Material: Copper-Nickel Clad (outer layers 75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper core)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Weight: 22.68 g
Mint / Mintmark: Denver (“D”)
Obverse: This numismatic piece captures the obverse design of the United States dollar issued to celebrate the nation's 200th anniversary of independence. The central motif displays a detailed portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower, framed by the bold text "LIBERTY" sweeping across the upper curved rim. The traditional national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is cleanly struck in the lower left quadrant beneath the president's chin. A small, distinct "D" mint mark is nested directly below the truncation of the neck, indicating production at the Denver Mint facility. The bottom rim is anchored by the dual commemorative dates "1776–1976", completely replacing the standard single-year minting date.
Reverse: Depicts the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon, symbolizing America’s heritage and space achievement; inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and denomination ONE DOLLAR. Designer: Dennis R. Williams (his initials “DRW” appear below the bell).
Circa: Bicentennial Commemorative Issue (1975–1976)
Condition: Very Fine – mild surface wear, good detail on Liberty Bell and Moon, light toning.
Notes:
Congress authorized this special dual-dated coinage early to meet immense public demand, meaning no silver or clad dollar coins bear a standard 1975 date. The United States Mint struck these dual-dated dollars in two distinct lettering varieties, with Type I featuring thick sans-serif letters on the reverse and Type II utilizing a more elegant, thin-serif font. While millions of these copper-nickel clad versions entered general circulation for daily commerce, the San Francisco Mint concurrently produced a parallel run of forty percent silver clad uncirculated and proof versions specifically for collectors. Because of their heavy weight and large physical diameter, these coins were among the last large-size dollar formats ever minted for active circulation in America.
The United States Mint selected this unique design through a national open competition won by a twenty-two-year-old art student named Dennis R. Williams. This specific piece exhibits the Type II lettering style, which collectors quickly identify by the elegant, narrow serif letters used in the text borders. The earlier Type I versions feature much thicker, blocky sans-serif lettering that proved difficult for the minting presses to stamp clearly onto the hard copper-nickel clad planchets. Because these large-size coins did not circulate widely outside of Western casinos, crisp examples showing clear crater details on the lunar design remain highly sought after by collectors today.