The Eisenhower Dollar was the first coin of its denomination released after the switch from silver based coinage to copper nickel clad coinage. The series was issued to commemorate the 5 Star General and 34th President of the United States, as well as the Apollo 11 mission that brought man to the moon. The duration of the series was ultimately short, from 1971 to 1978, with many years struck with low mintages.
The obverse design of the coin features a portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower in profile, facing left. The inscription “LIBERTY” appears above with “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left, and the date below. The reverse of the coin depicts a bald eagle landing on the moon with an olive branch in its talons. This was based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia. Both sides of the coin were designed by Frank Gasparro. For the 1976 Eisenhower Dollar, a special bicentennial reverse design was used featuring the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon.
Eisenhower Dollar Notes:
- The duration of the series was eight years, but within this time frame numerous collector issues expand the scope of the series.
- The San Francisco Mint struck 40% silver coins in uncirculated version for direct sale to collectors.
- Coins were not issued bearing the date 1975, but rather all coins produced during this year carry the bicentennial dual date. The coins struck in 1975 carry the Type 1 reverse style, while the coins struck in 1976 carry the Type 2 reverse style.
- The lowest mintage non-silver circulation strike was the 1973 Eisenhower Dollar, with 1,769,258 each struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints for inclusion in the 1973 Mint Set.
- The highest mintage year was 1976, when nearly 200 million coins were struck for circulation.
Eisenhower Dollar Mintages:
| Issue | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 47,799,000 |
| 1971-D | 68,587,424 |
| 1971-S Silver | 6,868,530 |
| 1971-S Silver Proof | 4,265,234 |
| 1972 | 75,890,000 |
| 1972-D | 92,548,511 |
| 1972-S Silver | 2,193,056 |
| 1972-S Silver Proof | 1,811,631 |
| 1973 | 1,769,258 |
| 1973-D | 1,769,258 |
| 1973-S Proof | 2,760,339 |
| 1973-S Silver | 1,883,140 |
| 1973-S Silver Proof | 1,013,646 |
| 1974 | 27,366,000 |
| 1974-D | 45,517,000 |
| 1974-S Proof | 2,612,568 |
| 1974-S Silver | 1,900,156 |
| 1974-S Silver Proof | 1,306,579 |
| 1976 Type 1 | 4,019,000 |
| 1976-D Type 1 | 21,048,710 |
| 1976-S Proof Type 1 | 2,845,450 |
| 1976 Type 2 | 113,318,000 |
| 1976-D Type 2 | 82,179,564 |
| 1976-S Proof Type 2 | 4,149,730 |
| 1976 Silver Proof | 1 Known |
| 1976-S Silver | 11,000,000 |
| 1976-S Silver Proof | 4,000,000 |
| 1977 | 12,596,000 |
| 1977-D | 32,983,006 |
| 1977-S Proof | 3,251,152 |
| 1978 | 25,702,000 |
| 1978-D | 33,102,890 |
| 1978-S Proof | 3,127,781 |
