1976 Silver Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
Are you curious about the 1976 silver dollar value? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
The 1976 silver dollar coin is a popular collector’s item and can be quite valuable. Depending on its condition, from “Good” to “Fine” to “Extremely Fine” to “Uncirculated,” it can really range in value and be quite an interesting coin to add to your stash.
In this blog post, we will discuss the history and features of this coin as well as its current market value. We will also look at any errors or rare versions (varieties) that exist that are more valuable than others.
Ready to learn more? Then let’s get started!
1976 Silver Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1976 No Mint Mark Dollar Value – Type 1 | / | / | / | $10 | n/a |
| 1976 No Mint Mark Dollar Value – Type 2 | / | / | / | $6.81 | n/a |
| 1976 D Dollar Value – Type 1 | / | / | / | $6.81 | n/a |
| 1976 D Dollar Value – Type 2 | / | / | / | $6.81 | n/a |
| 1976 S Dollar Value – Type 1 | / | / | / | / | $14 |
| 1976 S Silver Dollar Value – Type 1 | / | / | / | / | $9.36 |
| 1976 “No S” Silver Dollar Value – Type 2 | / | / | / | / | / |
Value By Mint Mark
The 1976 silver dollar is a beautiful coin that features a portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse side, and the Liberty Bell in front of the moon in the background on the reverse. The reason they chose to show the moon was because of Eisenhower’s influence in beginning the space program in the United States – his work led the United States’ astronauts to land on the moon.
Interestingly, this coin was produced in both 1975 and 1976, as a tribute to the bicentennial celebration of the country. This means that the coins can be found with a “Bicentennial” date: 1776 – 1976. Also, this means that there were no Eisenhower silver dollars produced with the date “1975.”
There were two major varieties of the 1976 silver dollar – Type 1 and Type 2. However, within the two types, there were subtypes, including those with low relief and those with high relief.
Let’s take a look at each:
1976 No Mint Mark Dollar Value – Type 1, Low Relief, Bold Lettering
The first type of 1976 silver dollar was the Type 1, low relief, and bold lettering. Featuring a dignified image of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the front and an impressive representation of the Liberty Bell in front of the moon on the back, this coin is sure to be a treasured keepsake for years to come.
This no mint mark variety was minted in Philadelphia with a relatively low mintage of 4,019,000. Designed by Dennis R. Williams, the coin is composed of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel – so not even composed of silver! It has a diameter of 38.1 millimeters and a weight of 22.68 grams.
As described in its variety name, this coin has a relatively low relief of Eisenhower, the Liberty Bell, and the Moon, but the lettering is bold – appearing to be wider, more square-shaped lettering.
In “Good,” “Fine,” and “Extremely Fine” conditions, these coins are worth their face value, which is $1. However, if you find one that is “Uncirculated,” it could be worth about $10!
1976 No Mint Mark Dollar Value – Type 2, High Relief, Delicate Lettering
The second type of 1976 silver dollar was the Type 2, high relief, and delicate lettering. It’s almost identical to the previous type, except that it has a slightly higher relief on Eisenhower, the Liberty Bell, and the moon. Additionally, its lettering is more delicate – appearing more narrow than on Type 1 coins.
This coin was produced with a mintage of 117,337,000 at the Philadelphia mint, which is quite a bit more than the Type 1 no mint mark. As with most other Bicentennial dollars from this year, it is composed of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel and weighs 22.68 grams with a diameter of 38.1 millimeters.
If you discover a coin in “Good,” “Fine,” or even “Extremely Fine” condition, it is worth $1. But if the same coin happens to be listed as “Uncirculated”, then its value could rise up to $6.81!
1976 D Dollar Value – Type 1, Low Relief, Bold Lettering
The 1976 D dollar is the Type 1, low relief, and bold lettering variety of this coin. It was minted in the Denver Mint with a mintage of 21,048,710 – way more than the Type 1 no mint mark type but still much less than the Type 2 no mint mark variety. Also designed by Dennis R. Williams, this coin weighs 22.68 grams and has a diameter of 38.1 millimeters.
Just like the no mint mark variety, it contains a low relief on both the obverse and the reverse, and the block lettering is larger.
In “Good,” “Fine,” or “Extremely Fine” condition they are worth their face value of $1 each; however, if you find a 1976 D dollar coin that is listed as “Uncirculated,” then it could be worth about $6.81, just like the Type 2 no mint mark.
1976 D Dollar Value – Type 2, High Relief, Delicate Lettering
The 1976 D dollar is also available in the Type 2, high relief, and delicate lettering variety. It was minted in Denver with a mintage of 82,179,564 – more than twenty times the amount of the Type 1 no mint mark coin!
With a weight of 22.68 grams and a diameter of 38.1 millimeters, it has exactly the same measurements as all other Bicentennial dollars from this year. The only difference that sets this apart from other varieties is its higher relief level on both the obverse and reverse sides along with its thinner lettering, giving it a sharp design effect.
If you find one in “Good,” “Fine,” or “Extremely Fine” condition then it would be worth its face value of $1. However, if it’s “Uncirculated,” then its value can rise up to $6.81 – the same as with the 1976 D Dollar Type 1 variety.
1976 S Dollar Value – Type 1, Low Relief, Bold Lettering (Proof Coin)
The 1976 S dollar is a Proof coin, with a mintage of only 2,845,450. It was struck at the San Francisco Mint and weighs 22.68 grams with a diameter of 38.1 millimeters – measurements that are identical to all other Bicentennial dollars from this year.
Just like the Type 1 no mint mark variety and the Type 1 Denver variety, this coin has a low relief on both sides along with bold lettering. However, as a Proof coin, it has a highly shiny surface and so appears slightly different from the other coins.
Proof coins often have higher collectible value than circulating coins since they were originally made for collectors. If you find one in pristine condition, then your 1976 S dollar Type 1 Proof can be worth up to $14!
1976 S Dollar Value – Type 2, High Relief, Delicate Lettering (Proof Coin)
The 1976 S dollar Proof is also available in the Type 2, high relief, and delicate lettering variety. This coin was also struck at the San Francisco Mint but with a slightly larger mintage of 4,149,730 – around the same amount as the Type 1 no mint mark coins!
It has exactly the same measurements as all other Bicentennial dollars from this year; however, its higher relief level on both sides along with its narrower lettering gives it a sharper look. And of course, the Proof finish causes this coin to appear almost mirror-like.
As for value, if you manage to find this coin in mint condition, then your 1976 S Dollar Type 2 Proof could be worth around $9.36!
1976 S Silver Dollar – Type 1, Low Relief, Bold Lettering
Interestingly, the San Francisco Mint also produced some 1976 S dollar coins composed of silver clad. This means they were 40% silver and 60% copper. Around 11,000,000 of these coins were produced with this date: “1776 – 1976“.
It has a low relief on both sides along with bold lettering just like the Type 1 no mint mark coin; however, it is slightly heavier (24.59 grams) than the all-copper coins for the obvious reason of containing 40% silver. Its value varies depending on its condition – “Good,” “Fine,” or “Extremely Fine” coins are worth their face value of $1 each while an “Uncirculated” one can reach up to $24.
There is also a Proof version of this same coin, and it is worth about $26 in pristine condition! Surprisingly, one such absolutely perfect grade coin actually sold at an auction for a super impressive $25,000!
1976 Silver Dollar – Type 2, “No S” Variety
Finally, there is an extremely rare “no S” variety of the 1976 Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar. This coin was a trial coin and was struck without an “S” mint mark, when future coins of this variety would be.
In addition to that, this trial coin was printed using the Type 2 signature look of a high relief and delicate lettering. This has made this particular coin incredibly rare – only 1 exists worldwide! A coin expert named Mitchell Spivack owns it now. It is truly an incredible piece!
1976 Silver Dollar Grading
When looking to assess the value of a 1976 Eisenhower dollar coin, it is important to first understand the grading process. This process is used to determine the condition of the coin and its overall value. Each coin’s grade can range from “Good” to “Uncirculated”.
A “Good” grade indicates that the coin has extensive wear, scratches, or discoloration. A “Fine” grade coin is slightly better, but it still shows a lot of wear. An “Extremely Fine” grade indicates that there is some wear but still shows a lot of details on all of the features.
A Mint State grade (or “Uncirculated”) means there is little to no wear on the surfaces and all of the details are visible. In order for a 1976 silver dollar coin to reach this level, it must be free from any contact marks or surface abrasions.
Rare 1976 Silver Dollar Error List
Interestingly, if you find a 1976 silver dollar that was struck as an error, then its value could skyrocket to more than hundreds of dollars! So be sure to look out for any unusual features that might reveal it’s a rare error coin.
Let’s look at a couple of error coins that have surfaced over the years:
1976 S Silver Dollar Strike Through Error
One of the more interesting errors known is the “strike through” error. This happens when foreign debris, such as grease or other substances, get stuck between the die and planchet. When it is struck, those objects leave an impression on the coin.
The 1976 S “Ike” dollar with this error was struck through tape, leaving a mark on the reverse of the coin besides the moon. It has a high “Uncirculated” condition, and then sold at an auction for $1,500!
1976 D Dollar Double Strike Error
Another well-known error is the “double strike”. This occurs when a coin is struck twice, leaving an impression of two overlapping images on either side of the coin.
This particular 1976 D Eisenhower dollar with this error was graded “Uncirculated” and had the second strike 80% off center, right over the date! This beautifully unique coin sold for over $700!
1976 Silver Dollar Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we have covered the types, grading and errors of 1976 silver dollars, let’s take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Estimated Value of a 1976 Silver Dollar?
The value of a 1976 Eisenhower silver dollar depends on its condition and type. Coins that are in “Good” to “Extremely Fine” condition are worth their face value ($1) or a little bit more. For coins in “Uncirculated” condition, the estimated value can reach up to $24.
How Do I Know If My 1976 Eisenhower Dollar is Silver?
The 1976 Eisenhower silver dollar is a 40% silver coin. You can tell if your coin is made of silver by looking at its color – it should have a pale gray hue in comparison to other coins. Additionally, the weight of your 1976 dollar should be 24.59 grams, which is heavier than a regular dollar coin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1976 silver dollar value can vary greatly depending on which type and condition the coin is in. Error coins can be quite valuable, too, but they are rare and are often difficult to spot.
Overall, finding a 1976 silver dollar can be quite exciting since all varieties hold some value – from face value up to thousands of dollars for the rarest ones. Be sure to check your collection and see if you have any of these coins on hand! Good luck.
Do you have a 1976 silver dollar? Let us know in the comments below.
