By CoinWeek Notes ….. Updated and Reformatted Feb 2026
Major Mint Error Coin – 1977-D Struck on 40% Silver Planchet
The 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar marked the second-to-last year of the Eisenhower Dollar series. The United States Mint introduced the coin in 1971 to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower. At first, collectors and the public welcomed the large clad dollar as a novelty. However, demand faded quickly.
In fact, the coin struggled in circulation. Most Americans preferred the lighter and more portable $1 Federal Reserve Note. As a result, the large dollar saw limited commercial use. Casinos and parts of the American West used it most often. Elsewhere, the coin rarely appeared in daily transactions.
Meanwhile, Congress and the Mint began to plan a smaller dollar coin. Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro worked for two years on the replacement design. That effort ultimately led to the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, a coin that remains controversial in Mint history.
1977-D Eisenhower Dollar Mintage and Distribution
The Denver Mint struck 32,983,006 circulation-strike 1977-D Eisenhower Dollars. Officials released most examples into circulation in the western United States.
Today, collectors still encounter circulated pieces. Nearly 50 years after release, many examples grade in the Extra Fine (XF) range.
However, Mint Set coins offer stronger quality. The 1977 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set included the 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar. The Mint sold 2,006,869 sets at an issue price of $7.00. Adjusted for inflation, that equals $36.08 in 2024 dollars.
Each set contains $3.82 in face value coins. Surprisingly, the secondary market often prices these sets between $6 and $10 shipped. Therefore, collectors frequently purchase them in quantity. Some buyers break open the packaging, remove the coins, and store them in plastic tubes. This method prevents duplicate purchases when searching for high-grade Eisenhower Dollars.
Outside original Mint packaging and original bank-wrapped rolls, these sets provide the best opportunity to locate Gem Mint State coins.
What Is the 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar Worth?
Most raw 1977-D Eisenhower Dollars trade for small premiums over face value. Condition determines value.
At the top end, certified examples bring significant premiums. Coins graded MS66+ and higher by CAC, NGC, and PCGS attract strong collector interest.
MS66+: Just over 40 examples exist across services. Prices typically reach a few hundred dollars.
MS67: Prices exceed $3,000 for high-end examples. However, this level shows price softness compared to a decade ago. Populations have increased. Still, not every MS67 meets the strict standards of advanced collectors.
Notably, collectors Andy Oskam, James Sego, and Troy Weaver built award-winning sets during the height of competition for top-grade examples.
Market Data (Updated August 2025)
As of August 2025:
- PCGS lists 24 MS67 examples. This figure reflects an increase of seven coins since May 2024.
- NGC lists one MS67+.
- CACG reports two MS67 examples (none stickered separately).
Major Mint Error Coin – 1977-D Struck on 40% Silver Planchet
The most valuable 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar is the famous 40% Silver off-metal error.
Mint workers struck these coins on planchets intended for the San Francisco Mint’s silver Bicentennial coinage. The error ranks #65 on the Garrett/Schechter Top 100 Modern Coins list.
Publications first reported the error in Coin World and Numismatic News in February 1978. Numismatist Walter Breen estimated a population of 15 coins. However, auction records do not confirm that total.
Notable Sales: Silver Planchet Error
- NGC MS63 #5230660-002: Heritage Auctions, May 5, 2022 – $21,600
- NGC MS63 #2039328-001 (24.9g): Editors Note: All three of the coins below are the same coin, just auctioned at different times. Between 2014 and 2022 [6 years]. The coin has doubled in value at auction.
- Heritage Auctions, February 4, 2014 – $12,925
- Heritage Auctions, January 2017 – $17,625
- Heritage Auctions, February 24, 2022 – $26,400
- NGC MS62 #1846247-001 (24.6g): Heritage Auctions, January 12, 2023 – $26,400
- NGC MS62 #2551133-001 (24.16g): Heritage Auctions, March 18, 2011 – $7,475 [Coin Pictured Above]
- PCGS AU55 #3595879: Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2004 – $3,737.50 (certification no longer active)
- NGC AU Details – Scratch #6602116-010 (24.2g): Heritage Auctions, December 21, 2022 – $3,360
Eisenhower Dollar Design
Obverse Design
Frank Gasparro created the obverse portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The design shows Eisenhower facing left.
- LIBERTY arcs above his head.
- IN GOD WE TRUST appears below the chin.
- The date curves along the bottom rim.
- The initials FG appear at the truncation.
Denver and San Francisco coins carry mintmarks above the last two digits of the date. Workers hand-punched mintmarks. Therefore, placement and orientation vary.
Reverse Design
The reverse adapts astronaut Michael Collins’ Apollo 11 mission patch artwork.
At center, a bald eagle descends toward the lunar surface. The eagle holds an olive branch. Above the eagle appears Earth, with North America visible. Thirteen stars encircle the eagle.
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA spans the top.
- E PLURIBUS UNUM appears above the eagle.
- ONE DOLLAR anchors the bottom.
1977-D Eisenhower Dollar Specifications
- Country: United States of America
- Year: 1977
- Denomination: One Dollar (USD)
- Mintmark: D (Denver)
- Mintage: 34,680,000
- Composition: .750 copper, .250 nickel bonded to a pure copper core
- Weight: 22.68 grams
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Designer (Obverse and Reverse): Frank Gasparro
- Strike Type: Business Strike
Final Thoughts
The 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar represents the twilight of America’s large-size dollar coin era. While most examples remain affordable, elite-condition coins command strong premiums. Moreover, the 40% silver off-metal error ranks among the most coveted modern Mint mistakes.
For collectors building high-grade Eisenhower Dollar sets, the 1977-D presents both challenge and opportunity. Careful selection remains essential.
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I have a large collection of Ike dollars and sets I accumulated a number of years ago. Great to read about one again.
Very interesting article on the 1977 Ike dollar.
It’s amazing how much a single coin can be worth.
A coin that I have probably seen in circulation. Probably should have held onto them.
Great article – learned alot. I remember seeing them in circulation and now wish I’d saved them for my collection.
Man! Where was I when these sets were sold
When 1977 mint sets can be found for just $5-$6, it makes sense to pick them up, with the hopes of scoring a high grade Ike dollar from the set. I would love to find one of those silver errors!
Always liked this coin.
i always ask for them when i go to the bank. they never do.
great article…wasn’t aware of the 1977 error
Interesting article
I remember this and have never found one.
Great article! Loved it.
SHOCKING prices for a 1977! :)
Interesting article. I remember when paying for something the checkout clerk was frequently confused and couldn’t figure out what to do with Ike dollar.
As long as the dollar bill is in circulation the dollar coin will always be rejected by users
Another interesting and informative article
One if not the largest American Coin, seen many as a child and held, in
Great Awe? Loved the Eagle and Moon backside another way to
Celebrating our Great Country and President Eisenhower.
I collect Eisenhowers. Great article.
Human error can be valuable..
I have a few of these Eisenhower Dollar coins in my collection. Good article
A great president, a great general, a great highway idea generator (the interstate highway system)
wish I could sell my 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollars …
I like ike!!
Great for collectors, but heavy in the pocket.
The history about these coins just amazes me. Thanks.
Such an underappreciated series.
Did not know this. Interesting.
Looking for Ike dollars. great coin
I still like Ike’s!
I love the Eisenhour Dollar! It’s a plain design, yet elegant. I buy them whenever I can.
great information
Great coin!
I have several books of the Ike coins, I have never been lucky enough to come across the 1977-D silver error coin, however, this article rekindled my curiosity!
As a kid, I loved the heft of the Eisenhower “silver” dollar.
Still do, I guess.
Ikes are great for coffee shop tips. Love that “clunk” they make in the tip jar. But even non-rare examples are getting hard to come by now.
Good looking coin.
I will have to look for the mint error in my collection of Eisenhower Dollars. I believe I have the entire series, maybe. I’m not sure that I didn’t check for this before. I might have read about this mint error in Coin World years ago. Hard to definitively remember.
20-30 years ago I would stop at every bank as I drove around town, and ask for Eisenhower dollars. At one small branch next to a nursing home, the teller sold me a handful of them. I was amazed to see that they appeared to be silver as apposed to the clad nickel that i always was handed, as I thought they only made the nickel clad coins. I chalked it up to a win for silver and stuffed them away. Maybe it’s time to hunt them down and see what I have.
Every time I read these articles, I groan at my stupidity for NOT buying mint sets every year.
Learn something everyday
very good information
New at this
Those are nice coins.
i have several of these.
I have a (very) few in my collection. Nothing worth much, if anything, over fv. But I’m a WWII buff. Ike as the head of the allies in WWII and him raised in my native Kansas make the coin special to me.
This coin was too big, heavy and awkward for general circulation
Wonderful article on Ike
More of novelty coin
Always something new to be learned in these articles!