What Is an Eisenhower Silver Dollar?

Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

The U.S. Mint produced the Eisenhower silver dollar, created in honor of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, from 1971 to 1978. The coin is made of 75-percent copper and 25-percent nickel, although a collector’s version of the coin contains 60-percent copper and 40-percent silver.

Eisenhower coins produced in 1975 and 1976 featured a special bicentennial design on the reverse side. Prior to issuing the Eisenhower silver dollar, the U.S. Mint had not produced a dollar coin since ending production of the Peace silver dollar in 1935. After ending production of the Eisenhower silver dollar, the Mint switched to a new dollar coin design featuring Susan B. Anthony.