1976 Silver Dollar Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

Are you a collector of 1976 silver dollars, or are you interested in purchasing one and want to know its value? This article provides information on the value and history of 1976 silver dollars, including different varieties, history, and rarity.

Find out how much your 1976 Silver Dollar is worth today and why it should be added to a numismatic collection.

1976 Silver Dollar Details

• Category: Eisenhower dollar
• Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
• Total Mintage: 21,048,710
• Obverse Design: Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Reverse Design: Liberty Bell in front of the Moon
• Designer: Obv: Frank Gasparo; Rev: Dennis Williams
• Edge: Reeded (198 reeds)
• Diameter: 38.1 mm (1.5 inches)
• Thickness: 2.58 mm (0.10 inches)
• Composition: 40% silver plus 60% copper
• Weight: 24.624 grams

Also Read: Top 21 Most Valuable 2000 P Sacagawea Dollar Coin Worth Money

1976 Silver Dollar Value Chart

This value chart from Greysheet Catalog provides an overview of the average values of 1976 silver dollars based on their condition and other factors.

1976 Silver Eisenhower Dollar Value Chart
Mint Mark	OGP	MS62	MS63	MS64	MS65	MS66
1976 Type 1 Silver Dollar Value	$5.40	$4.73	$5.40	$24.30	$182	$2,250
1976 Type 2 Silver Dollar Value	$4.05	$3.38	$4.05	$16.20	$29.70	$143
1976-D Type 1 Silver Dollar Value	$4.05	$3.38	$4.05	$27	$40.50	$228
1976-D Type 2 Silver Dollar Value	$4.05	$3.38	$4.05	$16.20	$33.75	$108
1976-S Silver	$9.73	$9.68	$10.02	$16.20	$35.10	$61
1976 Silver Eisenhower Dollar Value Chart (Proof)
	OGP	PR62	PR63	PR64	PR65	PR66
1976-S Silver	$14.85	$14.85	$14.85	$16.20	$17.55	$17.55

*OGP (Original Government Packaging)

1976 Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guides

1. 1976 Silver Dollar (No Mint Mark)

 

1976 Silver Dollar	Mintage	Price
Type l	4,019,000	$5.40 to $2,250
Type ll	113,318,000	$4.05 to $143

• Type: Eisenhower dollar (Type l & ll)
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint mark: None (P)
• Place of minting: Philadelphia
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $1
• $ price: $5.40 to $2,250
• Quantity produced: 4,019,000
• Designer: Obv: Frank Gasparo; Rev: Dennis Williams

1976 Type I Silver Dollar Value

Type I dollars were minted in 1975 to commemorate the Bicentennial design by Dennis R. Williams, paired with Frank Gasparro’s Eisenhower portrait on the obverse side. Williams was only 22 years old when he created the design.

The Type l version showcases bold and thick lettering on its reverse side. This particular style of lettering is featured on the initial batch of circulated coins created by the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

In 2014, the 1976 Type I clad Bicentennial dollar coin sold for a record-breaking $28,200 due to an unexpected mistake where a quarter was struck using the same design. The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation graded this error as MS64.

The Type I 1976 coin is rarer than the Type II variant minted in the same year. Even coins with an MS65 grade of the 1976 Type I are challenging to come by as the coin is a scarce find in top-notch condition. Suppose one has a specimen that scores MS66 or higher. In that case, submitting it for grading is highly recommended to preserve it for future generations, according to PGCS. This coin is a scarce find in top-notch condition.

1976 Type ll Silver Dollar Value

The 1976 Type II dollar coin from the Philadelphia Mint produces much more than the Type I dollar. It was released in later circulation strikes and the 1976-S Proof Sets.

The 1976 Type ll Eisenhower Dollar is found in proof and silver-clad formats. It was minted in 1976, unlike the Type l dollars produced in 1975. The Type II dollar coin’s reverse side displays sharper and more polished lettering than the Type I coin. This suggests that the Type II coin is of higher quality.

In addition, this dollar variation also has a notable error that makes it the most valuable specimen of its kind ever sold. This error is highly sought after, like the Type, I clad dollar from 1976. In fact, in 2007, this clad dollar-with-a-dime design was sold for $8,050. The coin was graded MS64 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

1976 (D) Silver Dollar Value

1976 (D) Silver Dollar	Mintage	Price
Type l	21,048,710	$4.05 to $228
Type ll	82,179,564	$4.05 to $108

• Type: Eisenhower dollar (Type l & ll)
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint mark: D
• Place of minting: Denver
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $1
• $ price: $4.05 to $228
• Quantity produced: 21,048,710
• Designer: Obv: Frank Gasparo; Rev: Dennis Williams

Two versions of Eisenhower Dollars were produced abundantly in 1976 by the U.S. Mint in Denver but have blemishes on their surfaces. It has a “D “mint mark below Eisenhower’s head and above the date, sharing the same design as the Philadelphia version. One has thicker letters (Type l), and the other has thinner letters (Type ll). This difference is evident in the letters “The United States of America” and “One Dollar.”

1976 (D) Type l Silver Dollar Value

Type l is less common than Type ll, and finding MS67 examples of either type is difficult. Keep an eye out for refined lettering with feet (serifs). However, blockier lettering was a notable feature of this variant.

1976 (D) Type ll Silver Dollar Value

The 1976-D Type II dollar coin had a more extensive production quantity than the Type l version. One silver dollar coin was sold for $3,600 in 2021. It was graded MS67 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, making it one of the priciest coins sold.

1976 (S) Silver Dollar Value

 

• 1976-S Silver Uncirculated Dollar Coin Value
• Type: Eisenhower dollar
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint mark: S
• Place of minting: San Francisco
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $1
• $ price: $9.73 to $61
• Quantity produced: 11,000,000
• Designer: Obv: Frank Gasparo; Rev: Dennis Williams

1976-S Silver Dollar coins with the “S” mintmark were produced in San Francisco. They were part of a three-piece set of 1976 uncirculated coins, including a 1976 Bicentennial quarter and a half dollar, with 40% silver content.

According to the Jewels Advisor website, the proof dollar made in 1976 with 40% silver and graded PR70DCAM was worth $6,900 in 2008. And in 2019, The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation graded the most valuable 1976-S silver uncirculated dollar coin as MS69. It was sold for an impressive $4,560.

1976 (S) Silver Proof Dollar Value

 

• Type: Eisenhower dollar
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint mark: S
• Place of minting: San Francisco
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $1
• $ price: $14.85 to $17.55
• Quantity produced: 4,000,000
• Designer: Obv: Frank Gasparo; Rev: Dennis Williams

The proof version of the Bicentennial dollar was made using a unique minting process that produced a superior quality finish and was targeted towards collectors. This version also has thick lettering included in the 1975 Proof Sets. It is also evident on all 40% Silver Proof 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars and 40% Silver Uncirculated 1976-S Eisenhower Dollars.

A 1976 40% silver proof dollar sold for a record price of $6,900 in 2008. The coin was graded PR70DCAM by the Professional Coin Grading Service.

Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars Worth Money

1976 Silver Dollar History

Also known as the Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar, or Ike dollar, minted from 1971 to 1978 and designed by Frank Gasparro. Although minted in 1975, the coins featured the date 1976. It was the first dollar coin minted during the copper-nickel-clad era, and the last regularly issued dollar coin with dimensions similar to traditional silver dollars.

Most Eisenhower Dollars are made from copper-nickel clad, but some uncirculated pieces were minted in a 40% silver format. In 1975 and 1976, the Eisenhower dollars honored the nation’s bicentennial with a special design featuring the Liberty Bell and the surface of the moon.

The design was replaced in 1977 with the Apollo 11 insignia to honor the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon mission and the former President and war hero Dwight Eisenhower. The US Mint planned to start producing a new dollar in 1969. Frank Gasparro was tasked with creating a design that commemorated both events.

Before that, the Mint stopped producing silver dollar coins for circulation after 1935, but in 1964, the Denver Mint was authorized to strike Peace Dollars. However, none were released to the public. The legislation was being worked on to remove silver from coins due to a shortage. In 1965, President Johnson approved the Coinage Act, which removed silver from circulating coins.

In 1970, President Nixon signed the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments, which authorized the Eisenhower Dollar Coin. Interestingly, the act also approved the sale of 2.8 million Morgan Dollars.

The Eisenhower dollar was a one-dollar coin produced by the US Mint from 1971 to 1978. Republicans and Democrats disagreed on what material to use for a coin. Some wanted silver, while others wanted base metal. They eventually made a deal to create a currency in a combination of copper and nickel, which would be used by the public. They also agreed to develop a version of the coin using 40% silver, which would be sold to collectors for a little more money.

In 1975 and 1976, the coin was struck with the date 1776-1976 to celebrate the 200th Bicentennial anniversary of the United States. Two types were minted, Type l (high grades/ low relief) with bold lettering and Type ll (better quality strikes/ sharp designs) with thin, delicate lettering.

The Eisenhower dollar was used in Nevada casinos instead of tokens. People like to collect them now because they were made in limited numbers and have different versions. Many of the coins were melted down because they had valuable silver in them. This makes the ones that didn’t get melted down very rare and valuable. Some of them are sold at auctions for thousands of dollars. It’s funny that a simple coin used in casinos can become so special!

1976 Silver Dollar Grading

Coin grading is a way to check how good a coin looks. If a coin looks perfect, it gets the top grade of 70. If it has minor scratches or problems, it might get a lower grade, like “uncirculated.” If it looks really worn down, it might get a lower grade, like “good” or “fair.” The lowest grade is “poor.” No matter the quality, every coin is still cool and unique.

For more details about the 1976 Silver Dollar, check out the JBCOINSINC YouTube video and see what each 1976 silver dollar type looks like and their actual prices in the marketplace.

Lists of 1976 Silver Dollar Error

1. 1976 Silver Dollar Quarter-dollar Planchet Indented (Reverse side) Error

 

A coin with a reverse indented by a quarter-dollar planchet is an error 1976 Silver Dollar that occurs during minting. Collectors find these odd coins most appealing and valuable, with one such piece selling for nearly $2,000. This error happened when a Washington quarter dollar planchet was mixed with the one intended for the Eisenhower dollar.

2. 1976 Silver Dollar Thick-Letter Die (Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar – Type 1) Error

Worth: $1.50 to $3400

The United States Mint began producing Bicentennial Eisenhower dollars in 1975 due to high anticipated demand. This resulted in no Eisenhower dollars dated 1975. The original reverse die had thick letters, but the mint had problems correctly striking the coins, so they reworked the die. The revised die can be identified by the squared ends of the horizontal bar in the “T” of STATES.

3. 1976 Silver Dollar Slanted Ends (Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar – Type 2) Error

Worth: $1.05 to $2500

The US Mint created a new reverse die for Bicentennial dollars in 1976 with thin letters and enhanced details. The Type 2 coins can be identified by the slanted ends of the horizontal bar in the “T” in STATES, but they don’t carry a numismatic premium and can be purchased for around five dollars from a coin dealer.

4. 1976 Silver Dollar No S Mint Mark Error

There is only one Ike silver dollar struck without the letter S mint mark, and collectors treat it as the rare one. According to Rarest.org, the origin of this unique silver 1976 (Type II) dollar coin is still being determined, with several theories circulating but no definitive facts established.

The US Mint believed it was created in Philadelphia as a trial version for presentation to management, but the coin ended up in circulation, possibly mistaken for an ordinary coin and used to pay for goods or services by a member of Congress. The coin was later discovered in a Washington DC department store.

Here are more 1976 Silver Dollar errors from the Treasure Town YouTube video. While watching, grab your own 1976 Silver Dollar and see if it has the same errors as the one on the video analysis. Other 1976 Silver Dollar errors you may find are:

• Blank Planchet
• Broad Strikes
• Clipped Planchet
• Doubled Died
• Multiple Strikes
• Off-center Strikes

1976 Silver Dollar FAQs

Q1: How much is a 1976 silver dollar worth?

As of February 2023, a circulated (minor wear with its original mint luster and design details still visible) Eisenhower Dollar from 1776-1976 S is worth between $7.50 to $8.75. On the other hand, an uncirculated (no signs of wear or tear) 1776-1976 S Silver Dollar can sell for as much as $5850 in the open market, as described by the NGC Coin website.

Q2: What makes a 1976 silver dollar rare?

It’s because the coins from 1975 and 1976 bear the commemorative dual dates. The 1976 US dollar coins celebrate the 200th anniversary of the country’s founding with a special design and dual dates of 1776-1976, replacing the usual 1976 Eisenhower dollar.

Q3: How can I tell if my 1976 Eisenhower Dollar is silver?

If you see a solid copper stripe, you may have a clad Eisenhower silver dollar. If you see a solid silver stripe, you may have a 40% silver coin.

Q4: How do you know if silver dollars are valuable?

Two primary methods are used to determine the value of a silver dollar: its melt value, based on the mass of silver within the coin, and its rarity. The melt value can be estimated by considering the value of the precious metal in the coin.

Q5: Which Eisenhower Dollars are 90% silver?

The Eisenhower Centennial Proof Silver Dollar is a rare coin made of 90% silver that displays two portraits of the same person on one side.