Got Eisenhowers? The curious 1971-1978 small set

Aspie_Rocco

I have appreciated the Eisenhower dollars ever since I was a kid in the 80s. They are uncommon, largely unknown outside of the collector community, and the last of the “great” dollars (large dollar coins) as I call them. It was a thrill to get one from a bank or in change growing up.

My overall collection has evolved a lot in the last 23 years and this summer I took a slightly more serious approach to acquiring Ikes, gradually becoming more disciplined and focused.
I decided to go for an all clad PCGS MS65 set since most are easily obtainable and available for less than the cost of grading.
I quickly learned through pricing and availability that 1972 “P” type 1,2,3 are the major key dates (high prices 10x-100x more than average coin) followed by 76 “P” & 71 “P” as a mid range key. The 1973 “P” is the minor the key in the clad series. All the rest can be found in nice Ms65 condition for less than $25-$30 each, occasionally for much less at auction.

The compulsive collector in me bid on scores of MS65 Ikes at auctions on eBay and Great Collections this summer. I admittedly picked up a few toners along the way and picked off a few clad ms66 for embarrassing low prices. Also won more MS65 and shocking low prices than I will admit
The opportunity to handle so many coins gave me the chance to critically compare multiples of each graded year/mint and cherry pick the best strike and color combinations with the fewest contact marks and it has made for a very impressive MS65 set.

At this point I feel like I paid only a little tuition for a lot of knowledge in this series considering the eye appeal of my main Ike set, and the many duplicates I now have. I still need all the 72 types in ms65 and the 76 type 1 but I am content for now with lower graded toners as place holders.

The inconsistent use of silver through the series leads to an odd mixture of available dates. There are San Francisco business strikes in silver from 1971 through 1976. All proofs were made in San Francisco with silver proofs from 71-76.
Clad proofs were available from 1973-1978.

For those that do not already know, they opted for the 1776-1976 bicentennial date for 1975. Therefore there are no 1975 dated issues. 75 had a 1776-1976 dated obverse and a bicentennial design reverse with Type 1 lettering (much thicker) on the reverse. Coins from 1976 have a thinner reverse lettering making the type 2.

True to my Variety Enthusiast title I am working on a side collection of varieties. I have the Friendly Eagle variety for clad, and several various minor variety label proof doubled dies. I hope to eventually finish the complete varieties Ike set in the PCGS registry.
I love the sheer quantity of minor varieties in this series, so many doubled dies in the silver proofs, and a fair number in the clad business strikes too.

So overall I really enjoy this short run series. Most dates are still inexpensive and I see the series as a nice contrarian investment. It is an odd series with some odd choices or combinations of clad,silver, proof, and business strike. If you are patient and frugal most issues (MS65/PR69DCAM) in this series can be acquired for less than current individual grading costs.

Any other Eisenhower fans?

bsshog40

I have a low budget Ike proof set and then I did fill my Ike Danso which is complete.

Manifest_Destiny

The reverse is one of my favorite coin designs. The obverse not so much. I remember them as a kid. Seems like they were always worth a bit more than a dollar.

Manifest_Destiny

ctf_error_coins

Love Ike errors ... here is a newp ...

Aspie_Rocco

@ctf_error_coins said:
Love Ike errors ... here is a newp ...

That is awesome! I have seen a just a few Ike errors, that is the coolest missing layer placement! (It is a missing layer right?)

keyman64

I have one slabbed Ike and was born in the 70s during this time period. I have often thought about doing the set. I saw a proof error Ike that was amazing last year. It was $19k! I have seen some amazing toned examples as well, besides the one I own. I keep thinking about adding this to my growing list of distractions. The last large dollars!

Cladiator

I share a similar past with Ikes, being a kid in the 70's and 80's. I grew up with a fascination of them and that's continued into my adulthood. They are by far my most favorite modern coin. They are probably more responsible for me being a coin collector than any other coin. My love for them has led me to complete a full date/mm set raw in a Library of Coins album, build a working set of silver ms/pr in PCGS modern slabs, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in old ANACS soap bar holders, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in PCGS OGH's. Then there is this, which I can't explain lol, but it keeps growing and growing (should be almost 700 at this point).....

braddick

I have a complete 32-piece set in PCGS Old Green Holders- all matching.
It felt good to accomplish it after a few years of off-and-on looking.

TurtleCat

I’m thinking of picking up some myself. Probably not the complete set, just the clad ones.

Aspie_Rocco

@Cladiator said:
I share a similar past with Ikes, being a kid in the 70's and 80's. I grew up with a fascination of them and that's continued into my adulthood. They are by far my most favorite modern coin. They are probably more responsible for me being a coin collector than any other coin. My love for them has led me to complete a full date/mm set raw in a Library of Coins album, build a working set of silver ms/pr in PCGS modern slabs, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in old ANACS soap bar holders, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in PCGS OGH's. Then there is this, which I can't explain lol, but it keeps growing and growing (should be almost 700 at this point).....

Awesome treasure chest and slab collection!

Che_Grapes

I only collected the silver uncirculated business strike S mint coins in MS67 to MS68 1971 - 76.
I love the business strike finish for these big coins. I don’t have any rare ones or high value examples but I’m a huge fan of the series.

Che_Grapes

Oh and the commemorative!!

keyman64

https://youtube.com/shorts/wixd7Dn58C4

danegeld5

I like them and fill in my holes when i can afford to do so https://pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/showcase/15886

winesteven

Steve

SPalladino

Excellent post, @Aspie_Rocco !
My grandfather gave me a new 1971 Ike when they came out, and ever since, the Ike dollar has had a sentimental place in my collector heart.
The Ike series has some funky back stories, and as you mention, many varieties. Peg legs, RPMs, doubled dies ...although many of the "doubled dies" are upline origin and not true double dies, there are some great true doubled dies (see photo), like the FS-801 (of which, I own 4 of the 14 present in PCGS holders).

.
My Ike collecting has become more narrow, primarily looking to acquire a 1971-S proof Type 1 reverse (only 9 in PCGS holders), and a 1976 Type 1 MS66 CAC (only 5 with green stickers).
.
My Ike CAC set: https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/dollars/eisenhower-dollars-major-sets/eisenhower-dollars-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1971-1978-cac/alltimeset/225103
My Ike peg leg showcase: https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/modern-issues-1964-present/peg-leg-eisenhower-dollars/1594
My Ike RPM and MMS showcase (needs content update): https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/modern-issues-1964-present/eisenhower-dollar-rpms-mmss/1715
Some articles that I have written:
The 1972 Type 2 family: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQNYA6eX72TC9eFp2mj3XmFZnUVS55b-WpbKCgMXMrnBpuxLwC4MNiX3QJoOeWsNKv5CPKeng7yOdA2/pub
The FS-103 and look-alike siblings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQt1gCw1XyrM9vAlxp5ItctDl9fQoIJ9G-hIm5mJZZW52g4NOKVKoXXZNW7ThLPKQrKMixDCBZSZOmh/pub
The FS-106 and look-alike siblings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSYxDassYrwSYIMPaCWEvsqNXbkEVeS2oFj2tU9xPaXwpGAqihG4hTXNray9eK7ulkssEJZOrOmTEFw/pub
.
Thank you for drawing attention to the Ike series, and for giving me an opportunity to share my Ike collecting passion.

david3142

Thoughtful post, @Aspie_Rocco. I really like the Ike series and I have been meaning to post a thread on my recently-completed registry set. The coins don’t have the best obverse but I like the reverse, they are huge and they tone surprisingly well. Interestingly, it is much harder to find toned silver Ikes than toned clads! Here are a few from my set.

DennisH

I have just one (which is enough) -- a 1972-S silver in PCGS MS68 -- from back when I thought I was doing a silver dollar type set, but before I accepted that would have to include a Gobrecht.

braddick

Aspie_Rocco

Thank you. I am in awe of both the collections of @david3142 and @SPalladino
Amazing coins and toners!!! I meant to reply earlier but I got lost in the rabbit hole of links Palladino shared last night. So much information about them. I did not even know about the 71 type 1 or “upline origin”.
From the photos on coinfacts I was able to recognize the moon shape difference, is that the defining characteristic of T1?

Very cool greenies set @braddick
Are they all ms64? The Ikes have a nice appeal in the old green labels like that.

percyb

@Manifest_Destiny said:

This has always looked to me like the eagle head-butting the earth.

Manifest_Destiny

@percyb said:

@Manifest_Destiny said:

This has always looked to me like the eagle head-butting the earth.

The knock-off mission patches look even worse.

braddick

Very cool greenies set @braddick
Are they all ms64? The Ikes have a nice appeal in the old green labels like that.

Nothing less than MS64. Many 65s and of course the 40% silver are MS66 and MS67s. The proofs are PR67 or better.

SPalladino

@Aspie_Rocco said:
From the photos on coinfacts I was able to recognize the moon shape difference, is that the defining characteristic of T1?

.
I think you are referring to the 1972 (Philadelphia) reverses, which have been typically referred to as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

.
Yes, the earth characteristics, and in particular, the nature and location of the Caribbean Islands are the primary differentiators of the 1972 Ike dollars. There are other differences, but the earth characteristics are primary.
.
Ike reverse design varieties (RDV) from Variety Vista: http://www.varietyvista.com/13 Eisenhower Dollars/Reverse Design Varieties.htm
Ike obverse design varieties (ODV) from Variety Vista:
http://www.varietyvista.com/13 Eisenhower Dollars/Obverse Design Varieties.htm
.
Note that the "Type 2" reverse design (RDV-002) was used also for 1971-S proof, 1972-S proof, and 1972-S silver business strike production. One of my pet peeves is folks listing 1972-S coins as "Type 2" and asking a premium way above the value of the 1972-S coin. Yes, it has a "Type 2" reverse, but a) all 1972-S coins had a RDV-002, and b) "Type 2" should be reserved for 1972 (Philadelphia) coins, given that there were only two reverse die even used for producing 1972 Type 2 Ikes (Philadelphia) / they are uncommon / and should and do carry a premium.
.
For completeness (and further confusion), it should be mentioned also that the 1776-1976 Ikes saw production of what is called Type 1 from Philly, Denver, and San Francisco mints (silver business, silver proof, clad proof)...in 1975. And, in 1976, production of what is called Type 2 from Philly, Denver, and San Francisco mints ( only clad proof). Also note that the "1976" Type 1 obverse and reverse are different than the 1972 Type 1 reverse, and that the 1976 Type 2 obverse and reverse are different than the 1972 Type 2 reverse.
.
IOW, when using the term Type 2 in Ikeland, one should specify the date, and know that for 1972, one is referring only to the reverse design differences, while for the 1776-1976 Ikes, one is referring to both obverse and reverse design differences.
.
Lastly, as long as "Type" is used as date-specific, I would personally rename:

• the 1971-D "Friendly Eagle" (RDV-006) as Type 1 and the more common 1971-D with RDV-001 as Type 2.
• the 1971-S proof with peg leg R obverse (ODV-005/ODV-006) as Type 1, and the 1971-S proof with serif R obverse (ODV-004)
  (In both cases, the design differences are substantial and the ordering of the Type that I propose is due to production sequence)

braddick

Here are a couple more raw:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Cladiator

@braddick , I love how the OGH collection is housed in green boxes.

Aspie_Rocco

@SPalladino these 71 type 1 I thought you mentioned narrowing your search for those…

I noticed the Earth is different in the type 1 pics for the proof, as in different than the regular silver proofs. That is the only difference I can see without side by side images. The type 1 true views seem to have a more frosty cameo than typical 71 s proofs
Do you know more about these extra listings ?

![](https:

SPalladino

@braddick said:
Here are a couple more raw:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Denver mint Ikes struck on 40% silver planchets are known for 1974-D, 1976-D T2, and 1977-D. I am not aware of a 1971-D struck on a 40% silver planchet, although it is entirely possible.
Perhaps your LCS has an XFR machine?

SPalladino

@Aspie_Rocco said:
@SPalladino these 71 type 1 I thought you mentioned narrowing your search for those…

I noticed the Earth is different in the type 1 pics for the proof, as in different than the regular silver proofs. That is the only difference I can see without side by side images. The type 1 true views seem to have a more frosty cameo than typical 71 s proofs
Do you know more about these extra listings ?

Ahhh, ok, I understand....
The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse is a relatively rare coin (only 9 in PCGS holders), given that the entire production of 1971-S proofs was supposed to have the high relief Type 2 reverse. The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse was essentially released in error, with likely much less than a full die life of production (avg reverse die life of about 3500 Ike dollar coins produced in 1971) Also note that the obverse is an ODV-006 peg leg R, meaning that this "error" was created earlier in the 1971-S proof production, rather than later.
.
And, San Francisco did have both Type of reverse dies on hand....Type 2 for the proof production, and Type 1 for the silver business strike production. Using the Type 1 reverese could have been a mint worker mistake in the early days of proof production.
.
As for your screenshot, I do not access the PCGS pop report or coinfacts on my mobile....only via the web.

braddick

@SPalladino said:

@braddick said:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Denver mint Ikes struck on 40% silver planchets are known for 1974-D, 1976-D T2, and 1977-D. I am not aware of a 1971-D struck on a 40% silver planchet, although it is entirely possible.
Perhaps your LCS has an XFR machine?

It was only the 1976 I was speaking of regarding being on a 40% planchet. The toned 71-D is a stand-alone coin- I just showed it for the neat toning.

SPalladino

@Che_Grapes said:

Oh and the commemorative!!

...and the 2015 Eisenhower Presidential Medal: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/2015-medal-dwight-d-eisenhower/546158
...which is known to have a trail die specimen: https://www.traildies.com/u-s-bullion-trail-dies-silver-eagles/
...of which, I have a couple:

Mr Lindy

Here's an Ike struck in error, released in official OGP packaging.

One of one known, and a coin from Mint Set Only production.

A Crescent moon & Elliptical football shapes would exist now had they separated along their incomplete punch line. Maybe over time they will separate on that shear line.

SPalladino

@Manifest_Destiny said:

@percyb said:

@Manifest_Destiny said:

This has always looked to me like the eagle head-butting the earth.

The knock-off mission patches look even worse.

...yes, a bad knock-off.
Frank Gasparro modeled the Ike reverse from the Apollo mission patch. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-making-of-the-apollo-11-mission-patch
Interesting note regarding the Apollo mission patch: I just recently noticed that in PCGS Coinfacts, PCGS credits the design of the Ike not only to Gasparro, but also Apollo astronaut Michael Collins and James Cooper.

DESIGNER: Frank Gasparro/Michael Collins & James Cooper

SPalladino

@braddick said:

@SPalladino said:

@braddick said:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Denver mint Ikes struck on 40% silver planchets are known for 1974-D, 1976-D T2, and 1977-D. I am not aware of a 1971-D struck on a 40% silver planchet, although it is entirely possible.
Perhaps your LCS has an XFR machine?

It was only the 1976 I was speaking of regarding being on a 40% planchet. The toned 71-D is a stand-alone coin- I just showed it for the neat toning.

My error then. I'd still suggest XFR, but that said, I'm not aware of any Philadelphia minted circulation Ikes mistakenly being struck on a 40% silver planchet.

Kurisu

originalisbest

@Cladiator said:
I share a similar past with Ikes, being a kid in the 70's and 80's. I grew up with a fascination of them and that's continued into my adulthood. They are by far my most favorite modern coin. They are probably more responsible for me being a coin collector than any other coin. My love for them has led me to complete a full date/mm set raw in a Library of Coins album, build a working set of silver ms/pr in PCGS modern slabs, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in old ANACS soap bar holders, build a small hoard of silver ms coins in PCGS OGH's. Then there is this, which I can't explain lol, but it keeps growing and growing (should be almost 700 at this point).....

So, I've never seen a LOC IKE album -- have you images handy?

Cladiator

@originalisbest said:

So, I've never seen a LOC IKE album -- have you images handy?

Yeah, they never made one. I think LOC was out of the album making business by the 70's? I had to "make" my own with one of their "Generic Album for Dollar Sized Coin" albums.

originalisbest

Only "liking" that IKE LOC album because there's no "love" option -- but I love it! Great for IKEs! Appreciate your sharing pics!

originalisbest

(Wouldn't it be wonderful to find one of these in a used book store where a previous owner took up the inside cover's advice to perhaps store your extra $20 gold pieces in the ports.)

The_Dinosaur_Man

@originalisbest said:
(Wouldn't it be wonderful to find one of these in a used book store where a previous owner took up the inside cover's advice to perhaps store your extra $20 gold pieces in the ports.)

I've made a set of books just for that purpose. It is possible!

braddick

@SPalladino said:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Denver mint Ikes struck on 40% silver planchets are known for 1974-D, 1976-D T2, and 1977-D. I am not aware of a 1971-D struck on a 40% silver planchet, although it is entirely possible.
Perhaps your LCS has an XFR machine?

My error then. I'd still suggest XFR, but that said, I'm not aware of any Philadelphia-minted circulation Ikes mistakenly being struck on a 40% silver planchet.

My thinking is it was perhaps struck at the San Fransisco mint without a mintmark. -More likely than being struck on a 40% planchet at the Philadelphia Mint as there wouldn't be any logic in the Philly Mint having 40% planchets.

SPalladino

@braddick said:

@SPalladino said:

---

This one requires more research.
It weighs 24.58 grams.
A 40% silver Ike weighs that and a clad weighs 22.68 grams.

It was measured using a professional scale from my local coin shop. He also had a second, less reliable scale and it weighed the same.

There is no clad/copper core showing (not that they always do).
Placed next to other 40% "S" mint Ikes this one matches perfectly (although it has been cleaned).

If it ends up being a no "S" 40% planchet Ike it'll be one of my greatest finds in a while!
If not, I am only out a few dollars.

Denver mint Ikes struck on 40% silver planchets are known for 1974-D, 1976-D T2, and 1977-D. I am not aware of a 1971-D struck on a 40% silver planchet, although it is entirely possible.
Perhaps your LCS has an XFR machine?

My error then. I'd still suggest XFR, but that said, I'm not aware of any Philadelphia-minted circulation Ikes mistakenly being struck on a 40% silver planchet.

My thinking is it was perhaps struck at the San Fransisco mint without a mintmark. -More likely than being struck on a 40% planchet at the Philadelphia Mint as there wouldn't be any logic in the Philly Mint having 40% planchets.

Arguing against your no mint mark die struck in San Francisco hypothesis:
1) San Francisco produced no Type 2 1776-1976 Ikes other than proofs...that is not a proof. SF did not produce Type 2 silver business strike coins.
2) The late die stage demonstrated on the coin. Many coins were struck by that die prior to striking up that coin. That would imply that there were tens of thousands of coins just like your produced.

XFR.

braddick

^
You present a winning argument.

Perhaps it was PMD and the mintmark was removed.
More likely I suppose than what I had originally projected.
"Think horses rather than zebras".

My dreams of adding this coin to the short list of neat Ike errors have strongly diminished!

Aspie_Rocco

A group of Minor Variety DDO

braddick

^
I like how those are all TrueViewed.

Here is the 71-S:

wondercoin

‘’The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse is a relatively rare coin (only 9 in PCGS holders), given that the entire production of 1971-S proofs was supposed to have the high relief Type 2 reverse. The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse was essentially released in error, with likely much less than a full die life of production (avg reverse die life of about 3500 Ike dollar coins produced in 1971) Also note that the obverse is an ODV-006 peg leg R, meaning that this "error" was created earlier in the 1971-S proof production, rather than later.’’

Steve: Overall great analysis of most everything having to do with Ikes. But, I do have an issue with what you said here. I have not seen any research that concluded the low relief Type 1 reverse was “essentially released in error”. As I have always understood it, it was likely released intentionally with perhaps only about an estimated couple dozen coins struck (nothing remotely close to 3500 coins).

Do you happen to have a source?

Just my two cents.

Wondercoin

SPalladino

@wondercoin said:
‘’The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse is a relatively rare coin (only 9 in PCGS holders), given that the entire production of 1971-S proofs was supposed to have the high relief Type 2 reverse. The 1971-S proof with a low relief Type 1 reverse was essentially released in error, with likely much less than a full die life of production (avg reverse die life of about 3500 Ike dollar coins produced in 1971) Also note that the obverse is an ODV-006 peg leg R, meaning that this "error" was created earlier in the 1971-S proof production, rather than later.’’

Steve: Overall great analysis of most everything having to do with Ikes. But, I do have an issue with what you said here. I have not seen any research that concluded the low relief Type 1 reverse was “essentially released in error”. As I have always understood it, it was likely released intentionally with perhaps only about an estimated couple dozen coins struck (nothing remotely close to 3500 coins).

Do you happen to have a source?

Just my two cents.

Wondercoin

Your 2 cents are on point. I have to agree with you that the Type 1 reverse 1971-S proof may have been largely produced for early VIP distribution. For example, a number have been found in Nixon presentation boxes:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1086472/a-monumental-discovery-of-a-hoard-of-nixon-presentation-1971-s-silver-proof-eisenhower-dollars#latest
https://forum2.ikegroup.info/viewtopic.php?p=16211&hilit=1971+s+type+1#p16211
.
I'll retract the "essentially released in error", but will stick to "with likely much less than a full die life of production (avg reverse die life of about 3500 Ike dollar coins produced in 1971) Also note that the obverse is an ODV-006 peg leg R, meaning that this "error" was created earlier in the 1971-S proof production, rather than later". I'll even subscribe to the hypothesis that the Type 1 reverse of the 1971-S was were among the first Ikes struck (for distribution to the VIPs). And, perhaps these were struck in Philadelphia before shipping the dies to San Francisco?