1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value Guide

The 1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value

1972 Eisenhower dollars do not get past face value until the mint-state grades. 

The most valuable mint-state grade is from Denver, it is worth $11,000. 

Overall, the most valuable version is the Type 2 Eisenhower dollar from Philadelphia. Its value reflects its rarity. Mint-state grades range from $77 to almost $10,000.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 1972 Eisenhower dollar’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market. 

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Values
Grade Names	1972 Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar	1972-D Eisenhower Dollar
Good – G	$1	$1
Very Good – VG	$1	$1
Fine – F	$1	$1
Very Fine – VF	$1	$1
Extra Fine – XF	$1	$1
About Uncirculated – AU	$1-$1	$1-$2
Mint State – MS	$3-$2,700 (68)	$3-$11,000 (67+)

Circulation Strike – Type 2 and Type 3 (MS) Value Chart

	Coin Names And Values
Grade Names	1972 Type 2 Eisenhower Dollar	1972 Type 3 Eisenhower Dollar
AU 58	$77	$11
MS 60	$93	$12
MS 61	$107	$13
MS 62	$110	$16
MS 63	$150	$25
MS 64	$247	$39
MS 65	$1,800	$119
MS 66	$9,900	$1,200
MS 67	N/A	N/A
MS 68	N/A	N/A
MS 69	N/A	N/A
MS 70	N/A	N/A

What Makes A 1972 Eisenhower Dollar Valuable?

There are different elements that make a 1972 Eisenhower dollar valuable. These are: grading, design variations, die varieties and errors.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Despite the Mint putting few of the 1972 Eisenhower dollars into circulation, not many exist in the mint-state range. 

They are particularly prone to wear and damage in storage. This mean coins in circulated condition are plentiful.⁹

Grades from “good” to the start of the mint-state range from $1 to $11. This makes them a great choice if you are looking to start a series collection.   

Rarity

The Mint minted 1972 Eisenhower dollars approximately 171,438,511 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1972 Type 1: 75,890,000 minted in Philadelphia^1-2
• 1972 Type 2: Part of the 1972 Philadelphia mintage^3-4
• 1972 Type 3: Part of the 1972 Philadelphia mintage^5-6
• 1972-D: 95,548,511 minted in Denver^7-8

Like most of the Eisenhower series, 1972 Eisenhower dollars are common coins. 

The 1972 type 2 Eisenhower dollar is the rarest version and the most valuable from AU 58 to MS 66. It is the key coin of the entire Eisenhower series.⁹

Mint Marks

The 1972 Eisenhower dollar has 2 minting locations:

• Philadelphia with no mint mark^1-6 
• Denver with a “D” mint mark^7-8

Denver’s “D” mint mark is the most valuable in the higher mint-state grades. The type 2 version from Philadelphia is the most valuable in the lower mint-state grades. 

Strike Types

There are only circulation strikes 1972 Eisenhower dollars.^10-11

Design Variations

There are 3 different design variations for the 1972 Eisenhower dollar.^1-6 These all come from the Philadelphia Mint. 

One variation came from the accidental use of a proof reverse die.³ The other two are down to geography and getting countries in their correct geographical position. 

The 1972 Type 2 Eisenhower dollar is the most notable of the entire Eisenhower series.³ Estimates say that there are less than 40,000.³ The poor condition of many of these make them unidentifiable.³ 

The design variation is on the coin’s reverse side. The variation is dependent on the map of the Earth and which countries are visible (more details below). 

There are several islands below Florida. They are Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. It is the placement of these islands that distinguishes the design type. 

Also, one of the craters on the moon is different depending on the type. 

Let’s start with “Type 1.”

Type 1

This type is the same as the 1971 Eisenhower dollars. It is in low relief.

Type 1 of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar sees the 3 islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to the southeast of Florida.^1-2,16 

This is not the correct position of these islands. This error is the reason for the change in design. 

The crater above the “LA” of “Dollar” has less definition. 

Type 2

The details on the Earth are much less defined compared to the other 2 types.^3-4,16 This results in the islands appearing as 3 lines instead.

The crater above “Dollar” is more defined. 

It is a high-relief design.  

This design was for the proof versions of the 1972-S silver dollar. The reason this proof die struck circulation strikes is unknown.

This is the rarest and most valuable design variation.

Type 3

The final variation sees the placement of the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in their correct geographical position. This is to the southwest and southeast of Florida.^5-6,16

The crater above “LA” of “Dollar” has a clear outline and smaller craters within it. 

The type 3 versions used a different die steel, which allowed the striking to be in high relief. 

Special Designations

The 1972 Eisenhower dollar has no special designations.

Error Coins 

Some errors known to increase the value of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar are:

• Wrong Planchet: these have sold for $1,300 and up
• Double-Strike: one example sold at auction for over $6,300

Die Varieties

There are a couple doubled die varieties for the 1972 Eisenhower dollar from the Denver Mint.¹⁴

The first is a doubled die reverse (DDR), and the second a doubled die obverse and reverse.

These are a good choice for collectors who favor doubled varieties.

Composition

The 1972 Eisenhower dollar is 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition has negligible melt value.

We do not recommend melting your 1972 Eisenhower dollar (or any coin) as they are more valuable when sold intact.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1972 Eisenhower Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1972 Eisenhower dollar (or any coin) and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Up to mint-state grades, you won’t find much beyond their face value.

So, select a 1972 Eisenhower dollar that exhibits these qualities:

• Well struck
• A nice luster
• Little signs of wear
• No marks or scratches in prominent places

This is a mint-state-graded coin and is worth more.

Mint Marks

Look at your 1972 Eisenhower dollar’s obverse side. The mint mark is beneath Eisenhow’s neck.

Coins minted in Denver have a “D” mint mark. If your coin does not have a mint mark, then it is from the Philadelphia Mint.

Strike Types

There are only circulation-strike 1972 Eisenhower dollars so nothing in particular to look out for.

However, you should be aware that there are also 1972-S silver dollars. The U.S. Mint produced these circulation-strike silver dollars only as collectible coins. 

Their composition is different to the clad 1972 Eisenhower dollars. The 1972 silver dollars have a total silver composition of approximately 40%.

The easiest way to differentiate between the 1972 Eisenhower dollars and the 1972 silver dollars is by their mint marks. 

If your coin has a “D” mint mark or no mint mark, then it is from the Denver or Philadelphia mint and is a regular 1972 Eisenhower dollar. 

Only San Francisco minted the 40% silver 1972 silver dollars. So, these coins have an “S” mint mark below Eisenhower’s neck on the coin’s obverse side.

Design Variations

Determining these design variations can be difficult. We recommend working with a professional whenever establishing a variation, variety, or special designation.

But below are some tips to get you started. You may find a loupe or some form of magnification useful when determining the variation. 

Remember, these design variations are only from the Philadelphia Mint. So, make sure there is no mint mark beneath Eisenhower’s neck on your coin’s obverse side. 

Type 1

For Type 1, look at the reverse side of your coin and locate Earth.^1-2,16 

For this variety, look at the islands next to the state of Florida. Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic are at the southeast of the tip of Florida. 

Next, look at the crater above the “LA” of “Dollar.” There are no smaller craters inside, and it isn’t outlined.

This is a low relief reverse, so there is a certain amount of “flatness” to it, particularly on the top left-hand side. 

This is the same reverse as the one used on all Denver-minted 1972 Eisenhower dollars. So, you can always use that as a comparison.

Type 2

For Type 2, again, look at the Earth on your coin’s reverse side.^3-4,16

The key identifier of this type is the absence of the islands below the state of Florida. There are lines instead. Also, there is little definition elsewhere on the continents on Earth.

The crater above “LA” of “Dollar” has a clearly defined outline. It does not contain any smaller craters.  

This is the rarest and most valuable design variety.  

Type 3

As with the other 2 design variations, look at the reverse side of your coin for the Type 3 variation.^5-6,16

The key identifier of the type 3 variety is the placement of the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic on the Earth. 

Look for these at the bottom of Florida. They stretch across the bottom right to bottom left (southwest and southeast) of the tip of Florida. 

Next, check the moon’s crater above the “LA” of “Dollar.” Like type 2, it has a clear outline, but it also has little craters within it. 

This reverse is a high-relief version.

Special Designations

The 1972 Eisenhower dollar has no special designations.

Error Coins

Below are some tips on identifying 1972 Eisenhower dollar error coins. 

Wrong Planchet Error

A wrong planchet error happens when the design of one coin is struck onto a planchet intended for another denomination. So, it can be a different size. It can also be a different color if the planchet is a different metal.  

A known 1972 Eisenhower dollar wrong planchet error sees the design of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar on the planchet of a Philippine peso.¹²

This is a slightly smaller planchet, so look for the outside edge of the design to be missing, such as the top of “Liberty” and “United States of America” and the bottom of “1972” and “One Dollar.”

Double-Strike Error

There are four categories of double-strike errors

• Double-strike on center: Look for two strikes, they might not line up
• Double-strike off-center: first strike is normal, second strike is off-center
• Multiple-strike: look for evidence of 3 or more strikes
• Flip-over, double-strike: first strike is normal, second strike is on the wrong side of the coin 

All these increase the value of your 1972 Eisenhower dollar.

Die Varieties

Both varieties are from the Denver Mint.¹⁴ So, first, make sure you have a Denver-minted 1972 Eisenhower dollar. Check for the “D” mint mark below Eisenhower’s neck on your coin’s obverse side.

For the 1972-D DDR VP-001 variety, look at the reverse side of your coin.

There is clear doubling on the stars. Doubling is also evident on the Earth and on the craters of the Moon.

For the 1972-D DDO & DDR VP-002 variety, first look at the coin’s obverse side. Check for clear doubling on “In God We Trust.” The “1” of the date “1972” shows tripling. 

On the reverse side, doubling is evident on the Earth and several of the stars. 

Also, check “United States of America” and “One Dollar” as much of it shows doubling too.

Additional Information About The 1972 Eisenhower Dollar

History

A short 8-year series, the Eisenhower series began striking in 1971 and ended in 1978. These coins honored President Eisenhower and the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Frank Gasparro, the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver, designed the Eisenhower dollar.

Unfortunately, none of the circulated, collectible, or proof versions of the Eisenhower series were popular. The numismatic world has since changed this opinion and the series is popular with collectors today.¹⁴

The 3 different reverses of the Philadelphia-minted 1972 Eisenhower dollar make it a key date in the Eisenhower series. 

The Coin’s Obverse Side

A left-face profile of Eisenhower sits in the center of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar’s obverse side. 

Gasparro’s initials “FG” are at the bottom of Eisenhower’s neck.

“Liberty” follows the coin’s rim at the top. “1972” is at the bottom of the coin.

“In God We Trust” is under Eisenhower’s chin. 

If present, the mint mark is below Eisenhower’s neck. Coins minted in Denver will have a “D” mint mark. 

^{Sources: 1-8}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

A bald eagle landing on the moon is in the middle of the 1972 Eisenhower dollar’s reverse side.

It holds an olive branch. Gasparro’s initials “FG” are below the eagle’s tail.

The Earth is in the background. The map of America is visible. 

For the Philadelphia-minted 1972 Eisenhower dollars, the details on Earth will be dependent on the design variation (see the “Design Variations” sections above for more details).

“E Pluribus Unum” is above the eagle. This is the motto of the United States of America and it means “Out of many, one.”

“United States of America” circles the rim at the top. 13 stars curve underneath.

“One Dollar” follows the curve of the rim at the bottom.  

^{Sources: 1-2}

Sources

1972 Eisenhower Dollar Value Guide Sources