Do you have a 1974 silver dollar at home and are thinking if it is worth anything? When determining the value of the 1974 silver dollar, it is important to note that not all 1974 dollars are silver at all. The standard 1974 is a mix of copper and nickel with a silver-like appearance. Only the coins minted at San Francisco Mint contain real silver.
For this article, we have included information on both the standard and the silver issues of the 1974 silver dollar. So read on to find out about the potential value of your 1974 silver dollar.
1974 Silver Dollar Details
- Category: Eisenhower dollar
- Face Value: $1.00
- Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeters (1.5 inches)
- Thickness: 2.58 millimeters (0.1 inches)
- Weight: 22.68 grams (0.8 ounces)
- Composition: 91.67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel
- Melt Value: $0.2272
Description
The 1974 dollar is known as the Eisenhower dollar, which was minted from 1971 until 1978. The standard issue is made of copper-nickel alloy, which gives the coin its silver-like appearance. On the obverse of the coin, is a portrait of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. The obverse also includes the inscription ”LIBERTY”, the date 1974, and the phrase ”In God We Trust”.
The reverse of the coin has an adaptation of the Apollo 11 insignia, depicting an eagle with spread wings. It is holding an olive branch and has a bundle of arrows in its talons. The moon and the Earth are also included in the design. The words ”One Dollar”, ”E Pluribus Unum”, and ”United States of America” are all on the reverse.
1974 Silver Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Very Fine VF20 | Extremely Fine AU50 | Uncirculated MS64 | Uncirculated MS65 |
| 1974 Eisenhower Dollar No Mint Mark | $1.05 | $1.10 | $25 | $35 |
| 1974-D Eisenhower Dollar | $1.05 | $1.10 | $17.50 | $30 |
| 1974 S Silver Dollar | $6.75 | $7.25 | $20 | $25 |
1974 Silver Dollar Value
1974 Eisenhower Dollar No Mint Mark Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: None
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting: 1974
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.05 – $35
- Mintage: 27.3 million
The 1974 Eisenhower dollars were minted in the Philadelphia Mint and over 27 million of them were produced. These coins are reasonably common and easy to find. Even though they are not the rarest of coins, they are still popular with collectors because of their historical value and generally worth more than their face value.
The 1974 dollars with no mint mark are worth between $1,10 and $1.25 in well-circulated grades. A no-mint mark, uncirculated 1974 dollar with a no-mint mark can be worth up to $35. However, the record for a 1974 dollar with no mint mark is $6,000 in a 2021 auction.
1974 D Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: D
- Place of minting: Denver
- Year of minting: 1974
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.05 – $30
- Mintage: 45.5 million
The 1974 D dollar is a very common coin, with over 45 million pieces having struck at the Denver Mint during 1974. The coins can easily be recognized from the D mintmark, which is located just above the denomination near the bottom.
In good circulated condition the 1974 D dollar is worth around $1.25. Uncirculated specimens with lower uncirculated grades are likely to fetch around $10, while high-grade uncirculated coins can be worth around $30. However, 1974 D Eisenhower dollars with errors can fetch thousands of dollars.
1974 S Eisenhower Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting: 1974
- Face value: $1
- Price: $6.75 – $25
Three different 1974 dollars were produced at the San Francisco Mint. These are
- 1974-S Clad Proof Dollar:
- 1974-S Silver Dollar; and
- 1974-S Silver Proof Dollar
The 1974-S clad proof dollar was sold to collectors at $7 per piece. In total, 2,612,568 clad proofs were minted. They can be identified with the letter S, which indicated they were minted in San Francisco. The value of the coin depends on various factors including its condition. The most valuable 1974 clad-proof dollar was sold in a 2020 auction for $9000.
The 1974 silver dollar contains 40% silver and 1,900,156 were struck at the San Francisco Mint. They are not considered rare despite the low print run unless they are in a very high mint state. However, because of the silver, they are worth more than the face value. The most expensive 1974 silver dollar sold so far was an MS-58 graded dollar, which sold for $13,512.50 in 2021.
The 1974-S Silver Proof Dollar is known by some coin collectors as ”Brown Ike”. It also contains 40% of silver and 1,306,579 of the silver proofs were minted in San Francisco. On average, the 1974-S proof silver dollars are worth between $10 and $15. However, they can be more valuable such as the Proof-70 graded dollar that sold for $4,600in a 2007 auction.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars Worth Money
History
The 1974 dollar is part of a commemorative coin series first issued in 1971 by the United States Mint. The dollar, which is known as the Eisenhower dollar, or Ike dollar for short, was issued to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing and to honor President Dwight D Eisenhower. It was produced in 1978 at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.
Frank Gasparro who was the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint designed the coin. The image on the reverse, which is the official insignia of Apollo 11, was intended to represent the technological achievements made by the United States in the space race against the Soviet Union. The obverse represented the accomplishments of the 34th US president.
Even though the dollar had a commemorative status, large quantities of the Eisenhower dollar were released and they were used in regular circulation. However, this eventually led to the discontinuation of the coin because there were numerous coins that remained unused as people collected them instead of using them.
Why Was The 1974 Dollar Produced in 40% Silver?
The silver proof version of the 1974 Eisenhower dollar was produced by the United States Mint as part of its annual proof set. The silver proof set, which was made of 40% silver, included a coin of each denomination and they were struck at the San Francisco Mint.
The United States Mint hoped the proof dollar would appeal to coin collectors. It was designed to offer coin collectors a desirable, high-quality version of the 1974 dollar. The 1974 silver dollar features the same designs, but it has a distinct appearance thanks to its mirror-like finish.
How to Tell the 1974 Silver Dollar Apart From the Standard Coin?
If you own a 1974 Eisenhower dollar, how do you know if it is a standard version or the 40% silver version of the coin? It is quite easy to tell the silver-clad coins apart from the copper-nickel-clad coins even if you are not a numismatic or an avid coin collector. The silver coins have a shiner, mirror-like finish and they are also heavier. While the copper-nickel alloy coins weigh 22.68 grams, the silver dollars weigh 24.59 grams.
1974 Silver Dollar Grading
The 1974 silver dollars and the regular Eisenhower dollars are graded, like all other coins, using a scale from one to seventy. In the US, there are professional grading companies that will grade the coins, for example, before they are entered into an auction.
These grading companies include ANACS, NGC, and PCGS. The scale, known as the Sheldon grading scale, is based on the overall condition of the coin. Below are some factors that affect a coin’s grade.
- Strike quality refers to the quality of the impression the coin die made when striking the coin. Well-struck coins have sharp, clear details and there are no irregularities.
- Surface preservation refers to the damage or the amount of wear and tear on the coin, such as dings, dents, and scratches.
- Eye appeal refers to the coin’s overall visual appeal. This includes factors such as toning, luster, and other visual characteristics.
If you are new to coin grading or would like to refresh your knowledge, this video from PCGSCoins offers valuable information on grading circulated coins.
1974 Silver Dollar Errors
1. 1974 Silver/ Eisenhower Dollar Double Die Error
The 1974 dollar with a double die error is a rare coin. Depending on how significant the doubling is, the coins with a double die error can be worth between $100 and $500, sometimes even more, especially if the coin is the 1974 silver dollar variety.
If you are looking for a double die error on a 1974 silver or Eisenhower dollar, look for a doubling in the date, the lettering, or the design details, for example, the Moon’s craters or Eisenhower’s eye.
2. 1974 Silver/ Eisenhower Dollar Off-Center Error
1974 dollars with an off-center error are often valued higher than those with a double die error. Again, 1974 silver dollars with an off-center error are often more valuable than regular dollars with the same error. However, the exact valuation, which could be from $500 to $2000 and more, also depends on the overall condition of the coin.
3. 1974 Silver/ Eisenhower Dollar Broadstrike Error
This category of errors includes errors such as no reeding or parallel lines and no raised rim on the edge of the 1974 dollar. You can tell if a coin has a broadstrike error by looking at the edge or the rim of the coin and comparing it to others. Usually, coins with broadstrike errors are wider than normal, showing no edge reeding, or do not have a raised rim.
1974 Eisenhower dollars that have a broadstrike error can be valued upwards from $150 for clad coins. If it is a 1974 silver dollar with a broadstrike error, it could be valued in excess of $700.
4. 1974 Silver/ Eisenhower Dollar With No Mint Mark
While the Philadelphia 1974 dollars are not expected to have a mint mark, coins minted in Denver or San Francisco should have the letter D or S to show their origin. However, some coins that should have a mint mark were mistakenly printed without a mint mark and are more valuable than regular 1974 dollars.
5. 1974 Silver/ Eisenhower Dollar Die Clash Error
Errors due to die clashes are due to a coin die striking another die without a blank coin, called a planchet, between them. The result is a faint, somewhat ghostly impression of the design of the opposite die.
1974 silver or Eisenhower dollars with a die clash error are not as valuable as some of the other error types, but they can still often be valued higher than regular dollars depending on the severity of the error and the overall condition of the coin.
If you have a 1974 silver dollar or a 1974 Eisenhower dollar with an error, it could be worth more, sometimes significantly more, than regular dollars of the same year. However, not all errors will add value to the 1974 dollar and some may even decrease the value.
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1974 Silver Dollar FAQs
How much is a 1974 silver dollar worth today?
Based on the NGC Price Guide, a circulated 1974 Eisenhower dollar is valued upwards from $1.05, while the 1974 silver dollar, with 40% silver, is valued from $6.75 when in very fine condition.
However, uncirculated coins will be valued higher, as will those with errors. The exact value will always also depend on the condition of the coin, its rarity, and its overall look, among other things.
How much is a 1974 no-mint mark silver dollar worth?
The no-mint mark 1974 dollars were minted in Philadelphia. How much they are worth depends on several factors such as whether it has been in circulation or not and their overall condition.
A 1974 no-mint mark silver dollar, also known as the Eisenhower dollar, in a very fine circulated condition is generally worth around $1.05. Uncirculated specimens are worth more and those with errors can be worth hundreds or even thousands depending on the severity of the error.