Anthony dollar, struck beginning in 1979, but that coin also failed to circulate. Beginning in 1977, the Mint sought to replace the cumbersome Eisenhower dollar with a smaller-sized coin. Williams in honor of the bicentennial of American independence. There are no dollar coins dated 1975 coins struck that year and from 1976 bear the double date 1776–1976, and a special reverse by Dennis R. On December 31, 1970, President Richard Nixon, who had served as vice president under Eisenhower, signed legislation authorizing mintage of the new coin.Īlthough the 40% silver collector's pieces sold well, the new base-metal dollars failed to circulate to any significant degree, except in and around Nevada casinos, where they were preferred over privately issued tokens. In 1970, a compromise was reached to strike the Eisenhower dollar in base metal for circulation, and in 40% silver as a collectible. While these bills generally commanded wide support, enactment was delayed by a dispute over whether the new dollar coin should be in base metal or 40% silver. After Eisenhower died that March, there were a number of proposals to honor him with the new coin. No dollar coins had been issued for thirty years, but, beginning in 1969, legislators sought to reintroduce a dollar coin into commerce. In 1965, because of rises in bullion prices, the Mint began to strike copper-nickel clad coins instead of silver. dollar coin whose circulation strikes contained no silver. Both sides were designed by Frank Gasparro, with the reverse based on the mission patch designed by astronaut Michael Collins. Eisenhower on the obverse, and a stylized image honoring the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon mission on the reverse. The Eisenhower dollar was a one-dollar coin issued by the United States Mint from 1971 to 1978 it was the first coin of that denomination issued by the Mint since the Peace dollar series ended in 1935.

Mint mark omitted on Philadelphia Mint issues.Įagle clutching olive branch landing on the Moon, based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia designed by astronaut Michael Collins Located on the obverse beneath Eisenhower's bust. Coins struck in 19 bear double date '1776–1976'ĭ, S. Circulation strikes: outer layers of 75.0% copper 25.0% nickel clad with a core of 100% copper (in all 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel).įor silver clad: Outer layers of 80% silver with a center of 20.9% silver.

1972 to 1976 silver dollar value