1974 Ike Dollar Value: Guide to Identification and Pricing

The 1974 Ike dollar is a popular coin among collectors, and its value can vary depending on its condition and rarity.

The 1974 Ike dollar was minted in large quantities, with over 44 million coins produced, making it a relatively common coin.

In good condition, a 1974 Ike dollar can sell for around $1 to $3, depending on the grade and the buyer.

If your 1974 Ike dollar is in mint condition, with no wear or damage, it can be worth significantly more, up to $10 or more.

A 1974 Eisenhower Silver Dollar without a mint mark can sell for as much as $18,000 at an auction.

These coins are highly sought after, with an uncirculated and unmarked coin currently listed on eBay for $7,295.00.

A proof San Francisco-minted silver dollar is going for $3,750 on eBay, while a Denver-minted coin is priced at $3,975.

The market for these coins is clearly buzzing, with prices ranging from $3,750 to $18,000.

The 1974 Ike dollar is a unique coin with a rich history. It was designed by US Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro and features a portrait of President Dwight Eisenhower on the front, making him the first US president to appear on a circulating dollar coin.

The coin was minted in San Francisco from 1971 to 1974, and it's the first circulating silver dollar since 1935. The San Francisco-minted coins were made with 40% silver, while other mints produced coins with a combination of nickel and copper called clad.

The two types of 1974 silver dollar coins containing 40% silver are called "brown Ikes" and "blue Ikes." The main difference between them is their packaging and quality.

The obverse of the 1974 Eisenhower dollar features a left-facing portrait of President Dwight Eisenhower prominently on the coin.

The word LIBERTY appears at the top around the coin's inner rim.

The date, 1974, is inscribed along the lower rim.

A mint mark, S, is placed below the bust in all pieces minted in San Francisco.

The required motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is inscribed in two lines on the left toward the bottom of the coin.

The mint mark beneath Eisenhower's truncated neck is a distinctive feature of the obverse design.

Here are the key features of the obverse design:

The reverse of the 1974 Eisenhower dollar features the Earth and the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the thirteen stars surround the composition.

The reverse design is framed by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination struck along the edge.

The coin's reverse is a round shape, with a coin thickness of 0.10158 inches (2.58 mm).

The Eisenhower Dollar was minted from 1971 through 1978. It was designed by Frank Gasparro to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the first moon landing in 1969.

The coin's obverse features a portrait bust of the late president facing right. The reverse is an adaptation of the official Apollo 11 mission insignia.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed a bill authorizing the U.S. Mint to strike a new dollar coin. This bill would lead to the creation of the Eisenhower Dollar.

The House of Representatives initially opposed the minting of a silver dollar due to a looming silver shortage crisis. However, the Senate and Nixon's administration supported the idea of a silver coin to honor Eisenhower.

A compromise was reached to strike about 150 million Eisenhower dollars in base metal for circulation, with a few others in 40% silver for collectors. The 40% silver coins were best-sellers.

The circulating base metal dollars were unpopular and were eventually discontinued in 1978, after a short 7-year run.

The 1974 silver dollar coin is a unique piece of history, featuring a portrait of President Dwight Eisenhower on the front. This coin was the first circulating dollar coin to feature a US president.

The back of the coin sports Frank Gasparro's depiction of the Apollo 11 insignia, with a bald eagle landing on the moon while clutching an olive branch. This design element gives the coin a distinctive and memorable look.

There are two types of Eisenhower Silver Dollar coins containing 40 percent silver: "brown Ikes" and "blue Ikes." The main difference between these two coins is their packaging and quality.

Here are the key differences between brown Ikes and blue Ikes:

The 1974 silver dollar coin has a unique composition, with an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper, and a center made of 79% copper and 21% silver. This composition gives the coin its distinctive look and feel.

The coin measures 38.50 millimeters in diameter and weighs 24.60 grams, making it a large and heavy coin. The reeded edge of the coin adds to its bulkiness.

The first circulating dollar coin to feature an American President's portrait was the 1971 Eisenhower dollar, which was designed by US Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro.

President Dwight Eisenhower was the first US President to appear on a circulating dollar coin, and the Eisenhower dollar was the first circulating silver dollar since 1935.

The Eisenhower dollar was manufactured between 1971 and 1978, with a series of San Francisco-minted 40 percent silver coins being made until 1974.

There were two types of Eisenhower Silver Dollar coins containing 40 percent silver, called "brown Ikes" and "blue Ikes." Brown Ikes were individually packaged in brown boxes with a golden eagle seal and were initially sold for $10 per coin, while blue Ikes were wrapped in cellophane and packaging in a blue outer envelope.

Here's a breakdown of the 1974 Eisenhower dollar mintage:

The 1974 silver dollar coins produced outside of San Francisco were made with a combination of nickel and copper called clad, but surprisingly, these coins become just as valuable as the San Francisco-minted versions when they have manufacturing errors.

There are two main types of 1974 Ike dollar coins: clad and silver. The clad coins are made of a layer of copper and nickel, while the silver coins are made of 40% silver.

The value of these coins varies greatly depending on their condition and composition. For example, a PR 70 clad 1974 S Ike dollar can sell for up to $5,000.

Here's a breakdown of the prices for 1974 S clad and silver DCAM dollars in different conditions:

The No Clad Eisenhower dollar is a fascinating coin to collect, especially for those who value its unique characteristics. The Philadelphia mint produced 27,366,000 clad dollars in 1974, making it the second-highest mintage that year.

These coins are often found in mint state, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $240. However, the real gems with an MS 67 rating can reach $8,000 to $9,200 at auctions. The most pricey clad Ike dollar struck in this mint is one in an MS 65 grade after one collector paid $14,100 to get it in 2014.

You can find numerous pieces in the mint state for $2.50 to $240, but the real value lies in the coins with higher grades. Here's a breakdown of the prices for No Clad Eisenhower dollars in various grades:

Keep in mind that these prices can vary depending on the auction and the collector's willingness to pay.

Mint Marks are a fascinating aspect of coin collecting. The United States Mint produced Eisenhower Dollars at three different mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

The Philadelphia mint produced coins without a mint mark. This makes it a bit tricky to identify coins from this mint.

Denver mint coins have a "D" mint mark, which is located on the obverse of the coin. You can find it just below the truncation of President Eisenhower's portrait and just above the date.

San Francisco mint coins have an "S" mint mark, also located on the obverse of the coin. It's positioned in the same spot as the "D" mint mark on Denver coins.