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Junk Silver » 1971-1976 Silver Clad Eisenhower Dollar

1971-1976 Silver Clad Eisenhower Dollar

Junk Silver Value

Silver Content: 40%
Silver Weight: 0.3161 oz.
Junk Silver Price: $10.64

The Silver Eisenhower Dollar was minted between 1971 and 1976. It is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose likeness appears on the obverse of the coin. The reverse of the original coin depicts an eagle with wings spread. Both sides of the originally coin were designed by Frank Gasparro. In 1975 and 1976, a bicentennial version was released, with the Liberty Bell on the reverse side, in front of the moon - commemorating the moon landing. The bicentennial version was designed by Dennis Williams.

Also known as the "Ike" dollars, the coins were minted exclusively in San Francisco. They rarely made it into regular circulation outside of casinos. Instead, they were distributed in two forms: uncirculated and proof. The uncirculated variety coins came wrapped in cellophane with a blue plastic token, encolsed in a blue envelope. The proof version came in a brown box with a gold seal. This led to the uncirculated coins being called "Blue Ikes," and the proof being called "Brown Ikes." The uncirculated "Blue" ikes originally sold $3, while the proofs sold for $10 .

Unlike earlier silver dollars in the U.S., "Ikes" are only 40% silver, with each coin containing a little under a third of an ounce of silver. The other 60% is made up of copper. Because they were issued only as collectibles, they are not generally found in circulation. Still, they are considered legal tender, like other U.S. coins.

Eisenhower dollars are not often traded as "junk silver," because they were never regularly circulated. Instead, they are mostly held by collectors for their numismatic value. That combined with the fact that they are only 40% silver makes them a less than ideal choice for junk silver traders. Still, "Ikes" are occasionally found in such poor quality that they fall to "junk" status, and like other junk silver coins, they have the advantage of legal tender status, and silver content certified by the U.S. government.

As with other junk silver coins, Ebay is most often the best place to acquire circulated Eisenhower Dollars for their silver value, especially in smaller quantities.