1973-D Eisenhower Dollar Value: How Much Is Your Coin Worth?

The 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar is worth anywhere from its $1 face value in circulated condition to over $3,500 in high-grade mint state. Most examples found in change today are worth about $1.05 to $2, but certain rare “clads” can fetch a premium among serious collectors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated)	$1.00 – $2.00
Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-63)	$3.00 – $8.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65)	$15.00 – $35.00
Rare High Grade (MS-67+)	$500 – $3,500+

History and Significance of the 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar

The Eisenhower Dollar, or “Ike” as it’s affectionately known, was minted to honor both President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Apollo 11 moon landing. 1973 was a unique year for this series. Unlike the massive mintages of 1971 and 1972, the 1973-D (minted in Denver) was not officially released into general circulation. It was only available in official Uncirculated Mint Sets.

If you have found a 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar in your pocket change or an old jar, it likely originated from one of these sets and was later spent. Because these coins weren’t meant to be used in daily commerce, they are slightly harder to find than other dates. If you are unsure if your coin is a Denver strike or something else, using a top coin identifier app can help you spot the “D” mint mark and determine the coin’s scarcity instantly.

Many people mistakenly believe that all Eisenhower dollars are made of silver. However, the 1973-D is a copper-nickel clad coin. It consists of an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core. Despite the lack of precious metal, collectors still hunt for the 1973-D because it is a “key date” for those trying to complete a full set of Eisenhower dollars.

If you’re just starting your collection, the CoinKnow app is a fantastic resource. It helps hobbyists track their inventory and see real-time price trends for “Big Ikes.” Knowing the historical context of these massive coins makes the hobby much more rewarding for everyday Americans.

Determining the 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar Grade

The value of your 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar is almost entirely dependent on its condition, also known as its “grade.” Since these coins are nearly 50 years old, most have picked up scratches, scuffs, and “bag marks” from being stored in mint sets or handled by previous owners.

Coin grading follows a 70-point scale. A coin that looks brand new with a sharp strike and no visible scratches is considered “Mint State” (MS). Most 1973-D dollars fall into the MS-63 to MS-65 range. For those looking for precise data, checking the 1973-D Eisenhower dollar mint state prices is the best way to see how a small jump in technical grade can result in a massive jump in market price.

Grade Description	Condition Qualities
MS-60 (Uncirculated)	No wear, but many scratches and dull luster.
MS-63 (Choice)	Attractive luster with moderate marks.
MS-65 (Gem)	Very few marks, extremely bright mint shine.
MS-67 (Superb Gem)	Virtually perfect to the naked eye; rare for this date.

For the average person holding an Ike dollar, look at Eisenhower’s cheek and the fields (the flat areas) behind his head. If these areas are smooth and shiny, you might have a coin worth getting professionally graded. If the coin is dull and has hundreds of tiny scratches, it is likely only worth its face value.

Identifying the 1973-D Mint Mark and Varieties

The “D” on your coin signifies that it was minted at the Denver Mint. You can find this small letter just above the date, between Eisenhower’s neck and the year 1973. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia. If there is an “S,” it was minted in San Francisco and might actually contain 40% silver.

The 1973-D is strictly a clad coin. However, variety hunters look for “Planchet Defects” or “Die Cracks.” Because the Denver mint produced 1,769,258 of these for the annual mint sets, the quality control was generally higher than coins produced for circulation. This makes “errors” on the 1973-D even more valuable because they are so rare.

Using the CoinKnow app can help you identify these subtle differences. The app allows you to take a photo of your coin and compares it to known varieties. While there are no famous “major” varieties like the 1972 Type 2 Ike, minor doubling on the date or “LIBERTY” can sometimes be found, adding a small premium to the 1973 Eisenhower dollar valuation for specialized collectors.

The Rare Gem: MS-67 and Higher 1973-D Dollars

While most 1973-D dollars sell for less than $10, the market for “Gem” condition coins is explosive. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC have only certified a handful of 1973-D dollars in MS-67 or higher. When these appear at major auctions, the price can skyrocket into the thousands of dollars.

The reason for this price disparity is “condition rarity.” Even though nearly 2 million were made, they were often packaged in plastic that could scratch the surface over decades. Finding one that has survived in pristine condition is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Auction Date	Grade	Sold Price
August 2021	PCGS MS-67+	$3,840
January 2019	NGC MS-67	$960
June 2022	PCGS MS-66+	$180

As you can see, jumping from MS-66 to MS-67 can increase the value by nearly 2,000%. This is why serious collectors use high-definition magnification and CoinKnow to study luster and surface hits before sending coins in for grading.

Why the 1973-D is Different from the 1973-S

It is vital not to confuse the 1973-D with the 1973-S. The Denver (D) coins were intended for mint sets but are made of copper and nickel. The San Francisco (S) coins were minted in two versions: a “Blue Ike” (Uncirculated 40% silver) and a “Brown Ike” (Proof 40% silver).

If you weigh your 1973-D dollar, it should weigh approximately 22.68 grams. A silver 1973-S will weigh about 24.59 grams. Silver Ikes have a solid white/silver edge, while the 1973-D will show a distinct copper stripe when viewed from the side.

While the 1973-D is a clad coin, its low mintage for a “non-circulating” issue makes it a favorite. If you ever find one in a “Mint Set” (the original plastic packaging from the US Mint), do not remove it! Removing the coin from its original packaging can drastically lower its value by exposing it to air and human touch, which causes tarnishing and oils to damage the surface.

Tips for Selling Your 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar

If you believe you have a high-value 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar, you have several options for selling it. For coins in average condition (worth $1-$5), your best bet is selling to a local coin shop or keeping it as a piece of history. The shipping costs for online sales would likely eat up all your profit.

However, if your coin is in exceptional condition, consider the following steps:
1. Use an app like CoinKnow to get a preliminary sense of the grade.
2. Visit a local coin dealer for a “verbal appraisal.”
3. If the dealer suggests it might be an MS-66 or higher, send it to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.
4. Once slabbed (placed in a protective plastic holder with a grade), you can sell it at auction houses like Heritage Auctions or on eBay for the highest possible price.

Remember, the market for large dollar coins is steady but picky. Collectors want “eye appeal.” A coin with beautiful original toning (colors like blue, gold, or pink) can often sell for more than a blast-white coin of the same grade.

FAQ

Q: Is there a 1973-D Silver Dollar?

A: No. All 1973-D Eisenhower Dollars were struck on copper-nickel clad planchets. Silver Eisenhower dollars were only minted in San Francisco and carry an “S” mint mark.

Q: Why is my 1973-D Dollar worth more than a 1971-D?

A: The 1973-D has a much lower mintage (roughly 1.7 million) compared to the 1971-D (over 68 million). Because it was only issued in Mint Sets, it is harder to find in circulation.

Q: Can I find a 1973-D Ike dollar in a bank roll?

A: It is possible, but very rare. Since they were only sold in sets, a 1973-D in a bank roll was likely “cracked out” of a set and spent by someone who didn’t know its potential collector value.

Q: What is the most expensive 1973-D ever sold?

A: The record is held by a PCGS MS-67+ example that sold for nearly $4,000 at auction. Most high-grade examples (MS-66) sell for around $100 to $200.