Mint issued these special 1972 silver dollars to coin collectors in special packaging - and very few ever reached circulation.Ĭhances are any 1972 Ike dollars that you have are made from copper-nickel clad. Some 1972 Eisenhower dollar coins really are silver dollars, in that they were struck in a 40% silver composition.

In fact, the Eisenhower dollar (minted from 1971 through 1978) became the largest copper-nickel clad coin the U.S. However, most Eisenhower dollars minted (and virtually all that will ever been encountered in pocket change) are made from copper-nickel clad. Many folks who refer to Eisenhower dollar coins tend to call them “silver dollars” - which is the popular nickname used for describing large U.S. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins journeyed to the lunar satellite by way of Apollo 11, whose mission insignia, designed by Collins and James Cooper, appears on the reverse (tail’s side) of the Ike dollar in a slightly modified form. Those who remember 1969 will also recall another major news headline from the year - the landing of the first men on the moon. Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro captures a portrait of Eisenhower, who passed away at the age of 78 in 1969.

The Eisenhower dollar honors one of America’s greatest World War II generals and presidents, Dwight D.