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Eisenhower dollars: the big dollar, the 40% ones, and the little SBA next to it
Eisenhower dollars (1971–1978) are the large dollar that replaced silver dollars in change. Most are copper-nickel clad. Blue-pack and brown-box Ikes are 40% silver. The small 1979 Susan B. Anthony next to it is a different coin.
An Eisenhower dollar is the large $1 coin struck 1971 through 1978. Ike on the front. Apollo 11 eagle on the back (or the 1976 Independence Hall reverse). It is the size of a Morgan. Most of the ones in a drawer are copper-nickel clad. They are not silver.
The Mint also sold 40% silver Ikes to collectors: the blue pack uncirculated and the brown box proof, 1971–1974 and the 1976 silver versions. Those we weigh as 40% — same family as a 1965–1970 Kennedy, not as a 1964. 90% vs 40%.
The small one in the same box
A Susan B. Anthony dollar (1979–1981, then 1999) is the small, 11-sided-looking dollar people mixed with quarters. Clad. Not silver. Not an Ike. The 1979-P near date (wide rim) is a collected variety. Sacagawea and presidential dollars are later still. Modern dollar coins.
What a shop pays
Clad Ikes: face, or a little over if you have a roll of problem-free 1976s. 40% silver Ikes: silver bid. Brown-box proofs in the original packaging can add a little. Damaged clad: face. What face value means.
SBA dollars: face, plus a nod for a nice 1979-P near date or a 1999 roll. A gold-colored Sacagawea in the same envelope is still clad — not gold. What face value means.
The 1971–74 and 1976 brown box (proof, 40%) and blue envelope (uncirculated, 40%) are the silver Ikes. If the pack is missing, we still test the coin: 40% Ikes have a different edge and weight than clad.
Extra history
Congress wanted a circulating dollar after silver dollars died. Ike was the popular choice. They still did not circulate much — too big for a register. The SBA was the shrink. People still spent them as quarters. That is why the Sacagawea got a golden color.
People also ask
Are all Ike dollars silver? No. Only the collector 40% issues. A 1972-D from change is clad.
Is a 1976 Ike rare because of the Bicentennial? No. They made a lot of both reverses. Common.
Is an SBA a half dollar? No. Same diameter neighborhood as a quarter, dollar on the reverse. Look at the words.
More on the coin and money library.
The small dollar as its own page: Susan B. Anthony dollars.