How Much Is a 1972 Eisenhower Silver Dollar Worth?
How Much Is a 1972 Eisenhower Silver Dollar Worth?
Complete value guide for 1972 Eisenhower dollars including silver and clad varieties, identification tips, and current market prices
Introduction
The US Mint made more than 170 million Eisenhower dollars in 1972. Only around two million of them were silver, with the rest being copper-nickel clad. Even though copper-nickel clad 1972 dollars don't contain silver, some are still worth significant money due to their numismatic value.
1972 Production Overview
Total Production: Over 170 million coins
Silver Coins: Approximately 2 million
Clad Coins: Over 168 million
Silver Content: 40% Silver for S-mint varieties only
Understanding the different varieties and their values is crucial for collectors and investors interested in both the precious metal content and numismatic premiums. While the silver versions command higher prices due to their silver content, some clad varieties are also valuable to collectors.
Table of Contents
The Six Types of 1972 Dollars
The United States Mint produced four distinct types of copper-nickel clad 1972 dollars, as well as two in 40% silver. Here's a detailed breakdown of the six types of 1972 dollars:
Copper-Nickel Clad Varieties
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 1
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 2
- 1972 Copper-Nickel Clad, Variety 3
- 1972-D Copper-Nickel Clad
Silver Varieties
- 1972-S 40% Silver Clad
- 1972-S 40% Silver Clad Proof
Important Note
There are no 1972-S copper-nickel clad proofs. Dollars were not included in proof sets until 1973, making the 1972-S varieties exclusively silver and specifically produced for collectors.
Special Collector Packaging
Both types of 1972-S Eisenhower silver dollars were packaged individually for sale to collectors:
- "Brown Ikes" or "Brown Pack Ikes": 40% silver proof Eisenhower dollars in brown-colored faux wood grain cardboard boxes
- "Blue Ikes" or "Blue Pack Ikes": 40% silver uncirculated Eisenhower dollars in heat-sealed plastic packaging with blue-colored outer paper envelopes
Many 40% silver Eisenhower dollars have been broken out of their original government packaging. Some were placed in albums, while others have been graded by coin grading services. Even so, enough silver 1972 Eisenhowers remain in their packaging to meet current demand.
The Three Philadelphia Clad Varieties
What makes the three 1972 Eisenhower dollar varieties different from each other? The three differences are all found on the coin's reverse. The reverse design, by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, incorporates the Apollo 11 insignia.
You'll note that the planet Earth is visible in the design above the eagle's head and right wing. You'll further see geographical details of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The accuracy—or relative lack thereof—in the appearance of Florida and the Caribbean islands is what sets the three types apart.
Type 1 - Common Variety
The island of Cuba, seen below a stumpy peninsula of Florida, appears as a tear-drop blob rather than the crescent-shaped peninsula that it is. Another notable diagnostic of the Type 1 is the coin's overall strike, which is rather soft and results in a low-relief appearance.
Type 2 - Scarce Variety
The Type 2 is the scarcest of the three copper-nickel 1972 Ike dollar varieties. It shows Florida appearing more like a triangular funnel, while the Caribbean islands are faint in appearance. Perhaps only 1 in 32 of the 1972 Philadelphia-minted Ikes can be attributed as a Type 2.
Type 3 - Most Accurate Geography
This is the most geographically correct design of the three, showing Florida with more coastal detail on its west side. Cuba appears truer to form as a crescent-shaped island, and the islands of Hispaniola and Jamaica to the east and south of Cuba are more distinct.
Rarity Assessment
All 1972 Philadelphia-strike Eisenhower dollars will fall into one of these three varieties. The Type 1 and Type 3 prove to be the most common, and the Type 2 is remarkably scarce. This scarcity makes Type 2 varieties particularly valuable to collectors.
How to Identify Silver vs Clad
Values range from anywhere between a few cents over face value to thousands of dollars. You're going to need to know what type of 1972 Eisenhower dollar you have, as well as if it is a 40% silver Eisenhower dollar or copper-nickel clad one.
Simple Silver Identification
All 1972 40% silver Ikes have an "S" mintmark just below Eisenhower's neck on the obverse. Suppose your Eisenhower dollar has either a "D" mintmark or no mintmark. In that case, your 1972 Ike dollar is not silver.
Key Rule: In the case of 1972 Eisenhower dollars, it's quite simple—no "S" mintmark, no silver!
Silver Varieties (S-Mint)
- 1972-S 40% Silver Uncirculated
- 1972-S 40% Silver Proof
- Contains actual silver value
- Popular with precious metals investors
Clad Varieties (No Silver)
- 1972 Philadelphia (3 varieties)
- 1972-D Denver
- Copper-nickel composition
- Value based on numismatic rarity
No further testing or inspection of the coin by a coin dealer or bullion expert is necessary once you've identified the mintmark. The mintmark location makes identification straightforward and reliable.
Proof vs Uncirculated Differences
Next is determining whether your 1972-S dollar has a proof or uncirculated finish. In the case of a 1972-S 40% silver Eisenhower dollar, this will have little bearing on the coin's value in most cases. But it's still important to know whether you have a proof or business strike.
Proof Characteristics
- Mirror-like surface with deep reflectivity
- Much stronger and distinct details
- Cameo contrast between devices and fields
- Packaged in brown cardboard boxes
Uncirculated Characteristics
- Satiny appearance with even luster
- Business strike production methods
- Less dramatic field/device contrast
- Packaged in blue envelopes
Visual Distinction
Proofs boast a mirror-like surface, whereas business strikes have a satiny appearance. This is the primary aesthetic difference between proof and uncirculated 1972-S Ikes. However, the details of a proof Eisenhower dollar are much stronger and distinct than on an uncirculated strike.
Current Market Values
The 1972 Eisenhower dollar values show that even circulated versions of the 1972 Type 2 clad dollar are worth looking for and saving. Contrary to the widely held notion that worn clad coins are worthless, this isn't true in all cases—especially for errors and varieties.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value Ranges
Values are for problem-free coins that serve as typical representatives for their grade.
Clad Varieties
- 1972 Type 1: Face value to $3
- 1972 Type 2: $25 to $200+
- 1972 Type 3: Face value to $5
- 1972-D: Face value to $3
Silver Varieties
- 1972-S Silver Uncirculated: $15 to $25
- 1972-S Silver Proof: $15 to $30
- Base value tied to current silver prices
- Additional premiums for exceptional condition
Value Disclaimer
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Values can fluctuate based on market conditions, coin condition, and collector demand.
Still, the silver Ikes are the ones that hold the most value across the board. 40% silver Eisenhower dollars have long been popular with silver stackers and other types of bullion investors seeking exposure to precious metals at affordable entry points.
Investment Considerations
1972 Eisenhower dollars offer multiple investment angles for different types of collectors and precious metals investors:
Silver Content Play
The 1972-S silver varieties provide 40% silver content exposure at relatively affordable prices. Track current silver prices to understand base metal value.
Numismatic Collecting
The Type 2 Philadelphia variety offers significant collecting potential due to its scarcity. Only 1 in 32 coins showing this variety creates genuine rarity.
Historical Significance
As the first large-size dollar coin since 1935, Eisenhower dollars represent an important transition in American coinage history and Apollo space program commemoration.
Portfolio Diversification
Consider complementing Eisenhower dollars with other silver investments or gold holdings for comprehensive precious metals exposure.
Collector Strategy
For collectors and investors, focus on the silver S-mint varieties for precious metal content, while keeping an eye out for the scarce Type 2 Philadelphia variety. Both approaches offer different but valid investment rationales in the current market.
Whether you're interested in the silver content, historical significance, or numismatic rarity, 1972 Eisenhower dollars provide multiple pathways for building value in a precious metals or coin collection. Understanding the varieties and their respective markets helps ensure informed investment decisions.