Ike Dollars: A Great Start to Your Numismatic Journey
The Eisenhower Dollar, designed by Frank Gasparro, was the first Dollar Coin struck in over 35 years after the Peace Dollar’s mintage concluded in 1935. This coin was struck as a means of honoring our courageous and honorable 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower after his death in 1969.
General Eisenhower
Eisenhower, commonly known as Ike, masterminded the plot to storm the Nazi-occupied beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, now known as D-Day. This ingenious strategy laid the foundation for America and the Allied powers to prevail over Germany and the Axis powers in World War II. Eventually, Eisenhower’s outstanding military career and distinguished reputation as a fearless leader steered him to run for president in 1953 under the slogan “I like Ike.” The results were two consecutive landslide victories, and his presidency that lasted from 1953 to 1961.
During Eisenhower’s presidency, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was signed, making it the first piece of Civil Rights legislation to be signed since the end of the Civil War. Eisenhower would also create NASA as well as bring Alaska and Hawaii, the 49th and 50th states, into the union of the United States of America. In many ways, President Eisenhower created the infrastructure on which modern America is built upon, so it is no surprise that he was chosen to be depicted on the Dollar Coin from 1971 to 1978.
Designing Ike
This highly revered coin, designed by tenth Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Frank Gasparro, depicts a victorious bust of President Eisenhower on the obverse. In 1945, Gasparro was one of the 4 million viewers standing by in New York City as then General Eisenhower rode in the parade celebrating the Allied victory in Europe. Designing the Ike Dollar was the completion of a lifelong dream for Gasparro, who sketched the future president after seeing him in that parade.
As a means of paying tribute to Eisenhower’s involvement in creating NASA, the reverse of the Ike Dollar displays the design of the Apollo 11 patch, which was worn by Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins when they landed on the moon.
Every year of the Eisenhower Dollar was struck in a Copper-Nickel Clad composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It is only on the Proof issues that were struck from 1971 to 1976, that a Silver-Clad composition of 40% silver and 60% copper was available. For the two final years of issue, in 1977 and 1978, all examples of the Eisenhower Dollar were struck from the Copper-Nickel clad composition, including the Proof issues.
Collecting a complete Eisenhower Dollar series is a great way to start a journey into numismatics as it is relatively easy to assemble with just 32 issues, including varieties. From 1971 to 1972, Ike Dollars had three varieties, all related to slight changes to the Earth on the reverse. Type 1 appears on the 1971-D and 1972-P issues and is characterized by the three islands beneath Florida, which are slightly to the right. Type 2 occurs on the 1971-D,1971-P, and 1972-S, but is defined by its lack of islands beneath Florida. The Type 3 variety of the 1972 Eisenhower Dollar is the most accurate geographical representation of the world as it shows the islands directly beneath Florida instead of to the right.
Celebrating America’s Birth
In 1975 and 1976, a special Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar was minted bearing the years “1776-1976,” which means that there are no Ike Dollars that bear the date 1975. This unique design depicts the Liberty Bell superimposed over the moon to symbolize America as the first and only country to land on the moon as well as to celebrate President Eisenhower’s integral role in establishing NASA back in 1958. The Bicentennial issue was made in copper-nickel and silver clad with two varieties. Bicentennial Variety 1 has bold lettering on the reverse while Bicentennial Variety 2 has more delicate lettering.
After the Bicentennial Ike Dollar, the standard issue was resumed for two years. Struck for the final time in 1978, the Ike Dollar was replaced by the smaller Susan B. Anthony Dollar. For numismatists, the Eisenhower Dollar is a great way to honor our 34th President and collect a complete series with some unique types.
