1973 Dollar Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1973 Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $40,250. That record was set by a Grade 67 Silver Proof example sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2008. Upload a photo of yours below and get a quick value range. Then scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what your coin could bring today.

 

1973 Dollar Value By Variety

Use the table below to compare 1973 dollar varieties across grades. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump to the Value Guides section for exact pricing.

Also Read: Eisenhower Dollar Value (1971-1978)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1973 Dollar Worth Money

The all-time king is a 1973-S Silver PR67 that hammered for $40,250 at Heritage Auctions in January 2008. It wasn’t just any proof, though. A 1.73-gram foreign planchet had been pressed into its surface during striking—a major indented planchet error that makes it a completely different kind of rare compared to a standard proof.

An MS69 1973-S Silver brought $17,500, with only a handful slabbed at that level across PCGS and NGC combined. The 1973-D follows at $12,925 in MS67, set at Heritage’s Long Beach sale in June 2013.

A Philadelphia 1973 in MS67 brings $6,600, and the 1973-S Clad PR70 DCAM reaches $5,405. Both are condition rarities—not low-mintage coins, but coins that almost never survived in top shape.

Mint set handling was rough. That’s the whole story. These coins got banged around during production and packaging, so finding one that grades MS67 or better takes real patience.

 

History of The 1973 Dollar

The Eisenhower Dollar launched in 1971 to honor the late president and mark the Apollo 11 moon landing. Production was massive those first two years—116.38 million in 1971 and 168.44 million in 1972.

But the big copper-nickel dollars flopped in everyday commerce. Outside Nevada casinos, nobody used them. A 1974 COINage article described “near-heroic measures on the part of the Mint” to get them into circulation. It didn’t work.

By 1973, the economy was in trouble. Inflation hit 8.8 percent. Nixon had killed gold convertibility in 1971, and the October 1973 Arab oil embargo was about to send oil prices through the roof.

So the Mint changed course entirely. Instead of striking dollars for banks, they produced only about two million from each mint—all for collector sets. First time Ike dollars were sold exclusively to collectors.

Numismatist Clement F. Bailey summed it up in a 1974 COINage piece: “the circulation value of the coin has been nil.” The Federal Reserve didn’t even bother ordering more.

Here’s a fun detail: President Nixon signed bicentennial coinage legislation on October 18, 1973—the law that would eventually put new designs on the quarter, half dollar, and dollar for 1976. That makes the 1973 dollar a transitional piece, squeezed between an ambitious start and an uncertain future.

Researchers John Wexler, Bill Crawford, and Kevin Flynn confirmed that all unsold 1973 Mint sets were melted. Every survivor you see today came directly from a collector purchase.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Is Your 1973 Dollar Rare?

Coin Identifier and Value App reveals instant rarity rankings, showing you exactly where your 1973 dollar stands compared to others in the collector market today.

 

Key Features of The 1973 Dollar

Here’s what to look for when you’re examining a 1973 dollar—whether you’re authenticating one or hunting for varieties.

The Obverse Of The 1973 Dollar

Frank Gasparro designed the obverse from a quick sketch he made in 1945 after catching a glimpse of General Eisenhower during a New York City victory parade. The portrait shows Ike’s left-facing profile with strong, dignified features.

LIBERTY wraps around the top between the rim and Eisenhower’s head. The date 1973 sits at the bottom. IN GOD WE TRUST appears just in front of the president’s neck.

Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark. Look for a small “D” below the bust on Denver pieces and an “S” in the same spot on San Francisco strikes.

One thing worth knowing: Ike Dollar specialist Rob Ezerman has pointed out that original planchet marks on 1973 issues often get mistaken for wear by graders. That’s why you’ll see quality examples come back in lower holders than they probably deserve.

The Reverse Of The 1973 Dollar

Flip it over and you’ll see an eagle—representing the Lunar Module Eagle—swooping low over the Moon’s surface with an olive branch in its claws. The design came directly from astronaut Michael Collins’ Apollo 11 Mission Patch.

Key elements include:

• Eagle in descent: Central figure with left wing raised, clutching an olive branch symbolizing peace
• Lunar surface: Textured moon landscape beneath the eagle
• Earth: Depicted above the eagle’s head with North America prominently visible
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Wraps around the top adjacent to the rim
• E PLURIBUS UNUM: Positioned above the eagle below the ring of stars
• Thirteen stars: Small five-pointed stars circle around the eagle, representing the original colonies
• ONE DOLLAR: Wraps around the bottom of the design

By 1973, the Mint had finally locked in a stable, modified high-relief die used through the rest of the series. The result? A sharper, more consistent reverse than the 1971 and 1972 versions, which went through multiple revisions.

Other Features Of The 1973 Dollar

The standard 1973 and 1973-D dollars feature copper-nickel clad composition—75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper center—weighing 22.70 grams.

The 1973-S silver versions have outer layers of 80% silver and 20% copper with a center of 79% copper and 21% silver, weighing 24.60 grams. That 40% silver content makes them noticeably heavier. You can feel the difference in hand.

All 1973 dollars measure 38.50 millimeters in diameter with a reeded edge. The reeding serves both decorative and anti-counterfeiting purposes.

A big upgrade arrived in 1973: the Mint switched from W-1 die steel to hardened 52100 die steel. You’ll notice crisper strikes on Eisenhower’s hair detail and the eagle’s feathers compared to 1971 and 1972 issues. It also fixed the “die sinking” problem that had plagued the left side of the obverse in the series’ early years.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money List

 

1973 Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia and Denver numbers are nearly identical. Both mints struck roughly 2 million coins, with about 1.9 million surviving—a 94%+ survival rate. That’s what happens when collectors, not banks, handle every single coin.

The S Clad version had the highest mintage at 2,760,339, yet only 81% survive. Apparently not everyone stored their proof sets with the same care.

The 1973-S Silver DCAM started at 1,013,646 struck, with 775,439 tracked today—a 76.5% survival rate. Wexler, Crawford, and Flynn’s research confirmed that unsold Mint set inventory was melted. Every Philadelphia or Denver coin that exists today went straight to a collector.

Here’s the big takeaway: the 1973-S silver proof is widely considered the key date of the entire Eisenhower series. Its mintage just above one million is the lowest of any regular Ike dollar issue. That scarcity shows up directly in prices.

Also Read: Top 40+ Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins Worth Money

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1973 Dollar Value

Start by checking the mintmark—look just above the last two digits of the date, below Eisenhower’s neck. Then examine the coin under good lighting for wear, bag marks, and luster quality using the 1-70 Sheldon grading scale (a scale where 1 means barely identifiable and 70 means absolutely perfect).

Here’s a trap to watch for: 1973 Ikes often show what look like bag marks, but many were actually on the planchet before striking. Researcher Rob Ezerman has documented this extensively. That distinction matters when you’re figuring out your coin’s true grade.

For accurate authentication and professional assessment, try the Coin Identifier and Value App—it streamlines identification to verify your coin’s true characteristics and current value.

 

1973 Dollar Value Guides

The 1973 Eisenhower dollar breaks down into seven types based on mint, composition, and finish.

• 1973 No Mint Mark Dollar – Philadelphia clad issue sold only in Mint sets
• 1973-D Dollar – Denver clad version distributed through collector Mint sets
• 1973-S Silver Dollar – Uncirculated 40% silver “Blue Ike” for collectors
• 1973-S Clad DCAM Dollar – Copper-nickel proof included in standard proof sets
• 1973-S Silver Proof Dollar – Mirror-finish 40% silver in brown presentation boxes (“Brown Ike”)
• 1973-S Silver CAM Dollar – Cameo (CAM) proof with moderate frosted design contrast
• 1973-S Silver DCAM Dollar – Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof featuring dramatic contrast and heavy frost

Philadelphia and Denver coins came only in Mint sets, all copper-nickel clad. San Francisco handled the premium collector pieces—silver uncirculated dollars in blue envelopes (“Blue Ikes”) and silver proofs in brown boxes (“Brown Ikes”).

CAM means Cameo—the raised design elements show some frosted texture against mirror-like fields. DCAM means Deep Cameo—the contrast is much stronger, with heavy frost against deep mirrors. DCAM coins always bring more than their CAM counterparts at the same grade.

 

1973 No Mint Mark Dollar Value

Here’s something most people don’t realize: the 1973 Philadelphia dollar never saw a cash register. It was produced only for the Mint’s annual Uncirculated Coin Set, and unsold sets got melted.

The switch to hardened 52100 die steel gave these coins noticeably crisper detail on Eisenhower’s hair and the eagle’s feathers compared to the 1971 and 1972 strikes.

How rare is top-grade? PCGS has slabbed just one coin at MS67 (as of September 2025). NGC has eight. CAC has approved only one coin at MS66 out of everything submitted. Those numbers tell you the real story.

Typical MS65 examples sell for around $45, while MS66 brings $400–$600. Attractively toned pieces sometimes break $1,000. At the top, a PCGS MS66+ from the “Stephenville Collection” sold for $1,440 at Heritage Auctions in May 2024.

For a complete look at past sales, see the historical auction records below.

The following chart shows how collector interest has trended over the past year.

Market activity score: 72/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 14 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 77 (Sep 2026).

 

1973-D Dollar Value

If you’re comparing a raw 1973 Philly to a raw 1973-D side by side, you’ll usually notice the Denver coin looks sharper and cleaner. That’s a pattern across the whole Ike series—Denver surfaces tend to outperform Philadelphia.

Like the Philly issue, the 1973-D was sold only through Mint Sets. Typical uncirculated examples bring $5 to $20. MS65 pieces run about $32.

The certified population shows how tight the top end really is. PCGS has graded just one coin at MS67 (tied with ten others—eleven total—for finest known at this date and mintmark). NGC shows eight at MS67. Those numbers haven’t budged since 2024.

In June 2013, one of those MS67 coins brought $12,925 at Heritage Auctions’ Long Beach event. That sale was a turning point—it proved the 1973-D was a serious collectible right as the hobby was waking up to condition rarity in modern coins.

Past auction results for this variety are listed below.

Here’s how collector demand has shifted across quality tiers over the past year.

Market activity score: 56/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 66 (Dec 2025).

 

1973-S Silver Dollar Value

Only 869,400 struck. That’s the lowest mintage of any non-proof Eisenhower dollar—period. If you’re building an Ike set, this is the “Blue Ike” you need.

Most examples grade MS64 to MS67. MS68 gets genuinely scarce—fewer than 1% of the entire mintage has been certified there. MS69? Single digits.

MS66 pieces trade around $32–$35, making them very accessible for set builders. MS68 coins command $130–$165. At the pinnacle, MS69 examples have reached $11,000 to $17,500 depending on the slab and eye appeal.

I think MS68 is the sweet spot for serious collectors. You get near-perfect quality without the exponential jump to MS69 prices—and those MS69 populations aren’t growing.

Historical auction records for certified examples are below.

The chart below tracks market activity over the past twelve months.

Market activity score: 76/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 18 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S Clad DCAM Dollar Value

Did you know this was the first year San Francisco put copper-nickel proofs in regular proof sets? Before 1973, only silver Ike proofs were offered, and they cost extra.

Over 2.7 million were minted, but that big 38.5mm surface is a magnet for spots, hairlines, and flecks over time. Perfect examples are tough to find. PR69 DCAM pieces trade around $30 and are easy to locate.

PR70 DCAM is where things get interesting. Only 67 examples carry that grade at PCGS (as of the most recent population data), and they command about $3,700. The Heritage record stands at $5,405 from 2015. A Coin World report confirmed one of those three PCGS PR70 DCAM examples sold for $9,075 at a GreatCollections auction in January 2015—registry set competition was fierce.

Two signature variants also exist: the David Hall Signature (PR69: ~$90) and the Standish Miles Signature (PR69: ~$60). Hall co-founded PCGS in 1986; Miles became the first full-time professional coin grader and pioneered signature programs.

Notable auction results for the 1973-S Clad Deep Cameo are listed below.

The one-year market activity chart below shows current collector interest for this issue.

Market activity score: 56/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 69 (Dec 2025).

 

1973-S Silver Proof Dollar Value

This is the key date. Just 1,013,646 struck—the lowest regular-issue figure in the entire Eisenhower run. Compare that to 4.27 million for the 1971-S and 1.81 million for the 1972-S.

Standard PR65 and higher examples trade between $10–$21 right now. Affordable.

But the error market is where things get wild. In January 2008, Heritage Auctions sold a PR67 with an indented planchet error—a 1.73-gram foreign planchet struck into its surface—for $40,250. That sale remains among the top three results for the entire Ike series.

Another major error brought $17,250 at Heritage in 2008: a PR65 Ultra Cameo (NGC) that had been double-struck with two off-center broadstrikes. That’s an extraordinary combination error.

For standard, error-free examples, grade and surface quality drive prices within tight ranges. Clean PR67–PR68 coins without spots or hairlines sit near the top of normal values.

Complete auction records cover the full pricing spectrum from routine trades to exceptional errors.

Market activity over the past twelve months shows steady interest in this proof dollar.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 13 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S Silver CAM Dollar Value

Why does the CAM designation even exist? San Francisco had inconsistent die preparation through 1977. Frost application was erratic. CAM coins showed more contrast than a plain proof but not enough for the full Deep Cameo label.

Here’s what’s interesting: even some PR70 DCAM pieces from this era show weak hair detail or muted lunar frost. That means some CAM coins were labeled accurately while certain DCAM designations benefited from grading leniency.

Prices reflect this ambiguity. PR68 CAM examples have sold for as little as $23, yet the same grade has hit $264 at auction. That huge gap comes down entirely to visual quality within identical holders.

The CAM designation became a catchall for proofs with incomplete frost during years when San Francisco couldn’t nail consistent frost transfer. If you’re cherrypicking, look for CAM pieces that are borderline DCAM—those command the best premiums.

Sales records below show how CAM specimens fit into different collecting strategies.

Past-year market performance reflects a measured approach to this middle-tier designation.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S Silver DCAM Dollar Value

Even within DCAM, quality varies. San Francisco’s frost problems through 1977 mean you’ll see real differences coin to coin. On top of that, the brown packaging reacted with the atmosphere over decades, causing spots that knocked otherwise solid coins out of top-grade contention.

A typical PR67 DCAM trades around $34. PR69 DCAM examples reach $30–$55—modest premiums because there are plenty of slabbed examples at both levels. PR70 DCAM hovers around $1,350.

The PR69-to-PR70 jump is massive. Thousands of PR69 coins exist, keeping prices reasonable. PR70 is where true scarcity kicks in—and where registry set competition pushes prices sharply higher.

About 775,439 coins survive from the original 1,013,646 mintage. Roughly 24% disappeared through melting, loss, and damage. Most certified examples cluster at mid-grade levels where surface quality supported professional grading but didn’t reach PR70 territory.

Recent auction results show appeal across multiple grade levels and certification services.

The chart below tracks demand for this issue over the past year.

Market activity score: 72/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 22 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 77 (Sep 2026).

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1973 Dollar Error List

Most 1973 dollars went straight into Mint sets and collector packages, so quality control was tighter than usual. But errors still slipped through—and the ones that did are among the most dramatic in modern U.S. coinage.

1. 1973-S Silver DDO FS-101

The FS-101 designation—from the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties (5th Edition, Volume 2, edited by Ken Potter)—confirms this as a catalogued doubled die obverse (DDO). A doubled die happens when the die receives two slightly misaligned hub impressions during manufacturing. Every coin struck from that die shows the doubling.

Look for doubling in the letters of IN GOD WE TRUST and select letters in LIBERTY. The key diagnostic: a curved die-polishing line crossing Eisenhower’s neck area. That line separates genuine FS-101 specimens from the master-die doubling found on many 1973-S silver proofs.

Certified PR69 DCAM examples have sold for $400 to $731 at auction. Lower-grade pieces trade near $12. This is a great cherrypicking target if you’re cracking open raw proof sets.

2. 1973-S Wrong Planchet Error (“Blue Ike” on Clad)

This is one of the rarest Ike dollar errors ever documented. I’d call it the most important wrong-planchet error in the entire series.

The 1973-S silver dollars were supposed to be struck on silver-copper planchets weighing 24.59 grams. A small number landed on copper-nickel clad planchets instead. You can spot them by weight (approximately 22.68 grams instead of 24.59 grams) and by the copper core visible on the edge where you’d expect to see silver.

The discovery coin turned up in September 2008 when collector John Wrublewski bought it from Pioneer Numismatics in Acton, Massachusetts—part of a $150 lot, still in its original “Blue Ike” government packaging. NGC graded it MS67, valued it in the five-figure range, and it eventually sold for $48,000 at a Stack’s Bowers ANA Auction in August 2021.

A second example was pulled at face value from a California bank by specialist Lee Lydston. NGC certified it About Uncirculated 58—only the second such error they’d certified at the time.

Mint error expert Mike Byers, with 45 years of experience in major errors, has described the “Blue Ike” wrong planchet examples as “one of the rarest and most significant Eisenhower dollar errors known.” Only two to three confirmed examples exist.

3. 1973-S Double Struck on Half Dollar Planchet

On August 4, 2020, Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night session sold a 1973-S Ike dollar proof that had been double struck on a clad Kennedy half dollar planchet for $19,200. NGC graded it PF-66 Cameo.

The visual impact is stunning. Because the second strike was misaligned from the first, the obverse shows two side-by-side Eisenhower profiles—an accidental “jugate” portrait. The reverse shows two moons and partial eagle imagery.

Nobody knows exactly how it happened. Since the planchet was clad rather than silver, specialists can’t determine whether it was produced during the clad proof run or the silver proof run. Only about four to six such examples are believed to exist across the entire Ike series.

Major mint errors on proof Eisenhower dollars range from several thousand to well over $10,000 depending on visual drama, grade, and certification service.

4. 1973 Off-Center Strikes

Off-center strikes happen when a planchet doesn’t seat properly between the dies, leaving a blank crescent and partial design. On a 38.5mm Ike dollar, the effect is impossible to miss.

Entry-level examples with 5%–15% displacement typically sell for $300–$500. Pieces with 40%–50% displacement command $600–$800 or more—but only if the date is fully visible. That’s the key: collectors pay a big premium when “1973” remains completely readable.

 

Where To Sell Your 1973 Dollar?

Now that you understand your 1973 Eisenhower Dollar’s potential worth, selecting the right selling platform is crucial for maximizing your return. Here are reputable online coin marketplaces with their advantages and limitations.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1973 Dollar Market Trend

Market interest: 2,100 collectors tracking this coin as of Oct 2026 — up 1,000 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About 1973 Dollar Value

1. Why is the 1973 Dollar considered special among collectors?

It was never made for circulation—a first for the Ike series after two years of mass production. The Federal Reserve placed no orders, so every coin went into Mint sets or collector packages. Researchers Wexler, Crawford, and Flynn confirmed all unsold inventory was melted, meaning every survivor passed directly through a collector’s hands.

2. What is a 1973 Dollar worth today?

Depends on variety and grade. Ungraded examples sell for about $8. MS65 runs around $45. MS66 brings $400–$600. Top-pop MS67 coins have sold for $12,925 (1973-D) and $6,600 (Philadelphia).

The 1973-S silver proof is the key date—PR65 examples go for $15–$25, and the all-time record is $40,250 for a major error specimen.

3. Does the 1973 Dollar contain silver?

Only the San Francisco “S” mintmark issues. The 1973-S silver versions are 40% silver overall—outer layers of 80% silver/20% copper bonded to a core of 79% copper/21% silver—weighing 24.59 grams.

Philadelphia (no mintmark) and Denver (D) versions are copper-nickel clad—75% copper and 25% nickel over pure copper—weighing 22.68 grams. No precious metal content.

4. How do I tell a silver 1973 Eisenhower dollar from a clad one?

Grab a coin scale. Silver 1973-S coins weigh 24.59 grams; clad examples weigh 22.68 grams. Nearly two grams difference—easy to catch with a cheap digital scale. No scale? Check the edge. Silver versions show no copper core. Clad versions reveal a thin copper stripe between the outer layers.

5. What makes the 1973-S Silver Proof the key date of the Eisenhower series?

Lowest mintage of any regular Eisenhower dollar—just 1,013,646 pieces. The 1971-S silver proof had over 4.27 million struck, and the 1972-S had 1.81 million. Once collectors noticed those numbers in the 1970s and 1980s, demand for the 1973-S took off and never came back down.

6. What was the most valuable 1973 dollar error ever sold?

$40,250—a 1973-S Silver Proof PR67 with an indented planchet error, sold at Heritage Auctions in January 2008. It was sold as a mated pair alongside its struck planchet, which boosted scarcity and appeal.

Runner-up: a 1973-S Silver Proof double-struck with two off-center broadstrikes, graded PR65 Ultra Cameo by NGC, which brought $17,250 at Heritage in 2008.

7. What is the “Blue Ike” wrong planchet error and why is it so rare?

A 1973-S silver dollar accidentally struck on a copper-nickel clad planchet instead of the intended silver-copper planchet. Only two to three confirmed examples exist. The discovery coin sold for $48,000 at Stack’s Bowers’ 2021 ANA Auction. These rank among the rarest Ike dollar errors known.

8. What does PCGS and NGC population data tell us about the 1973 dollar?

PCGS and NGC are the two major third-party grading services. Their population reports track how many coins they’ve certified at each grade. For the 1973 Philadelphia, PCGS has just one at MS67 and NGC has eight—true rarity at that level. For the 1973-S Clad DCAM, only 67 coins hold PCGS PR70 DCAM. These numbers tell you exactly how scarce your coin is relative to all submitted examples.

9. Are 1973 Eisenhower dollars worth more with CAC approval?

Usually a lot more. CAC’s sticker means a coin is solid for its grade or better. CAC-approved 1973 dollars consistently bring premiums. A PCGS MS66+ with CAC approval sold for $2,585 at Heritage Auctions in April 2016, versus $400–$600 for non-CAC examples in the same grade. Only one 1973 Philadelphia has ever earned CAC approval at MS66 as of September 2025.

10. What reference books cover 1973 Eisenhower dollar varieties?

The most comprehensive reference is the CONECA Attribution Guide to Eisenhower Dollar Varieties by Dr. James Wiles (CONECA, 1997). The Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 5th Edition, Volume 2 by Fivaz, Stanton, and Potter (Whitman Publishing, 2012) covers the most collectible varieties including the FS-101 DDO. For error coins specifically, Mike Byers’ World’s Greatest Mint Errors documents the major wrong-planchet and striking errors including the “Blue Ike” clad planchet pieces.