Although only issued from 1971 to 1978, the Eisenhower dollar is still in use. A coin jar or collection may contain something worth more than a dollar.
Many factors can affect Eisenhower dollar prices, so it's helpful to know some of the most valuable coins in this design and how to discover a gem.
Despite being minted for a short time, the Ike dollar includes many minting faults and quirks that increase its worth. This is evident in some of the most valued Eisenhower dollars.
Despite never being distributed, the 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype is one of the most valuable silver dollars. The only three were found in 2008.
Another oddity. Someone put a copper-toned San Francisco Assay Office medal into the Eisenhower dollar minting machine during its first strikes.
This minting error wins. The set has two pieces. Ike's visage was on a copper planchet on top of the dollar planchet, leaving a gap. This set auctioned for $40,250 in 2008.
Not like typical change, this coin is another remarkable minting accident. Raised "bottle cap" edges. The machine struck an Eisenhower dollar against the coins pushed through after it stuck on its die.
Most Ike dollars aren't silver, thus silver ones are valuable. A few were struck in 1976 for the bicentennial, but none were intended for 1977.
The San Francisco Mint made another strange mistake in 1977. An Eisenhower dollar was struck 30% off center, thus only part of its design appears on the planchet. In 2021, this unusual error sold for $26,400.