Before checking the 1971 silver dollar value, did you know that the 1971 Silver Dollar was first made in 1971? Before that the country hadn’t used a dollar coin for 36 years since the Great Depression.
The reason for making this coin was double: it was made to honor Eisenhower, a great hero in World War II and the 34th President of the USA, and also as a special coin to remember one of the greatest things humans have ever done, which was the first landing on the Moon, and you can see on the coin’s back side looks like the “Apollo 11” mission sign.
Many people think that all Eisenhower Dollars made this year have silver in them, just like the half dollars made between 1965 and 1970.
But most of the coins that were meant for daily use were only made from a mix of copper and nickel, but there were versions with 40% silver in them.
History, Design, and How the Coin Was Made
Design and Changes to the Coin
The Eisenhower Dollar was made from 1971 until 1978, and the designer, Frank Gasparro, was the chief engraver and made it very big (38.1 mm).
- Obverse: It shows the picture of Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Reverse: It shows a picture of an eagle, landing on the moon and holding an olive branch
The 1971 coins were made at three different Mints, and the San Francisco Mint was the one that made all the special tokens, including the silver ones.
| Mint Location | Mint Mark | Mintage | Where Used | What It’s Made Of |
| Philadelphia | None (P) | 47.7 million | Regular Use | Copper-Nickel Mix (Clad) |
| Denver | D | 68.6 million | Regular Use | Copper-Nickel Mix (Clad) |
| San Francisco | S | 10.7 million | Special Sets | Clad & 40% Silver |
No More Silver and the New Sandwich
After the year 1964, when the price of silver started going up a lot, the USA stopped making coins for regular use out of pure silver (90%), but the government wanted to honor President Eisenhower with a “silver” coin, so they started using two kinds of metal mix:
- Copper-Nickel (Clad) – Coins for Regular Use: These coins have 75% copper and 25% nickel on the outside layer, with a middle part made of pure copper, and this “sandwich” mix makes the coin weigh 22.68 grams.
- Silver (40% Silver Clad) – Collector Coins: These ones also looked like a sandwich with three parts, but the mix was different: the outside layer had 80% silver and 20% copper, and the middle part had 79% copper and 21% silver, and the total amount of silver in the coin was exactly 40%, they were clearly heavier, weighing 24.59 grams.
How to Quickly See the Difference Between Clad and Silver
Because more than 90% of all 1971 dollars (116 million P and D coins) do not have silver and are only worth very little to collectors (from $1.50 to $3.00), you MUST know how to quickly tell if a coin is the 40% silver kind.
The Mint Mark and the Weight
The most sure sign, though not always perfect, is the Mint Mark on the coin:
- P (no mark) and D (Denver) Coins: They are almost always the copper-nickel mix (Clad, 22.68 grams).
- S (San Francisco) Coins: These can be either Clad (only the Proof type) or 40% Silver (Uncirculated and Proof), so you must check the box it came in or the weight.
| Feature | Clad Dollar (P, D) – Regular Use | 40% Silver Dollar (S) – Collector |
| Weight | 22.68 grams | 24.59 grams (Clearly heavier) |
| Thickness | Thinner | Thicker |
| What It’s Made Of | Copper/Nickel | 40% Silver (60% Copper) |
| Mint Mark | P (no mark) or D | Only S (San Francisco) |
| Type of Sale | Regular Use | Special Set (Proof/Uncirculated) |
The Simple Edge Test
- Clad (P, D): On the edge, you will clearly see three layers: two light nickel outer layers and a wide, brown middle stripe made of pure copper, and this “brown line” is a sign that the coin doesn’t have 40% silver.
- 40% Silver (S): The edge will look almost all silver-white or light grey, and even though the copper middle part is there and has some silver in it, the stripe is very thin.
The Best Way for S-Coins
Because the 40% silver coins were only sold by the US Mint in special sets, the box or wrapper they first came in is piece of proof:
- 40% Silver Uncirculated (BU): These were always sold in blue envelopes or hard plastic packs
- 40% Silver Proof (Proof): These were always sold in a strong, brown plastic case or box, usually inside a clear plastic holder.
The Real Value: Different Kinds and How to Grade Them
Known Different Kinds from 1971
- Reverse Type I (Type I): This kind shows clear small islands under the eagle with very smooth and soft edges, and you can see this on most 1971 coins
- Reverse Type II (Type II): This one was corrected in 1972, but some 1971 coins might have been made with this first version with clearer and sharper edges on the globe and its lines
Price Grading for Clad Dollars (P and D)
| Grade | P (Philadelphia) | D (Denver) |
| Circulated (VF/AU) | $1.00 – $2.00 | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| MS-60 / MS-63 | $3.00 – $5.00 | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| MS-65 (Gem Unc) | $10.00 – $20.00 | $10.00 – $20.00 |
| MS-67 (Highest Grade) | $500.00 – $1,200.00+ | $500.00 – $1,200.00+ |
Price Grading for 40% Silver Dollars (S)
| Coin Type | Condition (BU/Proof) | Silver Value | Collector Value (MS-65/PR-65) | Record Price (PR-69 DCAM) |
| 1971-S Silver Uncirculated (Blue) | Perfect (MS) | $3.00 – $6.00 | $8.00 – $15.00 | $1,500+ |
| 1971-S Silver Proof (Brown) | Mirror-like (PR) | $3.00 – $6.00 | $15.00 – $30.00 | $3,200 (For PR-70 DCAM) |
Extra Mistakes in Making the Coins
Known Mistakes from 1971
- “Missing S” (No S Mark): Proof coin which should have the “S” mark was made without it, and this is one of the most expensive mistakes in the Ike Dollar series.
If a 1971 Proof coin found in the brown box can be more than $10,000.
- Wide Strike: These are coins that were made without the metal ring that holds the coin in place, so that the coin has a very wide and flat edge.
What You Must Ask Before Buying the Coin
When you are going to buy a 1971 Eisenhower Dollar, it is very important that you ask the seller some questions.
- About the Silver: You should always ask the seller if the coin is the 40% silver type, and you must ask how much the coin weighs, as the silver one is much heavier at 24.59 grams than the regular one (only 22.68 grams).
- About the Packaging: You need to ask if the coin comes with the first package it was sold in, like the blue envelope for the Uncirculated type or the brown box for the Proof type to know that the coin is real and was never used in daily life.
- About the Condition: It is good to ask what the seller thinks is the grade of the coin, and you should ask for very clear pictures of the coin’s surface and edge so you can see if there are any big scratches or marks on it.
- About Rarity or Checks: If the coin has the S mark, you should ask the seller if it is a rare variety, like the Type II Reverse, and if the coin has been checked and graded by PCGS or NGC.
