1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

If you are a collector or simply curious about rare coins, you may have heard of the Bicentennial Silver Dollar. This iconic coin was created in 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States of America’s independence. Its unique design sets it apart from the regular Eisenhower Dollar.

The Bicentennial Silver Dollar has become a highly sought-after item by collectors due to its historical significance and beauty. But how much do you really know about this coin?

In this blog, we will delve into the history of the Bicentennial Silver Dollar, explore its grading, varieties, and errors, and discover why it has become a prized possession among collectors.

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Value Chart
Grade	Composition	Mint Mark	Price
PR70 DCam Type 1	Cupronickel	S (San Francisco)	$7,657
MS66+ Type 1	Cupronickel	None (Philadelphia)	$5,640
MS67 Type 2	Cupronickel	None (Philadelphia)	$6,000
MS69 Type 1	40% Silver	S (San Francisco)	$4,560
MS66 Type 1	Cupronickel	None (Philadelphia)	$3,360
PR70 DCam Type 2	Cupronickel	S (San Francisco)	$2,400
MS66+ Type 2	Cupronickel	None (Philadelphia)	$646
PR66Cam Type 2	40% Silver	None (Spivack)	$850,000
PR70 Type 1	Cupronickel	S (San Francisco)	$25,000
MS67 Type 1	Cupronickel	D (Denver)	$8,813
AU55 Type 2	Clad on Silver (Error)	D (Denver)	$8,000
MS67 Type 1	Cupronickel	D (Denver)	$11,000

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar No Mint Mark Value

The Bicentennial Silver Dollar, part of the Eisenhower Dollars series, is a special edition coin minted to commemorate the United States 200th anniversary in 1976. Frank Gasparro, who was also responsible for the obverse and reverse designs of other coins, including the Susan B. Anthony dollar, designed the coin.

The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission devised a strategy to honor the historic occasion. After a competition involving 884 contestants, Dennis R. Williams was chosen as the winner for the reverse image of the Bicentennial Dollar. They were each awarded a $5,000 prize and were present at the Philadelphia Mint for the ceremonial striking of the prototypes of the coins bearing their designs in August 1974.

This silver dollar comprises 60% copper and 40% silver alloy and has a fineness of 0.4. Its weight is 24.59g, and its diameter is 38.1mm with a reeded edge. The Bicentennial Silver Dollar has a higher melt value than the copper-nickel-clad version, with a melt value of $7.37 as of March 26, 2023.

The San Francisco Mint was responsible for striking most of these coins. Typically, the mint mark “S” is situated on the right side of the demarcation line of Eisenhower’s bust. Nevertheless, it’s essential to keep in mind that not all coins with the “S” mint mark are Bicentennial Silver Dollars, as the San Francisco mint also strikes clad dollar pieces bearing the mint mark.

The Bicentennial Dollar set features silver and copper-nickel coins, and it’s essential to identify the silver ones to create a complete set. The Bicentennial Silver Dollar is composed of silver and has a face value of one dollar.

The distinctive features of the Bicentennial Silver Dollar include the Liberty Bell and Moon image on the obverse and the “1776-1976” double date notation on the lower rim beneath the portrait.

On the reverse, the coin reflects the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” caption on the upper two-thirds of its rim above the design, with the “E PLURIBUS UNUM” inscription on the lower right side of the Liberty Bell and the designer initials “DRW” just below the base of the bell.

The Bicentennial Silver Dollar coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. To properly appraise a Bicentennial Silver Dollar, it’s crucial to check for any signs of wear, such as scratches, scuffs, or nicks.

Since Bicentennial Silver Dollar coins were a special commemorative issue designed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, they were intended as collector’s items and were not meant to be used in everyday commerce.

Instead, they were typically sold in sets that included other Bicentennial coins, such as half dollars and quarters, which were also minted with a special double date (1776-1976) to mark the occasion. One way to determine if you have a Bicentennial Silver Dollar is to check the coin’s packaging. These coins were usually sold in sets with other collector’s items.

Additionally, Bicentennial Silver Dollars often had a unique design or finish, such as a mirror-like proof finish, that set them apart from the more common copper-nickel-clad Bicentennial coins intended for circulation.

While Bicentennial Silver Dollars are not especially rare, they can be valuable to collectors, mainly if they are in excellent condition and come with the original packaging. As with any coin, the value of a Bicentennial Silver Dollar depends on various factors, including its condition, rarity, and historical significance. However, if you are interested in collecting coins, a Bicentennial Silver Dollar can be a fascinating addition to your collection and a reminder of an important moment in American history.

The value of 1776-1976 Eisenhower Dollars can vary greatly depending on their condition and composition. For circulated coins, their value is generally between $7.75 and $9. Meanwhile, uncirculated silver dollar coins can sell for up to $5850 on the open market.

Moreover, the melt value of these coins is constantly equivalent to, or greater than, the value of the silver present within them, which currently stands at $7.34 as of March 2023.

The price of the 1776-1976 silver dollar can elevate to approximately $24. In contrast, the 1776-1976 proof silver dollar, which had a mintage of 4,000,000 units, is estimated at $20 when in PR 65 condition.

Understanding the condition and composition of a 1776-1976 Eisenhower Dollar can be essential in determining its value, as it can vary significantly based on these factors.

1776 to 1976 Silver D Dollar Value

The 1976-D Dollar coin has a composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel and weighs 22.68 grams with a diameter of 38.1 mm. It features a portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse side, while the reverse side depicts the Liberty Bell and the Moon, designed by Dennis R. Williams.

The coin’s edge is reeded, adding to its durability and appeal. Although the mintage of the 1976-D Dollar was 113,038,000, making it a common coin, it is still highly sought after by collectors due to its historical significance.

It should be noted that the 1976-D Dollar comes in two different varieties: Type I and Type II. The Type I dollars were minted in 1975 and showcased the Bicentennial design created by Dennis R. Williams. The Philadelphia Mint produced just 4,019,000 Type I clad dollars without a mintmark. Presently, Type I dollars hold a value of approximately $2 in circulated condition and $12-20 in uncirculated grade.

It is worth noting that a fascinating aspect of the 1976 Type I clad Bicentennial dollar coin is its most valuable version, which is an error resulting from a 1976 Bicentennial dollar design being struck with the 1976 quarter. This error coin fetched an impressive price of $28,200 in 2014.

Conversely, the Type II dollar coins showcase sharper, more polished lettering on the reverse side. It is commonly believed that Type II dollars were minted in response to criticisms of the Type I design, which was deemed too intricate and lacking refinement.

Type II dollars were produced in much larger quantities than Type I dollars, with 113,318,000 coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint without a mintmark. Type II clad dollar coins presently have a value of approximately $1 in heavily circulated grades and between $4-10 in standard uncirculated conditions.

1776 to 1976 Silver S Dollar Value

The 1976-S Eisenhower Dollar coin features a portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse and a depiction of the Liberty Bell and the Moon on the reverse, designed by Dennis R. Williams.

The 1976-S Dollar has the same composition, weight, diameter, and edge as the regular 1976 Eisenhower Dollar. The mintage of the 1976-S Dollar is significantly lower than the regular version, making it more valuable, especially in higher grades.

The coin was struck in both uncirculated and proof finishes. The proof coins were more collectible due to their mirror-like surface. In addition, the San Francisco Mint also produced special 3-piece sets containing 40% silver Bicentennial dollars for collectors, which are also highly sought after by numismatists.

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Grading

Coins are usually rated on a scale of 1 to 70, where “1” denotes a coin with little to no value, only fit to occupy space, while “70” signifies a coin in a pristine mint condition. The higher the coin’s rating, the more valuable it becomes.

Rare 1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Error Lists

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Clipped Planchet Error

Such errors occur when the long strips of blank metal are misfed into the blanking press, causing the blanks cut from the sheet to be imperfectly circular. This results in the creation of an off-center strike, which can take on different forms.

If the punch overlaps the leading edge of the metal, it creates a straight or irregular clip. The type of clip created depends on whether the punch hits the side of the metal sheet or the trailing edge.

On the other hand, if a punch hits an area of the metal strip that overlaps a hole from a previous punch, it creates a curved or bowtie clip. These errors are often found on Eisenhower dollars, with prices ranging from $30 to $40.

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Multiple Strikes Error

In the process of producing coins, sometimes a struck coin isn’t ejected from the collar and instead receives a second or third strike by the dies. This results in a multiple-struck coin which can have various combinations of errors.

This mint error differs from doubled dies and is highly valued by collectors, with prices for the 1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar starting at $1,000 or more. The value depends on the number of strikes, the alignment of the strikes, and the resulting design elements.

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar Blank Planchet Error

A blank planchet error happens when a circular metal disk intended to be stamped into a completed coin, is overlooked during the minting process. These blanks can be completely smooth or have a rim already in place. When these blank planchets are accidentally struck, they create unique and rare coins collectors often seek.

1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar FAQ

Where is the mint mark on a 1776-1976 silver dollar?

The mint marks “D” and “S” can be found on the obverse of the Eisenhower dollar beneath Eisenhower’s bust, denoting the Denver and San Francisco Mints, respectively. However, coins minted in Philadelphia do not feature a mint mark.

How can you tell if a silver dollar is worth the money?

The value of a silver dollar can be determined based on two primary factors: its melt value and its rarity. The melt value is based on the amount of silver within the coin. It can be calculated approximately based on the current value of the precious metal.

Conversely, rarity is determined by the coin’s scarcity and can significantly impact its value. Collectors often seek out rare silver dollars and are willing to pay a premium for them.

How much is a 1776 dollar worth?

As per historical data, $1 in 1776 equals approximately $34.58 in present-day purchasing power. This means that there has been an increase of $33.58 over a period of 247 years. The average inflation rate of the dollar during this period was 1.44% per year, leading to a cumulative price increase of 3,357.93%.