How to Identify the 1972 Eisenhower Dollar (Type 2)
The 1972 Type 2 Eisenhower dollar is a scarce Philadelphia reverse variety with a sharply detailed relief map of the Americas on the moon-landing design.
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What It Is
The 1972 Eisenhower dollar exists in three recognized reverse varieties from the Philadelphia Mint, created because the master die's relief map of North and South America on the moon-landing reverse was reworked more than once during the year. Type 2 is the scarcest of the three and is valued higher than the common Type 1 and Type 3 varieties.
Obverse Design
A left-facing portrait of Eisenhower appears with "LIBERTY" arched above, "IN GOD WE TRUST" below the portrait, and the date beneath that, identical across all 1972 varieties.
Reverse Design
All varieties show an eagle landing on the moon with an olive branch, Earth in the background, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arched above, and "ONE DOLLAR" below. The difference lies in the small relief map of the Americas on the Earth: Type 1 shows a low, indistinct map with weak island detail near Florida; Type 2 shows a noticeably higher relief map with sharp, well-separated islands; Type 3 shows a smoother, flatter, more simplified map that became the standard for the rest of the series.
Size, Weight, and Edge
The coin is 38.1mm in diameter, weighs about 22.68 grams in copper-nickel clad composition, and has a reeded edge, matching other circulation-strike Eisenhower dollars.
Mint Marks
Type 2 coins were struck only at Philadelphia and carry no mint mark, located where a mint mark would otherwise appear below Eisenhower's neck truncation on the obverse.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
The key is magnifying the small globe on the reverse and studying the islands south of Florida (representing Cuba and nearby islands). Type 2 shows these islands as distinct, well-formed landmasses with visible separation and higher relief, unlike the mushier Type 1 or the flat, simplified Type 3. Comparing side-by-side reference images at high magnification is the most reliable way to tell the types apart.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Beyond the die variety itself, check Eisenhower's cheek and hairline and the eagle's leg feathers for wear, since these are the first areas to flatten with circulation, similar to other Eisenhower dollars.
Authenticity Red Flags
Because Type 2 commands a premium over the common varieties, be cautious of sellers claiming a coin is Type 2 without clear, magnified photos of the island detail, since Type 1 and Type 3 are far more common and easily mistaken for Type 2 without careful comparison. Confirm there is no mint mark, since Denver or San Francisco 1972 coins are not part of this variety.
Frequently asked questions
What makes 1972 Type 2 different from Type 1 and Type 3?
It refers to the relief and clarity of the small map of the Americas on the reverse globe; Type 2 shows sharp, well-separated islands in higher relief than the other two varieties.
How do I check which type my 1972 dollar is?
Use magnification to examine the islands south of Florida on the reverse globe and compare their shape and relief to reference images of each type.
Which mint struck the Type 2 variety?
Only the Philadelphia Mint, so genuine Type 2 coins carry no mint mark.
Why is Type 2 considered scarce?
The high-relief die was used for a limited time before being replaced, resulting in fewer coins struck with that particular reverse compared to Type 1 and Type 3.