When General Dwight D. Eisenhower is running for President in the 1950’s, his popular slogan is “I Like Ike”. Ike becomes the inspiration for Eisenhower Dollars in the 1970s.
Dwight David Eisenhower
During World War II, Eisenhower is a 5 star General and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. His popularity makes him run for President in 1952 and 1956, winning both times. One of the Acts passing during his presidency is still seen today, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. This creates the Interstate Highway System. Eisenhower notices the German autobahns during World War II and wants to do something similar here in the United States. As well as traveling quicker to destinations, there are a number of straightaways so aircrafts having trouble can land on the interstate.
On March 28, 1969, President Eisenhower passes away at the age of 78. That same year, there is talk about reintroducing a dollar coin to circulation. A number of legislators think Eisenhower should be on that coin. Who wouldn’t agree more for this than Eisenhower’s Vice President, now President Richard Nixon. Initially, it is to mint them with 40% silver, just like the Kennedy Half Dollars, but after 1970, the Eisenhower Dollars in circulation will be clad (copper nickel) and collectors can get the dollars with 40% silver.
Ike On The Dollar
The designer of both sides of the dollar is Frank Gasparro who honors President Eisenhower on the obverse and the Apollo 11 insignia on the reverse. The Apollo 11 landing on July 20, 1969 is the first manned landing on the Moon.
Production begins early in 1971, and mail orders for the 40% Silver Coins commence in July. The silver uncirculated dollars go for 3 dollars and the silver proof dollars are 10 dollars. The proof silver coins are in brown boxes and the silver uncirculated are wrapped in cellophane with a blue and silver token in a blue envelope. The brown and blue Ikes as they are known come out from 1971 – 1974. The circulated dollars first appear later in 1971. There are different varieties in 1971 and 1972 from the low and high relief of the dies. By 1973 on, they have a high relief die.
Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollars
In 1975, the mint does not release any quarters, half dollars or dollars as they would be minted the special bicentennial coins for 1976. The reverse has the Liberty Bell in front of the Moon. The last 40% silver uncirculated and proof coins are released this year. There are two varieties of the lettering on the reverse. The first ones are bolder and lower relief. The second variety had sharper lettering than the first.
1977 and 1978 show the original reverse and all coins are clad.
So, Do You Like Eisenhower Dollars?
Though they are popular with collectors, it isn’t popular to many people, probably because of the lack of silver. I remember growing up with Eisenhower Dollars. Unfortunately, they are very big in diameter and you don’t want to keep too many in your pocket. It was because of this that they would start minting the smaller Susan B. Anthony Dollars in 1979.
Though they are too big for circulation, I still like Ike Dollars. So, do you like Eisenhower Dollars?