LemonTrades
TL;DR
- Eisenhower dollars were struck from 1971 to 1978. Coins made for circulation are copper-nickel and usually worth about $1.
- Collector coins from San Francisco (S) in 1971–1974 and 1976 are 40% silver, holding 0.3161 troy ounces, worth the live melt value below.
- The 1975 and 1976 coins carry the double date 1776–1976 and a Liberty Bell over the moon.
- LemonTrades follows the silver price for you, with alerts on sharp moves and the likely cause.
Eisenhower dollars rarely circulated, except in casinos, so many survive in good condition.
Year by year
| Year | Silver versions | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1971-S | 1971-D “Friendly Floating Clouds” variety |
| 1972 | 1972-S | Philadelphia Type 2 is scarce |
| 1973 | 1973-S | No 1973 coins were released for circulation; P and D only in mint sets |
| 1974 | 1974-S | |
| 1776–1976 | In three-coin Bicentennial silver sets | Two lettering styles, Type 1 and Type 2 |
| 1977–1978 | None | Last years before the Susan B. Anthony dollar |
Silver or copper-nickel?
Look at the mint mark above the date and at the edge. Silver coins weigh 24.59 grams; copper-nickel ones 22.68 grams, with a copper stripe on the edge.
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.
By year: 1971 and 1972. The dollar that replaced it: the Susan B. Anthony dollar.
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.
