Description

The Eisenhower dollar is a one-dollar coin issued by the United States Mint from 1971 to 1978; it was the first coin of that denomination issued by the Mint since the Peace dollar series ended in 1935. The coin depicts both the death of General Dwight David Eisenhower and man's first landing on the moon (on July 20, 1969). Both its obverse and reverse were designed by the Chief Engraver for the United States Mint Frank Gasparro (FG).

The 1972 dollar struck at Philadelphia is broken down into three varieties, which were made as Gasparro adjusted the design to take advantage of better steel being used in the Mint's dies. The three varieties may be differentiated by examining the depiction of the Earth on the reverse. Type I dollars show the Earth somewhat flattened, Florida pointing to the southeast, with the islands mostly to the southeast of the tip of the peninsula. The Earth is round and Florida points to the south on the Type II, with a single, large island to the southeast. The Type III is similar to the Type II, except that there are two islands directly to the south of the peninsula.

D, S. Located on the obverse beneath Eisenhower's bust. Mint mark omitted on Philadelphia Mint issues.