The Forgotten Silver Eisenhower Silver Dollars
Over the past year you’ve heard us speak on the “Secret or Forgotten” 40% Silver Eisenhowers, struck at the San Francisco Mint, released between 1971 and 1974. Now 30 years later most didn’t know they existed (the Secret). There was a 5th 40% Silver Eisenhower ... and it’s time to add it to the mix.
The 1976 Bicentennial Silver Eisenhower Silver Dollars
For our Bicentennial Celebration (1975 & 1976) the US Mint released special designs on the Washington Quarter, Kennedy Half Dollar, and Eisenhower Dollar. Occasionally you may see one of these in circulation. They created a San Francisco Mint Proof as well and released it in our yearly proof sets. The coin(s) most forget is the “other” San Francisco Mint issues - the 40% Silvers, released in Uncirculated and Proof Condition.
The Key coin of the Year
Two issues are at play here: the Eisenhower Dollar, being the largest coin in circulation, was the one with the lower mintage figures. It’s the same most years - cents with the highest mintage (lowest denomination) and the Half Dollar/Dollar the lowest mintage (highest denomination). During the two years of production (1975 – 1976) the US Mint produced in excess of 220 million coins for circulation, but only 15 million silvers - almost a 15 to 1 ratio. Then remember in 1979-1981 when silver hit $50 an ounce .. and what was the last silver coin issued by the Mint? The one most likely melted by anyone who had them around !!
Special Designs – Another First
If you recall the Eisenhower Dollar was released in 1971 with a joint design, honoring both General President Eisenhower and the first landing of man on the moon. Eisenhower on the obverse with an Eagle on the moon’s surface, with the earth in the back ground the reverse. For the Bicentennial the US Mint adopted a new design. The obverse was modified to include the dates 1776-1976 (the first dual dated coin in US History) and the reverse, the Liberty Bell superimposed over the moon. In 1977 the US Mint went back to the original designs.
This is the 1976 Silver Proof Eisenhower Dollar in a capsule and protective black pouch.
