Short answer
Most 1971 Eisenhower dollars are not silver. Coins from the Philadelphia and Denver mints, with no mint mark or a D, were struck in copper-nickel clad metal for circulation. The 1971 dollars struck at San Francisco and marked with an S were made for collectors and are 40% silver.
How to check your coin
- Find the mint mark. On the obverse (the portrait side), the mint mark sits above the date, below Eisenhower’s portrait. No mark means Philadelphia and a D means Denver. An S means San Francisco.
- Weigh it. A clad Eisenhower dollar is about 22.68 grams. A 40% silver one is about 24.59 grams. A kitchen scale accurate to a tenth of a gram can tell them apart.
- Look at the edge. A clad coin shows a copper-colored band between the two nickel-colored faces. The silver version has a more uniform silvery edge.
- Check the packaging. The silver collector versions were sold in a blue envelope (uncirculated) or a brown box or case (proof). A coin that is still in original packaging marked as silver is easier to confirm.
An S-marked coin is not always silver, because San Francisco also struck some clad proofs in later years. In 1971, though, the S-marked uncirculated and proof coins were the silver ones. Weight is the most reliable of these checks.
Clad versus silver comparison
| Feature | Clad (P or D) | 40% silver (S) |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Copper-nickel over copper core | Silver-copper alloy over a lower-silver core |
| Weight | about 22.68 g | about 24.59 g |
| Edge | Visible copper stripe | Silvery edge |
| Silver content | None | about 0.316 troy oz |
Silver Eisenhower issues by year
The 40% silver Eisenhower dollar was struck for collectors in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and again for the Bicentennial coins dated 1776-1976 (struck 1975 and 1976). Circulating dollars from the Philadelphia and Denver mints in all of those years were clad. Clad Eisenhowers alone were made in 1977 and 1978. For the broader timeline, see what year coins stopped containing silver.
What is it worth
A circulated clad Eisenhower dollar is usually worth little over face value, and mint state or key-date examples can be worth more. A 40% silver S-mint coin has a melt value based on about 0.316 troy ounces of silver, plus any collector premium for condition. Check current prices from a reputable dealer or price guide rather than relying on a single listing. Key dates and varieties exist, such as a 1972 Type 2 reverse, so it is worth looking at a reference list if you have a high-grade coin.
Other 1971 dollar confusion
- A 1971 Susan B. Anthony dollar does not exist, since that series started in 1979, and the dollar was never silver.
- Older silver dollars, such as Morgan and Peace dollars, are 90% silver but have different designs. See our guide to silver coins by country.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Eisenhower dollar is silver?
Look for an S mint mark, then check the weight (about 24.59 g for silver, 22.68 g for clad) and the edge.
How much silver is in a 1972 Eisenhower dollar?
A 1972-S 40% silver version holds about 0.316 troy ounces. Other 1972 dollars are clad and contain no silver.
What is the value of Eisenhower dollars?
Values vary by condition, mint mark and composition. Clad examples are generally modest, and silver collector versions are worth at least their silver content.
What are the key dates?
Commonly mentioned ones include the 1972 Type 2 reverse and some of the 1973 and 1974 issues, though you should confirm with a current price guide.