The 1972 silver dollar is one of the most popular coins in America and for a good reason.
Its intricate design, high silver content, and historical significance make it a collector favorite for a great gift.
But how much is your 1972 silver dollar worth? In this article, we’ll cover:
The History of Silver Coin
Some historians date the use of silver in coinage as far back as 600 B.C., when King Croesus first minted small amounts of silver into coins to be used by his people and others in the trade.
The Greek island was known for its massive silver deposits and quickly became the standard-bearer for precious metal coinage throughout the region.
Silver’s value has fluctuated over time but has always been precious. Its prominence in jewelry, cutlery, and other valuables over many centuries made it clear that something so beautiful must also be important—and worth money.
Unlike gold or copper, mined from deep within the Earth, silver was often found on the surface of hillsides or at shallow depths in mineshaft excavations.
As a result, it was easier to mine than other metals like gold or copper, making it more accessible to people all over Europe and Asia (where it continued to be famous well into the 20th century).
Silver coins have been a part of human currency for thousands of years.
What Makes a 1972 Silver Dollar Rare?
There are a few reasons that make 1972-dollar coins rare.
- Low Mintage – The U.S. government made only a certain amount of these dollars, and history tells that the government mainly used them for further testing before releasing them to the public market. Due to their limited supply, it was not easy to find good quality pieces in their original packaging, but scarcity can increase coin values tremendously.
- They Are Sought After by Many Collectors – Because of their rarity and the history behind the coin.
A Brief History of The Eisenhower Dollar
The Philadelphia Mint struck the prototypes in 1971, and they quickly gained popularity among collectors.
Frank Gasparro, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, was responsible for the design.
By combining an image of President Eisenhower with a representation of the Apollo 11 mission on the reverse side, he created a classic example of “historical” numismatic art.
The first step in determining your coin’s value will be to check for all three mintmarks: “D” is from Denver, “S” is from San Francisco, and Philadelphia strikes do not have any mintmarks.
Unfortunately, not all three are easy to find (we will talk more about this later), but there are still significant differences regarding their value today.
This popular series is also known as the Ike Dollar because of Eisenhower’s famous nickname.
1972 Eisenhower Dollar Types
The Philadelphia Mint also produced three different types of 1972 Eisenhower Dollars using the cupro-nickel alloy, which are easily identified because they have no mintmark. However, there are several varieties worth mentioning from this type:
Type 1
Type 1, also known as the Ike Dollar, is a popular coin minted from 1971 to 1976. It features the three islands off the coast of Florida.
Despite its low-relief appearance, it is possible to distinguish the islands.
Type 2
The Type 2 1972 silver dollar is the scarcest and most valuable. It can be distinguished from Type 1 by its higher relief feature.
The planet Earth is rounded, but the crescent-shaped Florida peninsula seems to be only one sizeable triangular funnel area. Likewise, the Caribbean Islands look like one singular big island rather than three small ones.
Type 3
This one is also a high-relief design. Just like Type 1, three islands are very well defined. But there’s something different about this design.
The upper-left island is far past the western edge of Florida, nearly touching Texas. In addition, the bottom left island is a little more oversized.
How Much Is A 1972 Silver Dollar Worth?
So how much is a 1972 silver dollar worth? The answer to that question depends on its condition, mintmark, and whether it’s composed of silver. You can use this quick reference guide to figure out what your coin might be worth:
1972 Ike Dollar Type 1
Mintage: 75,890,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Composition: 75% Copper and 25% Nickel
Average Value in Mint State: $5 up to $3,250 in MS66
Auction Record: sold for $7,475 at Heritage Auctions on April 27th, 2011
1972 Ike Dollar Type 2
Mintage: 75,890,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Composition: 75% Copper and 25% Nickel
Average Value in Mint State: $90 up to $10,500 in MS66
Auction Record: sold for $9,988 at Heritage Auctions on June 1st, 2016
1972 Ike Dollar Type 3
Mintage: 75,890,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Composition: 75% Copper and 25% Nickel
Average Value in Mint State: $21 up to $5,000 in MS66+
Auction Record: sold for $4,700 at Heritage Auctions on August 1st, 2014
1972-D Ike Dollar
Mintage: 75,890,000
Mint: Denver
Composition: 75% Copper and 25% Nickel
Average Value in Mint State: $21 up to $5,000 in MS66+
Auction Record: sold for $4,700 at Heritage Auctions on August 1st, 2014
1972-S Uncirculated Ike Silver Dollar
Mintage: 2,193,056
Mint: San Francisco
Composition: Outer layers of 80% Silver and 20% Copper; Center core of 79% Copper, 21% Silver; Weight 41.7 grams; Diameter 38.1 mm
Average Value in Mint State: $13 up to $3,000 in MS69
Auction Record: sold for $5,750 at Heritage Auctions on September 21st, 2005
1972-S Proof Ike Silver Dollar
Mintage: 1,811,631
Mint: San Francisco
Composition: Outer layers of 80% Silver and 20% Copper; Center core of 79% Copper, 21% Silver
Average Value in Mint State: $7 up to $25 in MS69, but MS70 specimens showcasing a deep cameo effect can reach up to $ 450
Auction Record: sold for $4,715 at Heritage Auctions on April 25th, 2002
So how much is a 1972 silver dollar worth? You now know that it all depends on the condition of the coin. If you have one in uncirculated condition, you could sell it for as many as 4 digits or more. On the other hand, if your coin is in poor condition and not part of a set, you may be looking at about $100.
The 1972 dollar is a popular coin among collectors. If your coin was minted in Philadelphia and has no mint mark, it’s probably worth $6 and $8. The value of coins made in San Francisco (with an S) could be between 2 digits up to 4 digits dollars depending on the condition.
Before you go…
In conclusion: How much is a 1972 silver dollar worth? A lot! Depending on the type, circulated or uncirculated, and its condition. I hope this article helped you understand where your coin fits into the picture regarding valuation. Happy collecting!
Check out my next article: “23 Most Valuable Penny Collection in History: A Rare Look Inside.”
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