The Eisenhower Dollar

First minted in 1971 the Eisenhower Dollar was the first dollar coin to be produced by the U.S Mint since the minting of the Peace Dollar ended in 1935.

Known as Ike’s to collectors, numismatists, and the general public, this coin was designed by Frank Gasparro and was well received by collectors, but was not very heavily circulated.  This lack of circulation most likely has much to do with the fact that a paper bill was much more convenient then this bulky coin.

The Eisenhower Dollar was minted from 1971 to 1978. The United States then mint decided to try a smaller dollar coin with the Susan B. Anthony Dollar.

To commemorate the centennial of Eisenhower’s birth however, a special Eisenhower Dollar was minted in 1990 and was made of 90% silver (unlike its original counterpart that was copper/nickel clad.) Designed by John Mercanti, it also happened to be the first American silver coin to be minted at the West Point Mint.

Eisenhower Dollars are still in high demand today among collectors though, due to the relatively short length of the series and their reasonable price.