1974 Eisenhower Dollar

In 1974, the United States Mint continued offering the uncirculated and proof 40 percent silver Eisenhower dollars that had proved so popular during their first few years of issue. This silver dollar coin, designed by Frank Gasparro, shows a bust of Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse and an eagle clasping an olive branch while landing on the surface of the moon. The coins commemorate the passing of President Eisenhower and the landing of the Apollo XI, both of which occurred in 1969.

There were a little more than 3 million silver Eisenhower dollars struck in 1974, with 1,306,579 uncirculated pieces and 1,900,156 proof specimens, all of which came from the San Francisco mint. Uncirculated pieces are worth around $20 each with proofs worth about $21

1974 Eisenhower silver dollars are widely collected by numismatists who assemble complete date-and-mintmark sets of the dollar coin, though there are many bullion investors who have also purchased 40 percent silver Eisenhower dollars to include in their portfolios.

Most coin collectors will go the extra distance and seek out Eisenhower dollars that have the fewest contact marks and flashy, white color. These are the hardest Eisenhower dollars to come by and certainly among the scarcest. If you seek high-grade Eisenhower dollars, be sure to purchase them in slabs from highly reputable, third-party coin grading companies.

*There are no 1975-dated Eisenhower dollars; those made in 1975 bear the 1776-1976 dual dating in commemoration of our nation’s bicentennial.