The 1971 Ike dollar is a fascinating coin with a rich history. It was the first dollar coin to feature the likeness of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The coin was minted in large quantities, with over 1.4 billion coins produced in 1971 alone. This was a significant increase from previous years, indicating its popularity.
One of the key factors that contributed to the coin's value is its condition. Coins in good condition, with minimal wear and tear, can fetch a higher price than those that are worn down.
The coin's metal composition also plays a role in determining its value. The 1971 Ike dollar is made of a copper-nickel clad composition, which is less valuable than some other metals used in coins.
Take a look at this: Gold Coin Value Chart
Eisenhower Dollar Value
The 1971 Eisenhower dollar coin is worth a wide range of prices, from $1 for a beat-up circulated example to potentially $10,000 to $20,000 for virtually flawless examples in the Superb Gem grade of MS67.
Creating a Cu-Ni Eisenhower Dollar proved to be quite a technical challenge, and as a result, coins struck at Denver have a sharper, cleaner look. Coins struck at Philadelphia, on the other hand, appear dull and have residual annealing chatter marks on the high points of the relief.
Uncirculated examples of the 1971 (P) issue are worth slightly more than issues struck in 1974 forward, and true Gems with great eye appeal can sell for many times more.
1971-D Clad Value
The 1971-D Clad Dollar is a type of Eisenhower dollar coin, and its value is determined by its condition. If you have a worn 1971-D dollar, it's worth about $1.
These coins were made from copper-nickel clad, which isn't truly silver, but still has value. A typical uncirculated 1971-D dollar can fetch $5 to $10.
The most valuable 1971-D dollar coin was graded MS68 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, and it sold for $8,225 in 2020.
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Uncirculated Silver Value
The 1971-S uncirculated silver dollar is a highly sought-after coin among collectors, with a 40% silver composition that's valued by both collectors and investors.
A total of 6,868,530 of these coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint, and they contain an "S" mintmark.
These coins were sold to collectors in special packaging, which is why they're often called "Blue Pack" Ikes.
A typical 1971-S uncirculated silver dollar trades for $9 to $15.
The most valuable one was graded MS68 by Professional Coin Grading Service and realized $6,900 in a 2012 auction.
Eisenhower Dollar Details
The 1971 Eisenhower Dollar is a coin with a wide range of values, from $1 for a beat-up circulated example to potentially $10,000 to $20,000 for virtually flawless examples in the Superb Gem grade of MS67.
Coins struck at the Denver Mint have a sharper, cleaner look, while those from the Philadelphia Mint appear dull and have residual annealing chatter marks on the high points of the relief.
The 1971 (P) issue is worth slightly more than issues struck in 1974 forward because uncirculated examples were originally saved from circulation, making them harder to find in Mint State.
On a similar theme: 1970 Quarter No Mint Mark Value
1971 Clad No Mintmark
The 1971 Clad No Mintmark is a coin that's easy to spot because it doesn't have any mintmark. It was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
This coin was produced in massive quantities, with 47,799,000 pieces minted. It's a base-metal coin with a copper-nickel clad composition.
The Eisenhower dollar coins, including the 1971 Clad No Mintmark, are quite large, measuring 38.1 millimeters in diameter. They're even wider than the classic silver dollars of the past.
Circulated specimens of the 1971 Clad No Mintmark are worth about $1.
1971-S Proof Silver
The 1971-S Proof Silver dollar is a highly sought-after collectible coin. A total of 4,265,234 of these proofs were struck at the San Francisco Mint.
These coins were sold to collectors in large plastic display cases shipped in brown, simulated woodgrain cardboard boxes, earning them the nickname "Brown Pack" Ikes.
Most 1971-S proof silver dollars fetch $9 to $15 each, making them a relatively affordable addition to any coin collection.
The record price for a 1971-S proof silver dollar goes to a specimen graded by Professional Coin Grading Service PR70DCAM, which sold for $13,800 in 2007.
Eisenhower Design
The Eisenhower dollar design is a remarkable tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. Frank Gasparro's portrait of Eisenhower is a masterpiece, featuring the President facing to the left with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST beneath his chin.
The reverse of the coin is based on the Apollo 11 Mission Patch design, created by Michael Collins and artist James Cooper. This design features a bald eagle in descent, holding an olive branch in its talons.
The eagle's left wing is raised, and the lunar surface lies below. Above the eagle's head is a depiction of the Earth, with North America prominently visible.
The denomination ONE DOLLAR wraps around the bottom of the design, adjacent to the rim. The edge of the 1971 Philadelphia Eisenhower Dollar is reeded.
Here's a breakdown of the key elements on the reverse of the coin:
- Bald eagle in descent
- Olive branch in the eagle's talons
- Left wing raised
- Lunar surface below
- Depiction of the Earth above the eagle's head
- Denomination ONE DOLLAR
- Reeded edge
Grading and Errors
To determine the true value of your 1971 Ike dollar, you first need to know what condition (or grade) your coin is in. Grab a coin magnifier and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book.
Grading your coin at home is possible with the right tools and a bit of practice. Watch a video to see how to grade coins yourself at home.
A coin's grade can greatly impact its value, so it's essential to get it right. The grade of your coin will determine its true value, so don't skip this step.
What Is Your Grade?
To determine the value of your coin, you need to know its grade. The grade of a coin is a measure of its condition, which is determined by its wear and tear, and any errors that may be present.
Grab a coin magnifier and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book to help you assess your coin's grade.
Error to Look For
If you're on the hunt for a unique coin, look for the 1971-D Friendly Eagle dollar. This error variety occurred when the brow line over the eagle's steely eyes was obliterated on an aging modified die.
The Friendly Eagle variety has some distinct diagnostics to look for. A rounder planet Earth on the reverse is one of them. This is a key characteristic that sets it apart from regular 1971-D Eisenhower dollars.
Caribbean islands that appear to form a chain are another diagnostic to look for. You might also notice a broader Gulf of Mexico with a rounded northern Gulf shoreline.
Two debris flow lines within the Moon crater, visible between the letters "N" and "E" in the word "ONE", are also a distinguishing feature of the Friendly Eagle variety.
Here are the diagnostics to look for in one place:
- A rounder planet Earth on the reverse
- Caribbean islands forming a chain
- A broader Gulf of Mexico with a rounded northern Gulf shoreline
- Two debris flow lines within the Moon crater
Eisenhower Dollar Facts
The Eisenhower dollar is a unique coin in numismatic history, marking the first time a dollar coin was officially struck and released for circulation since 1935. The coin pays tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States.
The Eisenhower dollar was designed by Frank Gasparro, who also designed the Lincoln Memorial motif on the penny. The Apollo 11 insignia, designed by astronaut Michael Collins and artist James Cooper, is featured on the reverse of the coin.
If you have a 1971 Eisenhower dollar, you might be wondering what it's made of. The fact is, relatively few of these coins contain actual silver. All 1971 dollar coins produced for circulation were made from copper-nickel clad planchets.
Here's how to tell if your 1971 Eisenhower dollar is made of silver or copper-nickel clad:
The "S" mintmark is a key indicator that your 1971 Eisenhower dollar is a 40% silver dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a 1971 Eisenhower dollar rare?
A 1971 Eisenhower dollar can be rare due to lower mintage quantities, such as the silver uncirculated coins. This rarity can make them more valuable among collectors.
How can I tell if my 1971 Eisenhower dollar is silver?
Check for a silver or copper stripe on the coin's surface or edge to determine if your 1971 Eisenhower dollar is silver. A silver stripe is a strong indicator of a 40% silver or silver clad coin
How much silver is in a 1971 S Ike dollar?
There is no silver in a 1971 S Ike dollar, as it was the only large-size U.S. dollar coin without silver in its circulation strikes.
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