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1976-D Type 1

Dollars · Eisenhower Dollars · 1971–1978
Regular
Weight22.68 g
Diameter38.1 mm
MintDenver
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 103,228,274 Combined mintage for all 1976-D varieties
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-Nickel Clad (75% Cu, 25% Ni bonded to pure Cu core)
DesignerFrank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-4831

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About this coinHistory

The 1976-D Type 1 carries the original blocky-lettering Bicentennial reverse and accounts for the smaller share of Denver's combined 103,228,274-piece 1976 production. Both 1976-D varieties feature Dennis R. Williams's Liberty Bell over moon design, dual-dated 1776-1976, with the Type 1 distinguished by bold serif-style lettering in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Denver's transition from Type 1 to Type 2 reverse dies tracked Philadelphia's, with the change happening mid-production once the Mint determined the thinner Type 2 lettering paired better with the Williams design's character.

Strike quality on the 1976-D Type 1 follows Denver's general pattern for the year: a slight strike advantage over Philadelphia, with cleaner Liberty Bell detail and sharper moon-surface texture on coins from early die states. Most surviving examples grade MS64 to MS66 from broken bags and Mint Set releases, with PCGS, the Professional Coin Grading Service, and NGC populations thinning at MS67. The Type 1 versus Type 2 reverse distinction is the same diagnostic at Denver as at Philadelphia: examine the lettering in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at five to ten power magnification, and the Type 1's bold serif strokes contrast with the Type 2's thinner, taller, more sans-serif character.

The 1976-D Type 1 is the scarcer of the two Denver Bicentennial varieties and pairs with the 1976 Type 1 Philadelphia in collections that target both Type 1 reverse issues. Pricing has held a small premium over the Type 2 across Mint State grades, with the gap widest at MS66 and above. Original Bicentennial Mint Sets from 1975 and 1976 remain the most reliable source for high-grade examples, and broken-bag survivors typically cap in the MS64 range because of bag-handling contact marks on the heavy 22.68-gram clad planchet. For the Bicentennial design history and the broader two-mint Type 1 to Type 2 distribution, see the Eisenhower Dollar series history.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF)
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF)
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $6 $6.50
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar worth?
In Choice Uncirculated condition it runs about $6–$6.50. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollars were minted?
103,228,274 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1976-D varieties).
What is a 1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar made of?
Copper-Nickel Clad (75% Cu, 25% Ni bonded to pure Cu core), weighing 22.68 g.
What is the melt value of a 1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.