The Eisenhower silver dollar was minted from 1971 to 1978 to commemorate former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Most Eisenhower dollars are common and only worth a small premium over their silver melt value. However, there are certain varieties and errors that make some Eisenhower dollars rare and valuable to collectors.
Key Dates
One of the main factors that increases an Eisenhower dollar’s value is if it is a key date. The key dates for the Eisenhower dollar series are:
- 1971-S – This was the first year the Eisenhower dollar was minted. The 1971-S coins were only included in mint sets sold directly by the U.S. Mint. As a result, the 1971-S has a lower mintage of about 6 million compared to over 75 million for other dates.
- 1974-D – The Denver mint only produced around 2.8 million 1974-D Eisenhower dollars, making it the lowest mintage of the series.
- 1976-S – This was the last year the Eisenhower dollar was intended for general circulation. The 1976-S was another mint set only issue, with a mintage of 4 million.
Coins with one of these dates in uncirculated condition can be worth $15-25 compared to $5-10 for common dates. The 1971-S and 1976-S proof coins included in special proof sets are also scarce and command significant premiums.
Condition
The condition or grade of an Eisenhower dollar also impacts its value. Since most Eisenhower dollars went directly into circulation, finding them in grades above MS63 or PF65 is unusual. Here are some approximate values based on condition:
| Condition | Value |
| MS60 | $8-12 |
| MS63 | $10-15 |
| MS65 | $25-50 |
| MS67 | $75-150 |
| PF65 | $20-40 |
| PF67 | $60-120 |
| PF69 | $150-300 |
As you can see, uncirculated coins in MS65 grade or proof coins in PF67 grade and higher carry significant premiums over more well-worn examples. This is especially true for the lower mintage key dates.
Errors and Varieties
There are also some scarce errors and varieties that make certain Eisenhower dollars more valuable. These include:
- Friendly Eagles Reverse – In 1971 a few Eisenhower dollars were struck with a reverse die created for the Apollo 11 moon landing commemorative medal. These “Friendly Eagles” dollars have an eagle landing on the moon design on the reverse instead of the standard Eisenhower dollar eagle.
- Type 2 Reverse – In the early 1970s some Eisenhower dollars have a slightly different reverse design with more slender and pointed eagle claws. These “Type 2” reverses are scarcer.
- Doubled Die Obverse – A few 1971-D Eisenhower dollars show strong doubling of the date and other obverse design elements. This doubled die variety can be worth up to $350+ in uncirculated grades.
- Missing Letters – Errors such as a missing mint mark or missing letters in “Liberty” also carry a premium.
The friendly eagles and type 2 reverses in top grade can be valued at $2,000 or more. Even circulated examples usually sell for $100-200. So it pays to closely examine Eisenhower dollars for any potential errors or varieties.
Special Label Holders
Some Eisenhower dollars were distributed in special label or pouch holders by the U.S. Mint or private companies. Examples include the 1971-S brown plastic Uncirculated Mint Set holder and blue Ike dollar holders issued by the Franklin Mint. Coins still sealed in the original holders can command a decent premium, especially for keys dates. However, also be aware that sometimes coins are moved into more desirable holders to try to increase value.
Toning
While most Eisenhower dollars have a bright silver appearance, some develop colorful toning over time. Toning refers to the rainbow hues that naturally occur on a coin’s surface due to compounds in the air reacting with the metal. Collectors will pay a premium for attractively toned Eisenhower dollars, especially so-called “monster” or “paint roller” tones that feature dramatic rainbow colors across the entire coin. Beautifully toned coins can potentially be worth 2-3 times more than untoned examples.
Major Mint Errors
There also exists a small number of Eisenhower dollars with major mint errors. These dramatic errors were caused by issues with the minting process and resulted in Eisenhower dollars with very unusual appearances. Examples include:
- Broadstruck – Coins that were struck without the collar die to form the rim and edges. This results in a flattened and spread out coin.
- Clipped Planchet – Coins struck on incomplete blank planchets missing a curved section.
- Double Denomination – Coins with multiple denominations such as a doubled Ike dollar and Lincoln cent.
- Off-Center Strike – Dramatically off-center coins with the design pushed to one side.
These types of errors are highly desirable to specialized error collectors. Unique Eisenhower dollar errors have sold for anywhere from $5,000 up to $50,000 or more at auction.
Silver Content
In general, the silver melt value forms the minimum baseline value for any Eisenhower dollar. With silver currently around $22/oz, an Eisenhower dollar’s silver value is around $14. So even common dates in circulated condition are worth at least their bullion value. Additionally, Eisenhower dollars dated 1973 or later contain no silver at all, so those dates have lost the interest of bullion investors.
Certification
Due to the premiums involved, serious collectors tend to prefer Eisenhower dollars graded and encapsulated by third-party grading services like PCGS or NGC. The certification and numeric grade verifies the coin’s condition and also authenticates that it is not a counterfeit. Graded coins with the First Strike or other special designations also see increased interest and value.
Popularity
As one of the most plentiful modern U.S. Mint issues, the Eisenhower dollar does not have the same demand level as pre-1965 silver coins. However, there is still a niche market of collectors putting together Eisenhower dollar date and mintmark sets. Additionally, the large 40mm size gives the Eisenhower dollars more visual appeal than smaller coins.
Final Thoughts
When found in choice uncirculated grades or special varieties, even common date Eisenhower dollars can be worth a decent premium. For major rarities like the 1971-S, prices in perfect grades quickly rise into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. So while most Eisenhower dollars have low values, with careful inspection it is possible to identify scarce and valuable pieces. Learning to recognize the key dates,Mint marks, condition, errors, and toning is the key to finding elusive rarities in circulation or mixed auction lots.