Take a trip back in time to the early 1970s, a time of space exploration, political upheaval, and a new era for the US dollar. The Eisenhower dollar, named after the famed World War II general and President of the United States, was presented to the American people during this time period.
The Eisenhower dollar, with its iconic design and historical significance, is an enduring symbol of American history and numismatic tradition. Let’s look at the interesting story of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar, a currency that captured the heart of a nation and left an indelible effect on American society.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Denomination: One dollar
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 22.68 grams (0.8 oz)
- Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
- Edge: Reeded
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Minted in: Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D mint mark)
- Total mintage: 117,890,000 (Philadelphia) and 45,799,000 (Denver) for circulation; 1,811,631 proof coins.
The Eisenhower dollar from 1972 is an intriguing piece of American coinage. This one-dollar coin was created to honor Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States and a distinguished World War II general.
The currency is made up of 75% copper and 25% nickel, which gives it a characteristic golden color. The coin’s edge is reeded, with 13 raised lines.
The reverse side of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar features a representation of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The design depicts an eagle landing on the moon with the Earth in the background, reflecting the space program’s accomplishments and Eisenhower’s part in its advancement. The obverse of the coin depicts an image of President Dwight D. Eisenhower facing left, with the phrases “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” above his head and the year of minting below.
Francis Gasparro, who previously created the reverse side of the Kennedy half dollar, designed the Eisenhower dollar in 1972. The coin was struck without a mint mark at the Philadelphia Mint and with a “D” mint mark at the Denver Mint.
For circulation, 117,890,000 coins were struck in Philadelphia and 45,799,000 in Denver. In total, 1,811,631 proof coins were made, being struck numerous times to achieve the well-loved mirrored finish.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncircuated |
| 1972 No mint mark Eisenhower Dollar Value | $2 – $4 | $5 – $10 | $15 – $20 | $25 – $50 |
| 1972 D Mint Mark (Denver) Eisenhower Dollar Value | $2 – $4 | $5 – $10 | $15 – $20 | $25 – $50 |
| 1972 S Mint Mark (San Francisco) Eisenhower Dollar Value | $3 – $6 | $8 – $12 | $20 – $25 | $35 – $60 |
| 1972 Proof Eisenhower Dollar Value | – | – | $12 – $15 | $20 – $30 |
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value and Varieties Guides
1972 No mint mark Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower Dollar
- Mark Category: No Mint Mark
- Materials: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: None
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia Mint
- Year of Minting: 1972
- Face Value: $1
- Price: $2 – $4 (Good), $5 – $10 (Fine), $15 – $20 (Extremely Fine), $25 – $50 (Uncirculated)
- Quantity: 117,890,000
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Mass: 22.68 grams (0.8 oz)
- Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
One of the most common Eisenhower dollar coins, The 1972 No Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar was produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1972. Over 117 million of these coins were produced, but despite their availability, the 1972 No Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar remains a popular item among collectors. The value of the coin varies depending on its condition, with a coin in good condition selling for around $2-4, while an uncirculated coin can fetch prices of $25-50 or more.
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1972 D Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower Dollar
- Mark Category: D Mint Mark (Denver)
- Materials: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: D
- Place of Minting: Denver Mint
- Year of Minting: 1972
- Face Value: $1
- Price: $2 – $4 (Good), $5 – $10 (Fine), $15 – $20 (Extremely Fine), $25 – $50 (Uncirculated)
- Quantity: 58,793,000
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Mass: 22.68 grams (0.8 oz)
- Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
The 1972 D Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar is a coin that was minted in Denver, Colorado, in 1972. With over 58 million coins produced, this Eisenhower dollar is a piece of American history that is widely available to collectors. The value of the coin depends on its condition, with a coin in good condition selling for around $2-4, and an uncirculated coin can go up to $25-50.
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1972 S Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower Dollar
- Mark Category: S Mint Mark (San Francisco)
- Materials: 60% copper, 40% silver
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: S
- Place of Minting: San Francisco Mint
- Year of Minting: 1972
- Face Value: $1
- Price: $3 – $6 (Good), $8 – $12 (Fine), $20 – $25 (Extremely Fine), $35 – $60 (Uncirculated)
- Quantity: 58,141,000
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Mass: 22.68 grams (0.8 oz)
- Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
The 1972 S Mint Mark Eisenhower Dollar was minted in San Francisco, California, in 1972. With over 58 million coins produced, the “S” mint-marked coin is a symbol of its prestigious origin from the San Francisco Mint. A good condition coin in good condition costs around $3-6, and an uncirculated version around $35-60.
1972 Proof Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Proof Eisenhower Dollar
- Materials: 80% silver, 20% copper
- Edge: Reeded
- Place of Minting: San Francisco Mint
- Year of Minting: 1972
- Face Value: $1
- Price: $15 – $25 (Proof-60), $25 – $35 (Proof-63), $35 – $45 (Proof-65), $55 – $75 (Proof-68 or higher)
- Quantity: 1,811,631
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Mass: 24.59 grams (0.87 oz)
- Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
One of the least common coins in this series, the 1972 proof Eisenhower dollar was minted in San Francisco, California, in 1972 and has a mintage of just over 1.8 million coins. The value of the 1972 Proof Eisenhower Dollar depends on its grade, with prices ranging from $15-25 for Proof-60, up to $55-75 or more for coins graded Proof-68 or higher.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar History
The Eisenhower dollar was a one-dollar currency issued by the United States government between 1971 and 1978. The currency was named after the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who died in 1969. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee proposed the Eisenhower dollar in 1966, and President Richard Nixon authorized the design of the coin in 1970.
In 1971, the Eisenhower dollar was first struck. The currency was created to replace the silver dollar, which had been in use since the late 1800s. The new dollar coin was made out of copper and nickel, with a greater diameter and thicker design than its predecessor.
In 1972, the Eisenhower dollar was still produced in four different varieties: no mint mark, D mint mark (Denver), S mint mark (San Francisco), and proof.
The coin’s obverse has a portrait of Eisenhower, while the reverse depicts an eagle landing on the moon. The eagle landing on the moon was an allusion to the ongoing space race, as well as Eisenhower’s role as the president who launched the space program.
The Eisenhower Dollar Type 2 reverse design debuted in 1977, and it displays a modified version of the original eagle motif on the coin’s reverse. The wings of the eagle are slightly shorter and wider, while the tail feathers are more detailed than on the original Type 1 design, which was used from 1971 to 1976.
The Eisenhower dollar was only manufactured for a few years before being discontinued in 1978.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Grading
Grading can be extremely significant for collectors of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar. Because the coin was made in numerous different variants, each with a different mintage and condition, it’s critical to understand its grade in order to accurately assess its value.
Understanding the grading process and the numerous criteria that go into selecting a coin’s grade will help collectors of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar make informed decisions about which coins to add to their collection.
If you want to check out more about this, you can check out this video that follows the grading process of a 1972 Eisenhower dollar.
List of 1972 Eisenhower Dollar Errors
When a coin contains a mistake, collectors value it higher. This is due to the fact that mistake coins are comparatively rare in comparison to their conventional counterparts, making them highly sought after. Some collectors specialize solely in collecting mistake coins, and they are willing to pay a premium for them.
The following are some of the most prevalent mistakes:
No S Mint Mark
The San Francisco Mint produced a limited amount of Eisenhower dollars without the “S” mint mark in 1972. The lack of a mint mark was most likely due to a manufacturing error or a paucity of mint marks at the time. Because they are considered a form of mistake, these coins are relatively rare and desirable to collectors.
Doubled Die Obverse
A doubled die error can happen when the design on the die used to strike a coin is slightly misplaced, resulting in a doubling of the design components. Certain 1972 Eisenhower dollars contain a doubled die obverse, which implies that the image of Eisenhower’s profile on the coin’s front is somewhat doubled. Because they are considered a form of mistake, these coins are rare and desirable to collectors.
Filled “G” Reverse
Certain 1972 Eisenhower dollars may have a “G” in “God” that appears to be filled in on the reverse of the coin. This is a tiny mistake that could have been caused by a flaw in the die used to strike the coin. Although the filled “G” error is not as common as some of the other flaws associated with the 1972 Eisenhower dollar, it can still be valuable to collectors.
Die Cracks
Die cracks happen when a coin’s striking die develops microscopic cracks or breaks, which are subsequently transmitted to the coin’s surface upon striking. Die cracks on some 1972 Eisenhower dollars can be identified by small lines or breaks in the metal that follow the contours of the design components. Die cracks are a common form of defect that can be hard to pinpoint, but can add value to a piece for a collector.
Struck-Through Errors
When foreign items become trapped in the die used to strike a coin, they leave an impression on the coin’s surface during striking. Certain 1972 Eisenhower dollars may have struck through errors, which are visible as minor, irregular forms or lines on the coin’s surface.
Off-Center Strikes
An off-center strike happens when the coin has not been properly aligned in the press during striking, resulting in displaced or uneven graphic details. Certain 1972 Eisenhower dollars may contain off-center striking, which can increase the coin’s value due to its rarity and unusual appearance.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar FAQ
How much is a 1972 Eisenhower Dollar coin worth?
A 1972 Eisenhower Dollar coin’s worth is determined by various criteria, including its condition, mint mark, and whether it is a standard issue or an error coin. A circulated 1972 Eisenhower Dollar is worth between $2 and $5 on average, whereas an uncirculated coin can be for $10 to $50 or more.
What makes a 1972 Eisenhower Dollar rare?
The 1972 Eisenhower Dollar is not particularly rare, considering over 150 million were produced. Rare variations, such as the “Type 2” reverse design and “No FG” types, might, nonetheless, attract greater prices from collectors.
How much is a 1972 Eisenhower uncirculated silver dollar worth?
The bullion value of a 1972 Eisenhower uncirculated silver dollar is determined on the current market price of silver. The melt value of a 1972 Eisenhower silver dollar is roughly $8.50 as of March 2023.
How can I tell if my 1972 Eisenhower Dollar is silver?
The edge of a 1972 Eisenhower Dollar can be used to detect whether it is silver or not. It is a normal copper-nickel-clad coin if it has a copper-colored edge. It is a 40% silver coin if it has a silver-colored edge.