The 40% silver uncirculated Eisenhower dollars are often dubbed “Blue Ikes” or “Blue Pack Ikes.” They were protected by heat-sealed plastic packaging and shipped in blue-colored outer paper envelopes. Many 40% silver Eisenhower dollars have been broken out of their original government packaging. The Eisenhower dollar was struck from 1971 through 1978 and was intended for regular commerce. Ultimately it failed to see the light of day as a circulating coin beyond the casinos of Las Vegas. Few people knew back in the 1970s that the Eisenhower dollar would be the last circulating large-size dollar coin in the United States.

Most Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coins aren't rare or valuable. However these coins in uncirculated condition can sell for a premium. Keep reading to learn more about these coins.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States of America. The date range 1953-1961 inscribed on the coin signifies his time in office.

Specifications

Type: Presidential Dollar
Year: 2015
Face Value: $1.00
Composition: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel
Total Weight: 8.1 grams

The US minted the 2015 P Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin, 2015 D Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin, 2015 S proof Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin, and lastly the 2015 P reverse proof Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin. The mint mark can be found on the edge of the coin.

Proof coins are essentially coins that have more detail. They are minted on special planchets and it takes longer to produce them. They are specifically made for collectors so you won't find any in your spare change.

The reverse proof Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin is a special edition coin that has a brilliant mirror-like appearance. You could only buy this coin as part of the 2015 Dwight D. Eisenhower Coin and Chronicles Set. This set also included a silver medal and a 1969 US 6 cent postage stamp.

Value

The 2015 Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coins in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $1.00. These coins only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition.

Both the 2015 P Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin and 2015 D Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin are each worth around $3 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.

The 2015 S proof Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin is worth around $6 in PR 65 condition.

The 2015 P reverse proof Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar coin is worth around $150 in PR 65 condition.

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Grading System

MS 65 gem uncirculated- There is strong luster and eye appeal. A few light contact marks may be present but they are barely noticeable.

PR 65 proof- There are no flaws to this coin. A few blemishes may be present.

Sources:

See also:

Harry S. Truman Dollar Coin
John F. Kennedy Dollar Coin
Lyndon B. Johnson Dollar Coin

After the last Peace Dollar was struck in 1935, it would be close to 40 years before the next one dollar coin would be issued by the United States Mint. Then, in 1971, the Eisenhower dollar was struck and issued between November 1st 1971 and 1978.

Frank Gasparro, the Chief Engraver at the US Mint, was the designer of this dollar coin. Featured on the obverse sign of the coin is the profile of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a General and President that had passed away in 1969. Inscriptions on the obverse read Liberty, the date and In God We Trust. On the reverse side is a bald eagle holding an olive branch in its talons and landing on the moon's surface, inspired by the Apollo 11 mission insignia. The inscriptions read United States of America and One Dollar.

Eisenhower Dollar Mint Mark Location

At the time, there had been a rise in bullion prices that dated back to 1965, and so instead of silver, coins were being struck using a copper-nickel clad composition. The Eisenhower Dollars for circulation are struck using the copper-nickel base. The outer layer of the coin had 25% nickel and 75% copper. The inner layer contained a core that was pure copper. The final composition of the coin was 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper. Following a lengthy debate by legislators, some collectible coins were struck using 60% copper and 40% silver for the core, and 80% silver with 20% copper for the outer layer.

Eisenhower Dollar 1971 -1978

Today, the Eisenhower Dollar continues to be a popular collectible with bullion aficionados. This is due to the range of compositions and conditional rarities within the entire series, which add to the difficulty of completing a collection.

Notable Mentions

There are some things worth noting regarding this one dollar series. To begin with, there are no Eisenhower Dollars dated 1975. Instead, the coins that were minted in this and the subsequent year bear the dates 1776-1976.

For the celebration of the bicentennial of the American Revolution, the reverse design was also changed, and featured the Liberty Bell in front of an image of the moon. This reverse design was done by Dennis R. Williams.

The circulation of this coin was limited, with most of the issued coins being used in Las Vegas Casinos.

Coin Values Today

The intrinsic value of the Eisenhower Dollar today is dependent on the value of silver. There are various versions that you can find to add to your collection, including uncirculated variety and proof versions. These are the ones that have 40% silver. Should you want to have a rare Eisenhower Dollar that has premium value in your collection, look for one which is High Grade, without contact marks of imperfections.

Eisenhower Dollar Values

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* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.

Eisenhower Dollar Mintage

All US Dollar Coins

Eisenhower Dollar 1976

• *list does not count the newer Presidential Dollars