What is the Value of a 1972 Silver Dollar?

Whether you’re a veteran coin collector or someone that’s just starting your collecting journey, the 1972 U. S. Silver Dollar is one of the most popular pieces of U.S. currency to collect. If you’ve found yourself with a 1972 Silver Dollar in your collection, you might be wondering: “What is the value of a 1972 Silver Dollar?”

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. Collectors must assess the variety, condition, and a host of other elements before determining the value of a 1972 Silver Dollar.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at this distinctive coin and help you determine if it’s the perfect addition for your collection.

What is the 1972 Silver Dollar?

The 1972 Silver Dollar is a coin that the U.S. Government originally minted between 1971 and 1978. As the name suggests, its monetary value is $1. Frank Gasparro designed the coin when he was the chief engraver at the U.S. Mint.

The original purpose of the coin was to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Apollo moon landing. For this reason, many people refer to the 1972 Silver Dollar as the Eisenhower Dollar.

On one side of the coin is a portrait of President Dwight Eisenhower, facing right. On the other side, you’ll find a mission insignia of the Apollo 11 – the first spacecraft to land on the moon, in 1969.

As with many coins produced by the U.S. Mint, you can find variations of the 1972 Silver Dollar. Since the government minted the coin for around eight years, different production stages utilized other dies. These included alteration of various design elements and features, all of which now play a role in the value of the 1972 Silver Dollar as a collectible.

In fact, three primary varieties of the 1972 Silver Dollar are available to collectors, each variety and its date determining the value of that specific coin.

These coins are no longer in circulation, so you’re unlikely to come across a 1972 Silver Dollar unless you’re searching for one. If you think this is the type of silver coin that you’d like to add to your collection, you’ll need to find a supplier or collector.

Who Was Dwight D. Eisenhower?

If you’re planning on collecting the 1972 Silver Dollar, it’s essential to learn more about this unique coin’s primary influence – U.S. President Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower. While the Apollo moon landing is also a significant feature on the reverse face, the Dwight Eisenhower portrait is the defining characteristic of the coin.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States of America, serving his two terms between 1953 and 1961. Before becoming President, he had become famous as a five-star general in the U.S. Army during World War II. He later gained a reputation for his disapproval of the United States’ military spending during the post-war period.

Despite a minor recession in 1958, Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency aligned with a period of economic success, which historians largely attribute to the prosperity resulting from the post-war period. He oversaw the racial desegregation of schools and a variety of other Civil Rights initiatives during his presidency.

His popularity as a post-war President and a five-star general is part of aura of the 1972 Silver Dollar and collectors’ fervor over it. Still, many collectors also buy the coin because of its relation to the first moon landing.

Which 1972 Silver Dollar is Rare?

While collectors look for a variety of 1972 Silver Dollars, a few particular varieties can command a higher price. Let’s explore two of the rarest options.

1976 Bicentennial Type 1 and 2 Reverse

While this coin isn’t necessarily “rare,” it is a favorite among collectors. The coin has a different thickness from other coins in the lettering of the words “United States of America.”

1972 Type 2 Reverse Uncirculated

Another popular 1972 Silver Dollar is the 1972 Type 2 Reverse Uncirculated. This coin has three subtypes – one, two, and three. If you want the most expensive one, you’ll need to find a type “two.”

Does Mint Mark Matter?

If you’re new to silver coin investing, you might be unaware that the U.S. Mint has had several locations throughout the country, so different coins have come from particular mints. These include:

• Denver, Colorado
• Fort Knox, Kentucky
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• San Francisco, California
• Washington, DC
• West Point, New York

The 1972 Silver Dollars had three separate minting locations. To determine the mint location of your 1972 Silver Dollar, you need to look at the “mint mark,” which you can find on the obverse of the coin, near the date.

For San Francisco, there will be an “S.” For Denver, there will be a “D.” For coins that were minted in Philadelphia, you won’t find any mint mark at all.

Mint marks can be significant to collectors, so it’s essential to check which mint your coin came from before you make a purchase.

Why Collect Silver Coins?

Most coin collectors have different reasons for collecting silver coins. Silver has long been used as a currency, dating back to the silver drachmas of Ancient Greece more than two millennia ago, which makes it a popular choice for many collectors. In the United States, the U.S. Mint used 90% silver to create dimes, quarters, half-dollars and silver dollars until 1964, when the nation began only using silver for special commemorative coins and not for circulating ones.

While silver coins carry value because of their rarity and other factors, be sure to consider the coins’ silver quantity. For many investors in bullion, buying silver and gold coins is an excellent way to invest in precious metals. While silver bars also have allure, silver coins offer the best of both worlds – as a “store of value” and as a collectible.

If you’re planning on investing in an extensive silver coin collection, be sure to learn about the other factors that influence the price. Below, we explore why silver is a popular precious metal with so many worldwide investors.

• It’s Finite: Unlike typical currency, which a mint can print on command, silver is a finite resource that workers must mine from the ground. While the earth contains much more silver than gold, it’s still considered to be a precious metal.
• It Has Technological Applications: Silver has a range of technological applications that ensure its demand outside of investment and collectible coins. For example, solar panels require the extensive use of silver as a strong conductor. Technological applications can increase the price of silver and ensure a healthy marketplace for trading the metal.
• It’s Traditionally a Store of Value: Another reason that so many people enjoy collecting silver coins is its renown as a “store of value” by people globally. As one of the most popular precious metals in which to invest, central banks worldwide hold silver.

With so many additional benefits, it’s no wonder that collecting silver coins like the 1972 Silver Dollar has become a popular option with many investors.

Does Condition Matter?

One of the most common questions we receive from new coin collectors is: “Does coin condition matter?” If you’re searching for the rarest and most valuable coins on the market, the coin’s condition does play a major role. Experts have two primary classifications for coins – circulated and uncirculated.

Circulated coins are coins that have been in public circulation as currency – they typically have signs of wear and use. For 1972 Silver Dollars, circulated coins can have significant signs of use since they’re almost 50 years old.

On the other hand, uncirculated coins are coins that don’t have signs of use or wear. These are coins that have either remained in coin shops or personal collections.

So, which one is worth more? Uncirculated coins are typically worth much more than circulated coins. If you can find a 1972 Silver Dollar that has no signs of wear, it’s much more collectible than circulated alternatives. We recommend that collectors look for 1972 Silver Dollars that have as little wear as possible – it shouldn’t be hard to find some variations of this coin in good condition.

Explore Our Wide Range of Precious Metals

Now that you know the value of a 1972 Silver Dollar, it’s time to determine if this might be the best coin for your collection. Doing as much research as possible about your particular coin variety is always a good idea before you make any financial decisions. If you want to find a coin that has more value than standard 1972 Silver Dollars, you will likely need to do more digging – especially if you want an uncirculated one.

Still, compared to other valuable collectible coins on the market, the 1972 Silver Dollar is an affordable entry-level coin if you’re just starting your coin collection journey.

If you want to collect silver coins or invest in bullion, we recommend that you explore our various precious metal options. At the Oxford Gold Group, we have years of experience providing gold, silver, and other precious-metal-investment opportunities to a wide variety of clients. If you’d like more information about silver coins or precious metals, please contact us today to speak to a specialist!