Eisenhower & Susan B Anthony Dollar Set BU Ike & SBA Dollars (23 Coins) in Folder LCF6

The Eisenhower or Ike Dollars were struck to commemorate Army General and President Dwight David Eisenhower or Ike, who died in 1969.  The coins also commemorated the Apollo 11 Moon Landing that happened on the same year.  The Ike Dollars where issued from 1971 through 1978.  In 1975 and 1976 special Bicentennial issues were minted however, there are no Eisenhower Dollars dated 1975.  The obverse featured President Eisenhower throughout the series.  The reverse featured the Apollo 11 Mission insignia for all years except 1975 and 1976.  During this time the Bicentennial issues featured the Liberty Bell and the Moon.  The Bicentennial issues also were made in two varieties distinguished by the thickness of the lettering on the reverse.

The Philadelphia and Denver mints struck Copper-Nickel issues while the San Francisco mint struck Silver-Copper issues.  The San Francisco mint also struck proof versions of the Silver-Copper and Copper-Nickel issues.  The Copper-Nickel issues weigh 22.68 grams and were composed of an outer layer of 75% copper, 25% nickel with a center of 100% copper.  The Silver-Copper (Silver Clad) issues weigh 24.59 grams and were composed of an outer layer of 80% silver, 20% copper with a center of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper.  For a total of 40% silver which is .3164 troy ounce.

The Susan B Anthony Dollar was struck by the US Mint from 1979 through 1981 and then again in 1999.  The coin depicts Susan B Anthony, a prominent American civil rights leader.  She was instrumental in the 19th century women's right movement introducing women's suffrage into the US.  The Susan B Anthony Dollar was the first US circulating coin to depict a woman that was not a mythical female icon.  The Susan B Anthony Dollars or 'Susies' failed to circulate well after initial release.  It did not make sense to the general public that the SBA Dollar was smaller and weighed less than the half Dollar.  Also, because of their similar size and similar color the 'Susies' where often mistaken for quarters.  A large number of Susan B Anthony Dollars where minted in 1979.  Because of the poor circulation only a small number of SBA Dollars where minted in 1980 and only Mint sets in 1981.  The Treasury's supply lasted until 1998. The 'Susies' were finally restruck in 1999 due to demand for Dollar coins.  The Susan B Anthony Dollar was replaced the following year with the Sacagawea Dollar.

Chief US Mint Engraver Frank Gasparro designed the coin featuring a depiction of Susan B Anthony on the obverse.  The reverse commemorates the Apollo11 Moon landing with an image of the mission insignia which was also present on the previously issued Eisenhower Dollar.  The Susan B Anthony Dollar also features a hendecagon or 11 sided rim bordering the edge of both sides.  The 11 sided shape matches the shape of the silicon wafer with the Apollo 11 Goodwill Messages left on the Moon's Sea of Tranquility.  The Susan B Anthony Dollar weighs 8.1 grams and has a diameter of 26.5 mm.  It is composed of an outer layer of .750 copper and .250 nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper.  The SBA Dollar also features a reeded edge.