1972 S Eisenhower Silver Dollar Proof

Detail
There was quite a bit of controversy leading up to the creation of this proof coin. The mint had begun to make copper-nickel clad coins in 1965 due to the rising cost of bullion, and there were many debates on whether or not to use silver in the Eisenhower coin.

Eisenhower $1 Coin Story and Design
The call for a new $1 coin began in 1969, the last of which had been the Peace dollar series that was discontinued in 1935. When General and President Eisenhower died in March of 1969, Florence Dwyer (a Republican representative) suggested that the new $1 coin honor the memory of this great man. Although met with great approval by the public, the dispute about the use of silver continued. Finally, after a letter from Eisenhower's widow, Mamie Eisenhower, that spoke of her husband's love of giving silver dollars as mementos (plus a feeling from some congressmen and senators that a silver-less coin would be a disgrace to the man), it was finally agreed that a certain amount of proof and uncirculated coins would be made for collectors with a 40% silver content. However the ones for circulation would be of the base metal. Production began in 1971 and ended in 1978.

The design for the Silver Eisenhower $1 was done by Frank Gasparro. The reverse pays tribute to the Apollo XI moon landing, basing the design on a mission patch created by Michael Collins and a few others. It features an eagle clutching an olive branch (the traditional arrows are left out) showing that America seeks to bring peace wherever it goes. The Eagle is hovering over the moon and you can see the earth in the background. 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies encircle the eagle along with inscriptions that read "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (out of many one), and "ONE DOLLAR." The obverse of the coin is the profile of Dwight D. Eisenhower with what appears to be a pleasant expression. "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date (1972) are in the design as well. If you look closely the mint mark "S" for the San Francisco mint, is just below Eisenhower's bust.

The Original Packaging (Brown Box Ike) for the 40% Silver Eisenhower Dollar
This 1972-S 40% Silver Eisenhower $1 proof coin comes in its original packaging and is known as a "Brown Ike." The name refers to the faux woodgrain box (which bears a gold eagle seal) it comes in. In addition, there were "Blue Ike's" made for coin collectors. These were uncirculated coins housed in cellophane that included a blue and silver token with the US Mint logo.

The 1972-S 40% Silver Eisenhower $1 Proof in Original Packaging (Brown Box Ike) celebrates the memory of General and President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was loved by many and played a large role in the Allies victory over the Axis powers in WWII. It also remembers the great accomplishment of the moon landing.

This 1972-S Silver Eisenhower Dollar Original Packaging Brown Box is proudly minted by the U.S. Mint. The United States Mint was founded in 1792 and manufactures circulating, collectible, and bullion coinage.

Specs
Year of Issue: 1972
Mint: U.S. Mint
Mint Mark: S
Branch: San Francisco
Grading Service: Uncertified
Finish: Proof
Packaging: Original Packaging Brown Box
Composition: Silver
Purity: 0.4
Weight in Grams: 9.835 g
Weight in Ounces: 0.3162 oz
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Country: United States
Legal Tender: United States
Currency: Dollar
Denomination: 1