1976 Silver Dollar

Type: Kennedy Half Dollar Year: 1976 Mint Mark: No mint mark Face Value: 0.50 USD Total Produced: 234,308,000 Silver Content: 0% Numismatic Value: 50 cents to $2.50 Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around 50 cents, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $3 at auction. This coin is amazing and the story and history is even more amazing!MORE INFO AND LINKS BELOW HERE.OUR WEBSITE: TO HEL. Military Agency Records. Researchers may find useful Henry Stimson, On Active Service in Peace and War (New York: Harper, 1948); William D. Leahy, I Was There: The Personal Story of the Chief of Staff to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman Based on His Notes and Diaries Made at the Time (New York: Whittlesley House, 1950); Ernest J. King, Fleet Admiral King: A Naval Record (New York: W. The 1976 Bicentennial Eisenhower Silver Dollars were released only as part of a three-coin set which included 1976 versions of the quarter, half dollar, and dollar. Clad versions of the coin continued to be struck by the U.S. Mint through 1978. The Eisenhower’s were then replaced with smaller Susan B. Anthony Dollars beginning in 1979. The 1976-S Silver Eisenhower dollar celebrates the bicentennial year and does contain 40% silver. The silver Eisenhower dollars are few and far between, obviously making them a top priority for collectors.

The 1976 Eisenhower Dollar (Buy on eBay) featured a new reverse design issued to celebrate bicentennial of the American Revolution. The redesign of the denomination was authorized by Congress, along with the requirement that coins issued between July 4, 1975 and January 1, 1977 should carry the date “1776-1976” rather than the date of mintage.

A national contest was held to solicit Bicentennial coinage designs from the public. There were 884 entries received with bicentennial designs for the dollar, half dollar, and quarter. The winning entry for the Eisenhower Dollar was submitted by Dennis R. Williams, who at the time of selection was a 22 year old student majoring in sculpture. He was awarded $5,000 for his design featuring the Liberty Bell extending over the moon.

The 1976 Eisenhower Dollars are found with two distinct varieties, identifiable by the style of lettering on the reverse of the coin. Type 1 coins use bold, block lettering, while Type 2 coins use thinner, more delicate lettering. The first type was produced primarily during 1975 and the second type during 1976. Among circulation strikes, the Type 1 variety is more difficult to find in higher grade, particularly for the Philadelphia issue.

Find images and more information on 1976 Eisenhower Dollar Varieties.

The San Francisco Mint also produced coins featuring the Bicentennial design. Authorization was provided to strike up to 45 million dollar coins in a composition of 40% silver. Proof and uncirculated versions of the Washington Quarter, Kennedy Half Dollar, and Eisenhower Dollar were produced and sold to collectors in 3 coin silver uncirculated or proof sets. Orders were accepted by the US Mint starting November 15, 1974, with shipment beginning after July 4, 1975.

Clad composition proof Eisenhower Dollars were also struck at the San Francisco Mint. These coins were included in the 1975 and 1976 Proof Sets. The former sets contain the Type 1 variety and the latter sets contain the Type 2 variety coins.

1976 Eisenhower Dollar Mintages

  • 1976 Type 1: 4,019,000
  • 1976 Type 2: 21,048,710
  • 1976-D Type 1: 21,048,710
  • 1976-D Type 2: 82,179,564
  • 1976-S Silver: 4,908,319
  • 1976-S Silver Proof: 3,998,621
  • 1976-S Type 1 Clad Proof: 4,149,730
  • 1976-S Type 2 Clad Proof: 4,149,730

Coin Specifications

1976 Silver Dollar
  • Designers: Frank Gasparro (obverse), David R. Williams (reverse)
  • Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (clad), 40% Silver, 60% Copper (silver)
  • Weight: 22.68 grams (clad), 24.59 grams (silver)
  • Diameter: 38.1 mm
  • Edge: Reeded

< 1974 Eisenhower Dollar | 1977 Eisenhower Dollar >

Like Ike? Plenty of coin collectors do! A growing number of numismatists are building sets of Eisenhower dollars.

Read below for a full list of Eisenhower dollar prices.

1976 Silver Dollar

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.

Today, it's become one of the top modern collectible coins, and for good reason. Ike dollars constitute a relatively short series with many unusual varieties to collect.

1976 Silver Dollar

What Are Eisenhower Dollars Worth?

Eisenhower dollars appeal to collectors on a variety of budgets. Many pieces challenge even financially well-heeled collectors. Prices for some key date Ike dollars reach into the thousands of dollars.

Nonetheless, the majority of Eisenhower dollars are much more affordable to obtain. What follows is an Eisenhower dollar price guide. The values reflect examples in MS-63 (uncirculated) and Proof-65 grades.

Eisenhower Dollar Price Chart

DateComposition & FinishPrice
1971Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$4
1971-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1971-S40% Silver Clad Uncirculated$10
1971-S40% Silver Clad Proof$11
1972Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1972-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1972-S40% Silver Clad Uncirculated$10
1972-S40% Silver Clad Proof$11
1973Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$10
1973-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$10
1973-SCopper-Nickel Clad Proof$11
1973-S40% Silver Clad Uncirculated$11
1973-S40% Silver Clad Proof$30
1974Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$4.50
1974-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$4.50
1974-SCopper-Nickel Clad Proof$5
1974-S40% Silver Clad Uncirculated$11
1974-S40% Silver Clad Proof$13
1776–1976Copper-Nickel Clad Variety I (Thick Reverse Letting) Uncirculated$6
1776–1976Copper-Nickel Clad Variety II (Serifed Lettering) Uncirculated$3.50
1776–1976-DCopper-Nickel Clad Variety I Uncirculated$3.50
1776–1976-DCopper-Nickel Clad Variety II Uncirculated$3.50
1776–1976-SCopper-Nickel Clad Variety I Proof$8
1776–1976-SCopper-Nickel Clad Variety II Proof$6
1776–1976-SSilver Clad Variety I Uncirculated$14
1776–1976-SSilver Clad Variety I Proof$17
1977Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1977-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1977-SCopper-Nickel Clad Proof$4
1978Copper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.75
1978-DCopper-Nickel Clad Uncirculated$3.50
1978-SCopper-Nickel Clad Proof$4

All the values listed above represent typical specimens. These have regular surface quality for their respective grades and conditions.

Better pieces command significantly higher premiums than the prices listed above. This is due to the difficulty of locating Eisenhower dollars (mainly clad business strikes) with few marks.

How the Eisenhower Dollar Was Created

United States Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro created the coin's design. The first Eisenhower dollars were struck in 1971.

Cupro-nickel clad versions were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint for circulation. Meanwhile, 40% silver examples were made in San Francisco as proofs for collectors.

Copper-nickel S-mint proofs didn't come around until 1973. This was the first year that regular uncirculated sets and proof sets included the Eisenhower dollar.

In 1975, the U.S. Mint began producing special commemorative circulating Eisenhower dollars honoring the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

These Bicentennial dollars showcase a dual-dating feature declaring 1776–1976 on the obverse. The reverse design by Dennis Williams features the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon.

The standard Eisenhower dollar reverse and obverse dating resumed in 1977. Yet the end was in sight for the coin in 1978.

The public deemed the Eisenhower dollar too large. Americans were unwilling to carry large numbers of the heavy dollar coins during a period of runaway inflation.

40% Silver Eisenhower Dollar

The large dollar coin had failed to circulate well and was thus retired before 1979. This was when the Susan B. Anthony dollar, also designed by Gasparro, entered circulation.

However, the Susan B. Anthony dollar never caught on with the public, either. It was retired shortly after that in 1981. It returned for a one-year stint a general later in 1999 before being put out to numismatic pasture for good.

Collecting Eisenhower Dollars

The vast majority of hobbyists who collect Eisenhower dollars aim to complete a 32-coin set. It consists of all the regular-issue business-strike and proof coins. This includes the 40% silver Ikes dated 1971-S, 1972-S, 1973-S, 1974-S, and 1976-S.

Tricky Ikes: Only a small percentage of the total Eisenhower dollar mintage is 40% silver. Image source: Reddit user rddt1983

Such a set can be completed with coins in typical uncirculated and proof grades for less than $500. That includes the 40% silver key dates mentioned above.

1976 Silver Dollar

Collectors with deeper pockets will add a much more expensive dimension to their Ike dollar objectives. They often pursue each of the regular-issue clad coins in Gem grades. They target proofs that grade Proof-67 or higher. Many will also seek the abundance of scarce varieties known for this series.

Surprisingly, clad business strikes in grades of MS-65 to MS-66 or better are among the most valuable Eisenhower dollars. There are few such Ikes that grade MS-68 or better.

The United States Mint took little care in handling or transporting these large, heavy circulating dollar coins. Understanding this, it becomes clearer why clad Ikes in Gem condition are so tough to locate. Most of the rarest Gem examples trade for more than $1,000 today.

Eisenhower Proofs

Top-end proofs are not nearly as rare as their high-grade clad business-strike counterparts. They are tough to find with full cameo frosting, however. The 40% silver Ikes are among the easiest examples to find in grades of Proof-69 or Proof-70.

Meanwhile, deep cameo contrast is most common on the 1977-S and 1978-S Eisenhower dollars. This originated from a period when deep cameo frosting was becoming more the norm rather than the exception for U.S. proof coinage.

1972 Eisenhower Variety

Image: USA CoinBook

The Eisenhower dollar boasts a wide array of varieties. Those who collect design varieties have plenty to love.

The most popular varieties are found among 1972 Ikes. It showcases at least three different versions of planet Earth on the reverse design.

  • Type I is a relatively low-relief variety showing three islands to the right of Florida.

  • Type II, the scarcest of these three varieties, shows no islands below Florida. (Water lines are in their place instead.)

  • Type III shows three islands below and to the left of Florida.

Clearly, there are some geography issues at hand with these varieties. They keep collectors busy!

1776 1976 Eisenhower Bicentennial Dollars

Several other exciting oddities are out there. This includes various doubled dies and the rare 1974-D and 1977-D 40% silver transitional wrong-metal strikes.

1976 Silver Dollar Value

There are numerous avenues in the Eisenhower dollar series that one can take. So many collectors have devoted their entire numismatic careers just to the Eisenhower dollar.

These modern clad coins offer a multitude of rewarding opportunities for collecting, research, and discovery—enough to satisfy even the most passionate of dedicated collectors for a lifetime!

1976 Silver Dollar Worth

Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.

1976 Silver Dollar Drw

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