Type 1, Clad

Ron Guth: These were the "Ike" Dollars made for regular circulation, thus they contain the same metal alloys as the other copper-nickel "clad" coins of lower denominations. Despite mintages in the tens and scores of millions, the Ike Dollar rarely appeared in circulation and was considered more of a nuisance since most cashiers' drawers did not contain a space for them. Nonetheless, they remain very popular with collectors. All of the dates in this series are extremely common in both Proof and Mint State. Variety collectors note three different reverse types, with all three of them used to produce the 1972-dated dollars at the Philadelphia Mint (see individual dates for explanations and attribution guides). High-grade examples are very scarce because most were not well-made to begin with, they clanged against each other in bags, and the wide-open, low-relief surfaces are particularly vulnerable to attack. For new collectors, the Eisenhower Dollar is a perfect starter coin and it remains one of the most popular coins on the PCGS Set Registry.