Although it was only minted from 1971 through 1978, the Eisenhower dollar is still out there in circulation. If you have one in a coin jar or collection, you might have something worth more than a dollar. There are a bunch of factors that can affect Eisenhower dollar values, so it's good to get to know some of the most valuable coins in this design and how to spot one that's a treasure.
Eisenhower Dollar Value Chart and Six Valuable Ikes
Even though it wasn't made for that long, the Ike dollar has more than its share of minting errors and oddities that can add to the value. You can see this in some of the most valuable Eisenhower dollars listed here.
| Eisenhower Dollar | Value |
|---|---|
| 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype | $264,000 |
| 1971-S Eisenhower dollar struck on San Francisco Assay Office medal | $40,800 |
| 1973-S Eisenhower dollar with indent from copper planchet (set) | $40,250 |
| 1977-D Eisenhower dollar obverse die cap | $29,900 |
| 1977-D Eisenhower dollar on silver planchet | $26,400 |
| 1977-S Eisenhower dollar struck off center | $26,400 |
1971-S Eisenhower Dollar Prototype
Although it was never a coin intended for circulation, the 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype is one of the most valuable silver dollars to exist. There are only three known, and they were not discovered until 2008. The prototype, which was used by the mint to refine and test the design for the dollar, is also one of the only Eisenhower silver dollars that contains any silver.
There are a few theories about how this prototype came to exist and be in collectors' hands. One of our favorites is that the coins were struck in a public ceremony the first day the mint began making the Eisenhower dollar. One of these rare coins in pristine condition sold for $264,000 in 2022.
Although many people call it a "silver dollar," most Eisenhower dollars don't contain any silver. A few commemorative Eisenhower silver dollars do exist, though, and they tend to be worth a lot.
1971-S Eisenhower Dollar Struck on San Francisco Assay Office Medal
This is another weird one. Apparently, someone fed a copper-toned San Francisco Assay Office medal into the minting equipment during the initial strikes of the Eisenhower dollar. The result is a super rare (only one known example) mixed coin with the Assay Office medal underneath Ike's profile on the coin. It sold in 2022 for $40,800.
Related: 10 Valuable Error Coins Proving That Weirdness Is Worth a Lot
1973-S Eisenhower Dollar With Indent From Copper Planchet (Set)
When it comes to minting errors, this one takes the prize. It's actually a two-piece set. A copper planchet somehow got stacked on top of the planchet for the dollar, resulting in Ike's face on the copper planchet and a missing section on the dollar where the planchet was resting. Together, the set fetched $40,250 at auction in 2008.
A planchet is a coin blank that's the size and metal composition for the coin that will be minted. They start out as plain discs and end up as the coins. Mixing up the planchets or using planchets from a different year when the metal composition was different can result in some funky error coins.
1977-D Eisenhower Dollar Obverse Die Cap
Another spectacular minting mistake, this weird coin isn't one you'd mix up with your normal change. It has a "bottle cap" effect where the edges are turned up. Apparently, an Eisenhower dollar got stuck to the die in the machine and continued to be struck against the coins that were fed through after it. The repeated strikes caused the edges to curl up dramatically. This type of error is super rare and valuable with this coin selling for $29,900 in 2006.
Related: 9 Most Valuable Silver Dollars That Could Be Worth Millions
1977-D Eisenhower Dollar on Silver Planchet
Since most Ike dollars aren't really silver at all, those that do contain silver are extremely valuable. There were a few struck in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial, but they were not supposed to be made in 1977. About 15 silver planchets accidentally made their way into the system in 1977 at the Denver Mint, and the result is a very rare coin. One sold for $26,400 in 2023.
How can you tell if an Eisenhower dollar is silver? Turns out, it's all about the weight. An Ike dollar made from 40% silver weighs about 24.5 grams, while the standard Ike weighs in at 22.7 grams.
1977-S Eisenhower Dollar Struck Off Center
At the San Francisco Mint in 1977, another strange error happened. An Eisenhower dollar was struck way off center (30%), so that only part of the coin's design shows on the planchet. This unusual error is very valuable, selling for $26,400 in 2021.
What Is a 1776-1976 Eisenhower Dollar Worth?
A special edition of the Eisenhower dollar was issued to celebrate the bicentennial celebration of the United States in 1976. These coins, which were struck in 1975 and 1976, feature the year range "1776-1976" on the front under Ike's portrait. Some of these bicentennial silver dollars were struck on silver, and these are worth more than the average Ike.
The Eisenhower dollar from 1976 ranges in value from as little as $1.05 for a circulated coin in rough shape to as much as $7,500 for a totally uncirculated Eisenhower silver dollar in pristine condition.
Related: How to Spot Rare $1 Bills & Five Worth Hunting Down
Tips to Spot a Valuable Ike Dollar
All Eisenhower dollars are worth at least a dollar, but clearly, some are worth way more. Spotting a valuable one comes down to looking for a few clues.
- Weight - If your Eisenhower dollar is heavier than normal, it could be made of silver. If it is, it's worth more.
- Weirdness - Anything odd is worth checking out. Minting errors add to the value of many coins, including Ikes. Look for mistakes in the strike, colors that seem off, and anything else out of the ordinary.
- Condition - In rough circulated condition, Eisenhower dollars aren't worth as much. However, if the dollar doesn't look like it's seen real use, it could be worth a lot more.
Related: 7 Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollars & Coin Collecting Tips
Grab Your Magnifying Glass to Check Your Eisenhower Dollars
Even though they weren't made for that many years, Eisenhower dollars offer a lot of collecting potential. There are weird minting mistakes, some Ikes that are real silver, and a few coins that are in amazing condition. If you've got some lying around, it's definitely worth taking out the magnifying glass to look them over.
