the Moon, based on a mission patch designed by Michael Collins, the NASA astronaut. Above the eagle is a depiction of planet Earth, below the eagle is the denomination “ONE DOLLAR” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the upper periphery and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” below that. This reverse design was used between 1971 and 1974. In 1975 no coins Tand in front of it is superimposed a very large Liberty Bell.” The Moon Landing reverse was reinstated in 1977 and used in 1978, which was the last year of issue. The Ike Dollar is the only large sized dollar coin that contained no silver in its circulation strikes, but “S” mint Silver-Clad coins were struck in both Uncirculated and Proof. The Silver-Clad coins were struck of .800 Fine Silver over .200 Copper.
Some dates in MS67 or higher grades are very rare and valuable, but not all dates.
To learn more about this coin series, read our article on the Eisenhower Dollar’s history.
Key Dates and Varieties
1971-D C-N Clad, Variety 1
The Variety 1 coins have a flattened Earth but three clearly defined islands off of Florida. This coin is scarce in Mint State grades 63 or higher.
1972 C-N Clad, Variety 1
This is just like the Variety 1 above, with similar looks and rarity.
1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 2
The Variety 2 coins are recognized by the High Relief design that instead of a flattened Earth has a rounded Earth and weak islands showing off of Florida. This coin is scarce in grades up to MS-63 and rare in any grades above MS-63.
1974-S Silver Clad Unc
The Uncirculated version of the S mint is scarce in grades above MS-66.
1976-S Silver Clad, Variety 1
The coin has a high mintage, but Variety 1 coins are scarcer than Variety 2.
1976 Silver Clad, Variety 2
This coin is extremely rare as only one 1976 (Philadelphia Mint) is known to be struck in silver in Variety 2.
Eisenhower Key Dates and Varieties
| Date MM | Mintage | Very Fine | Abt Unc | Ch Unc |
| 1971-D CN Var 1 | Included | $10 | $50 | $100 |
| 1972 CN Var 1 | Included | $10 | $35 | $125 |
| 1972 CN Var 2 | Included | $15 | $75 | $150 |
| 1974-S Silver Clad | 1,900,156 | $12 | $20 | $40 |
| 1976-S S-C Var 1 | 11,000,000 | $15 | $25 | $45 |
| 1976 S-C Var2 | 1 KNOWN | —- | —- | UNIQUE |
| Common Clad | —- | $2 | $4 | $20 |
| Common Silver | —- | $10 | $20 | $30 |
The complete Eisenhower Dollar set is relatively easy to complete except for the unique error coin.
