Eisenhower dollar
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Eisenhower dollar A dollar coin issued by the United States government from 1971-1978, equal to 100 cents. (not to be confused with the Eisenhower Commemorative Dollar of 1990) The Eisenhower Dollar followed the Peace Dollar and is named for General/President Dwight David Eisenhower who appears on the obverse. The obverse and reverse of this coin were designed by Frank Gasparro.
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Specifications
- Obverse Design: General/President Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Reverse Design: The Apollo 11 Mission Insignia
- Bicentennial Reverse Designer: Dennis Williams
- Bicentennial Reverse Design: The Liberty Bell and the Moon
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
Composition
The Eisenhower Dollar was struck with a copper-nickel composition for circulation and was the first United States dollar coin to not be struck in a precious metal, but special collectors issues were struck at the San Francisco Mint in a silver-copper composition.
Copper-Nickel Issues:
- Weight: 22.68 grams
- Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Silver-Copper Issues (Silver Clad):
- Weight: 24.59 grams
- Composition: 79.1% Copper, 20.1% Silver
- Silver Content: 0.3164 ounces
History
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The Eisenhower Dollar was struck to celebrate Dwight D. Eisenhower who died in 1969 and the Apollo 11 moon landing that also occured in 1969. It was minted for only a seven year period. The coins were saved as momentos of Eisenhower but never saw much circulation aside from casinos. Special Bicentennial issues were minted in 1975 and 1976.
Mints
Mintmarks appear above the thrid and fourth numbers in the date under Eisenhower's neck. Mintmarks include:
- Blank (P - Philadelphia Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- D (Denver Mint in Denver, Colorado)
- S (San Francisco Mint in San Francisco, California)
Bicentennial Dollar
Special reverses were added to all quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins minted in 1975 and 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of American Independence from Great Britain. In addition, the date was shown as 1776-1976 for the quarters, half dollars, and dollars minted in 1975 and 1976. The reverse of the Eisenhower Dollar was designed by Dennis Williams and shows the Liberty Bell in front of the moon.
Silver Issues
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Some Eisenhower Dollars were minted in a silver clad to be sold to collectors. All of these coins were minted at the San Francisco Mint in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1976. These coins were either uncirculated or proof. Uncirculated coins came in cellophane with a blue plastic token in a blue envelope. Proof issues came in a proof set like plastic case in a fancy brown wood colored box with a gold seal on back. The uncirculated coins are reffered to as 'Blue Ikes' and the proofs as 'Brown Ikes'. Coins minted in 1975 and 1976 for the Bicentennial come along with the quarter and the half dollar of that year.
Missing Ikes?
Eisenhower Dollars did not appear in the 1971 and 1972 mint and proof sets. This is often a disappointment to young collectors. To get mint coins in these dates, you must find either a Blue or Brown Ike (see Silver Issues).
References
- Yeoman, R.S. A Guide Book of United States Coins Atlanta: Whitman Publishing, 2004
- Edler, Joel and Harper, Dave U.S. Coin Digest Iola: Krause Publications, 2004
Resources
External link
- PCGS Price Guide for Eisenhower Dollars (http://www.pcgs.com/prices/frame.chtml?type=date&filename=eisenhower_dollar_mod)
- Eisenhower Dollar Mintages at coinfacts.com (http://coinfacts.com/silver_dollars/eisenhower_dollars/eisenhower_dollars.html)