1976 Eisenhower Dollar

In 1975, the United States began minting Eisenhower dollars with the dual dates 1776-1976, which mark the occasion of the United States bicentennial. The 200^th birthday of our nation’s founding sparked gala ceremonies all around the United States on July 4, 1976, and the lead-up to the special birthday prompted the United States to memorialize the event on the dollar coin, which bore a special design featuring the moon superimposed by the Liberty Bell.

There were two styles of the bicentennial dollar reverse; these are called Type I and Type II dollars. Type I dollars exhibit thick, sans-serif lettering, while the Type II pieces show more refined, serif-style letters. The copper-nickel clad dollar coins feature both styles, but the 40 percent 1976 dollars were minted and released only with the Type I design, which was struck in 1975.

11,000,000 uncirculated 1976-S 40 percent silver dollars were minted while 4,000,000 proof versions of the 1776-1976 S silver dollar were produced. In general, uncirculated 40 percent silver bicentennial dollars cost around $27 and proofs carry a $29 price tag.

While you can buy silver bicentennial dollars individually, they are available in special, 3-piece uncirculated and proof sets that were assembled by the United States Mint. These sets include the 1776-1976 quarter and half dollar, which also display special bicentennial-themed designs.