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The Eisenhower (Ike) dollar was the first coin of that denomination issued by the Mint since the Peace dollar series ended in 1935.

The coin was designed by Frank Gasparro. The coin honors both  President Dwight D.Eisenhower on the obverse, and the first landing of the man on the moon, on the reverse (eagle-clutching olive branch landing on the Moon, based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia).

There are no dollars dated 1975; coins from that year and 1976 bear a double date 1776–1976, and a special reverse (Liberty Bell) by Dennis R. Williams in honor of the bicentennial of American independence. The original reverse design resumed in 1977.

The new dollars failed to circulate to any degree, except in and around Nevada casinos, where they took the place of privately issued tokens. In 1979 they were replaced with Susan B. Anthony, a much smaller coin in size.

The coins intended for circulation were made of copper (75%) and nickel (25%). The silver "Ike" coins were minted at the San Francisco Mint in 1971- 1974, and 1976. These coins were either uncirculated or proof. The silver content of Ikeis 40%. Uncirculated coins came in cellophane with a blue plastic token in a blue envelope and were referred to as “Blue Ikes”. Proof issues came in a proof set-like plastic case in a fancy brown wood-colored box with a gold seal on the back and are known as “Brown Ikes”. Coins minted in 1975 and 1976 for the Bicentennial come with the quarter and the half dollar of that year. The uncirculated coins were sold by the Mint for three dollars; the proof version was for ten dollars.

A few 1974D and 1977D Ike Dollars were made in silver and clad composition in error. They have slightly different colors and of course, the weight is different. Using a scale is always a good idea if not sure if the coin is silver or not. The weight of the  Clad Ike dollar is 22.68 grams and 24.59g for silver coins.

Two varieties of the dollar were produced in 1976 and can be distinguished by the thickness of the lettering. Variety 1: design in low relief, bold lettering on reserve, and Variety 2: sharp design, delicate lettering on the reverse. You can see it in the pictures below the text.