LemonTrades
TL;DR
- Most 1972 Eisenhower dollars, from Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D), are copper-nickel and worth about $1.
- The 1972-S collector coin is 40% silver, with 0.3161 troy ounces, worth the live melt value below.
- Philadelphia struck three slightly different reverse types in 1972. Type 2 is scarce and worth much more.
- LemonTrades follows the silver price for you, with alerts on sharp moves and the likely cause.
Here’s what a 1972 dollar is worth, depending on which one you have.
The three 1972 types
As the Mint improved the design during 1972, Philadelphia coins came in three versions, told apart by details of Earth on the back:
| Type | Scarcity |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | Common |
| Type 2 | Scarce, the one to find |
| Type 3 | Common |
The differences are small: the shape of Earth, the outline of Florida and the islands of the Caribbean, and the detail around the eagle. Telling them apart takes a magnifying glass and a good guide. If you think you have a Type 2, get it checked by a dealer or grading service.
Which 1972 dollars are silver
| 1971 to 1978 Eisenhower dollar | Silver | Where you’d find it |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (no mark) and Denver (D) | None: copper-nickel | Circulation and mint sets |
| San Francisco (S), 1971–1974 and 1976 | 40% silver, 0.3161 oz | Sold to collectors, in blue envelopes and brown proof boxes |
| San Francisco (S) proofs | None: copper-nickel | Regular proof sets |
Condition matters most: a worn coin and a sharp, uncirculated one of the same date can differ by ten times or more. Look for wear on the highest points of the design, and never clean a coin you might sell; cleaning cuts its value.
Selling
To sell, compare offers from two or three coin dealers, or have a valuable coin graded by PCGS or NGC first. Bulk common coins sell close to melt value: see junk silver. Is it real? See is silver magnetic.
See also the 1971 silver dollar and Eisenhower dollar values.
Sources
Education, not financial advice. Collector values vary with condition and demand; get a valuable coin checked by a reputable dealer or grading service. See our disclaimer.
