1974 Silver Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
Learn how the 1974 silver dollar value is appraised by the experts through our detailed guide below. With the help of our article, you are given the opportunity to gain knowledge on the different silver dollar varieties according to their mint mark.
Likewise, we will cover the common errors associated with these silver dollars to improve your grasp of the coin series. So, let’s kick off with a summary of the current valuations and see the differences in the rates.
1974 Silver Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | MS 60 | MS 65 | MS 67 | PR 70 |
| 1974 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value | $2.50 | $40 to $55 | $8,000 to $9,200 | ― |
| 1974 D Silver Dollar Value | $2 | $18 to $30 | $1,600 to $2,300 | ― |
| 1974 S Silver Dollar Value (clad) | $4 to $13 | ― | ― | ― |
| 1974 S Silver Dollar (silver) | $10 | $12 to $20 | $30 to $52 | ― |
| 1974 S Silver Dollar Value (proof) | ― | ― | ― | $500 |
1974 No Mint Mark Silver Quarter Value
As part of the Eisenhower coin series, the 1974 silver dollars were issued to honor the centennial birth of David Eisenhower. He was a renowned military officer who served as the country’s 34th president from 1954 up until 1961. Eisenhower was widely known by the public as Ike, hence the Ike dollars.
So, after the death of Eisenhower, the legislators wanted to reinstate the one-dollar coin, which was stopped in 1935. Because it’s been over three decades since the last one-dollar series (Peace Dollar), the approval of the design proposals took a while.
More so, there were some issues surrounding the coin production, specifically about the component to be used. Some proposed the usage of silver while others opted for the usual metal elements like copper and nickel.
Since 1935, the US Mint halted the production of a silver dollar coin and this was fully enacted in 1964. After a series of consultations, the government has decided to produce two types―clad composition and 40% silver composition. The former was allocated for circulation while the latter was meant for collectors.
With the approval of the Eisenhower dollars, production commenced in 1971. The obverse design encompassed a left-facing portrait of Eisenhower, along with the well-known motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the year of minting.
For 1974 silver dollars with no mint mark, these were struck in Philadelphia. A total of 27,366,000 coins were produced in the city and these were designated for public use.
And for the reverse features, including some of the relevant elements of the country. At the center of the coin is the famous American bald eagle, which represents both freedom and strength. The eagle is grasping two olive branches, symbolizing peace.
If you look closely, the eagle is perched on a crater-like surface to portray the very first landing of Apollo 11 on the moon. Other inscriptions on the back side are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the top and “QUARTER DOLLAR” below.
The value of Philadelphia-minted silver dollars for this year varies according to their condition. MS 60 coins would normally sell for only $2.50 while MS 65 could settle between $40 to $55. And for high-graded quarters, you’d be surprised because these are already considered rare.
In fact, an MS 67 coin can be traded for a hefty amount, starting from $8,000 to $9,200! Therefore, you should take a closer look at your 1974 silver dollar because this might just be a sought-after item to boost your collection!
1974 D Silver Dollar Value
Denver is another top minting location, producing 45,517,000 silver dollars in 1974. Since these coins were circulated publicly, the starting value for these specimens isn’t that high. Often than not, collectors would only pay at least $2 up to $30.
However, the price significantly increases if you’ve got an MS 67 grade, which is a coin that has retained its original luster with sharp features. In general, these higher-grade coins are estimated to be around $1,600 to $2,300.
Although this is the normal price range for this grade, a certain MS 67 piece from Denver was purchased for a whopping amount of $6,600 back in 2021. Without a doubt, this coin could be very valuable despite not having silver in the coin composition.
Both Philadelphia and Denver were assigned to produce clad 1974 dollars. Therefore, Denver followed the standard clad composition, which is 75% copper and 25 % nickel. With the materials at hand, the weight of the coins is approximately 22.68 grams.
Since these are Eisenhower dollars, the design is the same as other Eisenhower coin specimens designed by Frank Gasparro. It contains an image of former president Dwight Eisenhower, together with other relevant American symbols like the American bald eagle, olive branches, and the moon.
Likewise, the mottos and other relevant words found on the Philadelphia-minted silver dollars are retained. These include “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The only difference would be the mint mark. The small letter “S” is located above the year of minting, right below the neck portion of the portrait.
It’s important that you check this key mark to distinguish Denver-minted coins from those struck in Philadelphia and San Francisco. Why? Because the mint mark largely influences the value of the coin, along with some unique features like errors and such.
1974 S Silver Dollar Value
Now, we have the last variation of 1974 silver dollars, which were pieces minted in San Francisco. Unlike those struck in Philadelphia and Denver, the city of San Francisco manufactured a diverse collection of silver quarters.
There were actually categorized into three―1974 S silver dollar (clad), 1974 S Silver Dollar (proof), and 1974 S DCAM silver dollar (40% silver). To better understand these classifications, let’s discuss them one by one.
First on the list are the 1974 S dollar coins that were made of the usually clad composition, featuring nickel and copper. There were over 2.6 million clad Ike dollars in the said year, and these were circulated publicly. Because these coins were widely used for daily transactions, the value of the coins is not that high.
An MS 60 would only sell for $10 while an MS 65 is traded between $12 to $20. On the other hand, MS 67 coins are pretty fascinating among collectors, hence getting appraised for around $30 to $52.
Moving forward, the next category is the silver dollar, which contains 40% silver and 60% copper. Since silver is incorporated into the composition, the weight now varies, from the usual 22.68 grams to the heavier 24.59 grams.
In 1974, San Francisco released more than 1.9 million Ike silver coins, which were generally not circulated in the market. Since most of these coins were uncirculated, the rate relatively increases.
For instance, you have an MS 60 coin. According to experts, the usual starting price is $10. Conversely, an MS 65 would work around $12 to $20 while an MS 67 can be traded for $30 to $52.
Yet even with the usual price range, collectors are willing to pay more just to score this unique piece. In fact, some people are ready to shell out at least $5,500 or even up to $7,000 for this coin. There’s even a 1974 S dollar with an MS68+ grade that was purchased for a shocking price of $13,513.
The last type of 1974 S silver dollars is the proof specimen. In total, San Francisco created over 1.3 million proof coins that were directed for coin collection. Since these were generally minted for collectors, you might have a hard time getting a hold of these pieces.
But if you’re lucky, the normal value is way higher compared to other coins. A PR70 coin would normally be $500 or more. In 2001, a collector purchased a proof silver dollar for $2,300 while someone also paid $4,600 during an auction in 2007. Thus, make sure you keep an eye on these coins in the future.
1974 Silver Dollar Grading
Several elements influence the grading of a coin. For one, it gives emphasis to the physical characteristics, whether or not it has retained its original luster. Likewise, marks due to wear impact the valuation. While these are the general factors to consider, there are other relevant aspects when valuing a 1974 silver dollar.
These include the mint location. If you look closely, high-grade Philadelphia-minted coins are very pricey, as are silver-clad coins from San Francisco. Lastly, you also should check the flaws of the coin because these positively impact its value.
1974 Silver Dollar Error Lists
A couple of errors were documented for some 1974 silver dollars. And these were generally common ones, from off-center to broad-strike issues. However, there were also some that are quite unique. So, let’s take a deep dive into these imperfections that are relevant factors when valuing a coin.
1. 1974 Silver Dollar Off-center
When coins have off-center errors, these typically evolve into sought-after pieces among collectors. And for off-center 1974 silver dollars, many are willing to pay at least $500 to $2,000 to acquire this piece. However, you should take note that the percentage of the misalignment from the center is crucial.
Experts and dealers are more interested in coins with more than 50% off-center outline because of their uniqueness. Also, the coin should contain the minting year for it to be valuable.
2. 1974 Silver Dollar Broad-strike
Wider dimensions, raised rims, and no reeds―these are the common features of a 1974 silver dollar with a broad-strike error. Because these issues in production altered the standard coin design, it becomes a distinct coin. This is the reason why a lot of collectors are fascinated to have this piece for at least $700.
3. 1974 Silver Dollar Double Die
Double die errors are surely a popular mistake in most US coin productions. The impact of the mishap, however, varies accordingly. Some have slightly doubled the portrait of Eisenhower while others have two strong outlines of the moon crater or even the lettering.
If the doubling of the designs is very prominent, then a coin is considered valuable. Most dealers would price these coins around $100 to $500.
4. 1974 D Silver Dollar Struck on a Silver Planchet
To reiterate, Denver Mint only produced clad 1974 one-dollar coins, which means there was no silver in the material composition. However, there were some Ike dollars that had issues with the incorrect planchet. So, instead of the usual nickel and copper combo, it used copper and silver.
Due to the rarity of this mishap, these coins are dubbed as inimitable, hence sold at a costlier price. Collectors appraise these coins for around $8,000.
1974 Silver Dollar FAQ
1. How much is a 1974 silver dollar coin worth?
To determine the value of a 1974 silver dollar, you should consider not just the condition of the coin but also the errors on the surface.
For no mint marks, these would roughly be around $2.50 to $55. Denver-struck coins, on the other hand, are quite cheaper, perhaps between $2 to $30. And lastly, San Francisco coins could be pretty much expensive, normally $4 to $52, although some would reach a couple of thousand dollars.
2. Is a 1974 silver dollar coin valuable?
When we talk about the rarity of the coin, there are several things that affect the perception of experts. These include the physical appearance as well as the material composition. But if we set aside these elements, a 1974 silver dollar is not considered valuable, especially the circulated ones.
It may generally follow its face value, though some would be priced higher if these are in mint state. However, since not all have the same features and some may have flaws due to production, then this could become the turning point for a 1974 silver dollar coin to become rare and valuable.
3. Is a 1974 silver dollar real silver?
During the year 1974, only certain coins from San Francisco had silver in their composition. And yes, the 40% silver is real. Meanwhile, the remaining 60% is made out of copper. On the other hand, Denver and Philadelphia made use of the normal clad composition, which means there no silver.
