Coins

1945 Tribute to President Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Eisenhower Dollar, often called the “Ike Dollar,” was minted by the United States from 1971 to 1978. It honored President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the nation’s 34th president and World War II Allied Supreme Commander, and also commemorated the Apollo 11 Moon landing — a defining American achievement of the era.

1969 — Congressional approval

After the Peace Dollar ended production in 1935, the U.S. went more than three decades without a circulating dollar coin.

Following President Eisenhower’s death in 1969, Congress approved a new dollar coin to honor him — and to celebrate the Apollo 11 mission of 1969, whose insignia (the bald eagle landing on the Moon) would appear on the coin’s reverse.

1971 Introduction of the Eisenhower Dollar

• Designer: Frank Gasparro, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.
• Obverse:(front) Portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• Reverse (back): Based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia — an eagle landing on the Moon, clutching an olive branch.
• Composition:
  • Circulating coins (Philadelphia & Denver Mints): Copper-nickel clad.
  • Collector’s editions (San Francisco Mint): 40% silver versions in proof and uncirculated finishes.

1975–1976 Bicentennial Issue

To celebrate America’s 200th birthday, the 1975–1976 Eisenhower Dollars featured:

• Dual date: 1776–1976.
• Special reverse design: Liberty Bell superimposed over the Moon, by Dennis R. Williams.
• Both clad and 40% silver versions were produced for circulation and collectors.

1978 End of Circulation

Public acceptance of the large, heavy Eisenhower Dollar was limited — it was often considered too bulky for daily use.

Production ended in 1978, replaced in 1979 by the smaller Susan B. Anthony Dollar, which was easier to handle but also met limited success.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Eisenhower Dollar endures as a symbol of American pride, leadership, and exploration — bridging the eras of World War II, space travel, and modern coinage.

Although short-lived, the Eisenhower Dollar holds a unique place in U.S. coinage:

• It’s the last large-size dollar coin struck for circulation.
• It connects two major American icons — Eisenhower and Apollo 11.
• Collectors appreciate its historical significance, affordable price range, and bold design.