American Eagle Coins![Silver Dollar Coin Silver Dollar Coin](/uploads/1/3/6/4/136453961/174375658.jpg)
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Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, symbolizing strength and endurance.
- Year of Issue: 2020
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 99-61
Background
American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins are affordable investments, beautiful collectibles, thoughtful gifts and memorable incentives or rewards. Above all, as legal tender, they’re the only silver bullion coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government. They’re also the only silver coins allowed in an IRA.
Silver has historically been the most affordable precious metal. Since 1986, the United States has minted one-dollar silver coins called “Silver Eagles.” Each contains a minimum of one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver.
Affordability. Credibility. Beauty.
BeiQian Best Morgan Silver Dollars-(1804-1926) Coin Collecting-Silver Dollar USA Old Original Pre Morgan Dollar goodService 1921 3.8 out of 5 stars 819 $2.99 $ 2. From 2007 to 2016, the Mint issued four Presidential $1 Coins per year, each with a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The composition of the Presidential $1 Coins is identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar and the Native American $1 Coins. Recently Issued Presidential $1 Coins. The silver coin minted by the Spanish in the 1700s was worth eight “reals” of Spanish gold, and merchants would cut the dollar into eight pieces, known as “bits,” to make change. Congress officially adopted the Spanish milled dollar as the U.S. Unit of value in 1785, a decision codified in 1792 by the Coinage Act.
![Silver Dollar Coin Silver Dollar Coin](/uploads/1/3/6/4/136453961/174375658.jpg)
The design is based on Adolph A. Weinman’s 1916 “Walking Liberty” half dollar, widely considered one of the most beautiful American coins ever minted. Silver Eagles are easy to buy and sell at most coin, precious metal and brokerage companies. Locate an authorized dealer. Prices are based on the market price of silver, plus a small premium to cover minting and distribution costs.
Affordability. Credibility. Beauty.They’re the qualities that have made American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins the world’s best-selling silver coins, with more than 130 million sold since 1986.
![Silver Silver](/uploads/1/3/6/4/136453961/165143925.jpg)
Characteristics
Obverse: Design based on Adolph A. Weinman's 1916 'Walking Liberty' half dollar.Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, symbolizing strength and endurance.
Obverse Inscriptions
- LIBERTY
- IN GOD WE TRUST
- Year
Silver Dollar Coin Values
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- 1 OZ. FINE SILVER
- ONE DOLLAR
Artist Information
Obverse- Designer: Adolf A. Weinman
- Sculptor: John Mercanti
Related Information
Like Ike? Plenty of coin collectors do! A growing number of numismatists are building sets of Eisenhower dollars.
Read below for a full list of Eisenhower dollar prices.
The Eisenhower dollar was struck from 1971 through 1978 and was intended for regular commerce. Ultimately it failed to see the light of day as a circulating coin beyond the casinos of Las Vegas.
Few people knew back in the 1970s that the Eisenhower dollar would be the last circulating large-size dollar coin in the United States.
Today, it's become one of the top modern collectible coins, and for good reason. Ike dollars constitute a relatively short series with many unusual varieties to collect.
What Are Eisenhower Dollars Worth?
Eisenhower dollars appeal to collectors on a variety of budgets. Many pieces challenge even financially well-heeled collectors. Prices for some key date Ike dollars reach into the thousands of dollars.
Nonetheless, the majority of Eisenhower dollars are much more affordable to obtain. What follows is an Eisenhower dollar price guide. The values reflect examples in MS-63 (uncirculated) and Proof-65 grades.
Eisenhower Dollar Price Chart
Date | Composition & Finish | Price |
---|---|---|
1971 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $4 |
1971-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1971-S | 40% Silver Clad Uncirculated | $10 |
1971-S | 40% Silver Clad Proof | $11 |
1972 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1972-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1972-S | 40% Silver Clad Uncirculated | $10 |
1972-S | 40% Silver Clad Proof | $11 |
1973 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $10 |
1973-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $10 |
1973-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Proof | $11 |
1973-S | 40% Silver Clad Uncirculated | $11 |
1973-S | 40% Silver Clad Proof | $30 |
1974 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $4.50 |
1974-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $4.50 |
1974-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Proof | $5 |
1974-S | 40% Silver Clad Uncirculated | $11 |
1974-S | 40% Silver Clad Proof | $13 |
1776–1976 | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety I (Thick Reverse Letting) Uncirculated | $6 |
1776–1976 | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety II (Serifed Lettering) Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1776–1976-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety I Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1776–1976-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety II Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1776–1976-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety I Proof | $8 |
1776–1976-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Variety II Proof | $6 |
1776–1976-S | Silver Clad Variety I Uncirculated | $14 |
1776–1976-S | Silver Clad Variety I Proof | $17 |
1977 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1977-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1977-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Proof | $4 |
1978 | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.75 |
1978-D | Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated | $3.50 |
1978-S | Copper-Nickel Clad Proof | $4 |
All the values listed above represent typical specimens. These have regular surface quality for their respective grades and conditions.
Better pieces command significantly higher premiums than the prices listed above. This is due to the difficulty of locating Eisenhower dollars (mainly clad business strikes) with few marks.
How the Eisenhower Dollar Was Created
Which Coins Are Silver
United States Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro created the coin's design. The first Eisenhower dollars were struck in 1971.
Cupro-nickel clad versions were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint for circulation. Meanwhile, 40% silver examples were made in San Francisco as proofs for collectors.
Copper-nickel S-mint proofs didn't come around until 1973. This was the first year that regular uncirculated sets and proof sets included the Eisenhower dollar.
In 1975, the U.S. Mint began producing special commemorative circulating Eisenhower dollars honoring the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
These Bicentennial dollars showcase a dual-dating feature declaring 1776–1976 on the obverse. The reverse design by Dennis Williams features the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon.
The standard Eisenhower dollar reverse and obverse dating resumed in 1977. Yet the end was in sight for the coin in 1978.
The public deemed the Eisenhower dollar too large. Americans were unwilling to carry large numbers of the heavy dollar coins during a period of runaway inflation.
40% Silver Eisenhower Dollar
The large dollar coin had failed to circulate well and was thus retired before 1979. This was when the Susan B. Anthony dollar, also designed by Gasparro, entered circulation.
However, the Susan B. Anthony dollar never caught on with the public, either. It was retired shortly after that in 1981. It returned for a one-year stint a general later in 1999 before being put out to numismatic pasture for good.
Collecting Eisenhower Dollars
The vast majority of hobbyists who collect Eisenhower dollars aim to complete a 32-coin set. It consists of all the regular-issue business-strike and proof coins. This includes the 40% silver Ikes dated 1971-S, 1972-S, 1973-S, 1974-S, and 1976-S.
Tricky Ikes: Only a small percentage of the total Eisenhower dollar mintage is 40% silver. Image source: Reddit user rddt1983
Such a set can be completed with coins in typical uncirculated and proof grades for less than $500. That includes the 40% silver key dates mentioned above.
Collectors with deeper pockets will add a much more expensive dimension to their Ike dollar objectives. They often pursue each of the regular-issue clad coins in Gem grades. They target proofs that grade Proof-67 or higher. Many will also seek the abundance of scarce varieties known for this series.
Surprisingly, clad business strikes in grades of MS-65 to MS-66 or better are among the most valuable Eisenhower dollars. There are few such Ikes that grade MS-68 or better.
The United States Mint took little care in handling or transporting these large, heavy circulating dollar coins. Understanding this, it becomes clearer why clad Ikes in Gem condition are so tough to locate. Most of the rarest Gem examples trade for more than $1,000 today.
Eisenhower Proofs
Top-end proofs are not nearly as rare as their high-grade clad business-strike counterparts. They are tough to find with full cameo frosting, however. The 40% silver Ikes are among the easiest examples to find in grades of Proof-69 or Proof-70.
Meanwhile, deep cameo contrast is most common on the 1977-S and 1978-S Eisenhower dollars. This originated from a period when deep cameo frosting was becoming more the norm rather than the exception for U.S. proof coinage.
1972 Eisenhower Variety
Image: USA CoinBook
The Eisenhower dollar boasts a wide array of varieties. Those who collect design varieties have plenty to love.
The most popular varieties are found among 1972 Ikes. It showcases at least three different versions of planet Earth on the reverse design.
- Type I is a relatively low-relief variety showing three islands to the right of Florida.Challenge coins history. Challenge Coins that ROCK by Challenge Coin USA. Quality custom Challenge Coins for all occasions, also available are Lapel Pins, Patches, Wall Plaques, Mony Clips, Bottle Openers, Cuff Links, Display Case, and Badges. Why You Should Choose Challenge Coin USA LLC! Welcome to Challenge Coin Company. When Challenge Coin Company was officially founded in 1995, it was the only military coin design and manufacturing company solely owned by a. With custom challenge coins that incorporate your logo, military insignia and other elements, you’re free to use your creativity to design a challenge coin for every occasion. Challenge Coins Ltd. Is proud to offer custom challenge coins.
- Type II, the scarcest of these three varieties, shows no islands below Florida. (Water lines are in their place instead.)
- Type III shows three islands below and to the left of Florida.
Clearly, there are some geography issues at hand with these varieties. They keep collectors busy!
Several other exciting oddities are out there. This includes various doubled dies and the rare 1974-D and 1977-D 40% silver transitional wrong-metal strikes.
There are numerous avenues in the Eisenhower dollar series that one can take. So many collectors have devoted their entire numismatic careers just to the Eisenhower dollar.
These modern clad coins offer a multitude of rewarding opportunities for collecting, research, and discovery—enough to satisfy even the most passionate of dedicated collectors for a lifetime!
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.
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