Only a single commemorative coin was issued for 1990, representing a lull in the multiple coins seen for past and future years. The 1990 Eisenhower Silver Dollar (Buy on eBay) was issued to mark the centennial of the birth of Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 14, 1890. He is honored as both a five-star General and the 34th President of the United States.
The obverse designed by John Mercanti includes a right facing portrait of an older Eisenhower superimposed over a left facing view of a younger Eisenhower wearing five stars. The dual portrait symbolize both his military service and peacetime leadership. Inscriptions include “Eisenhower Centennial”, “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, and “1890-1990”. This is the only U.S. coin to feature two portraits of the same person on the same side of one coin.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Marcel Jovine and modeled by Chester Young Martin. Eisenhower’s retirement home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is depicted, which is now part of a national historic site. The inscriptions include “United States of America”, “Eisenhower Home”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and “One Dollar”.
The Eisenhower Silver Dollar was offered in proof and uncirculated versions with a maximum authorized mintage of 4 million coins. The uncirculated version of the coin was produced at the West Point Mint and the proof version at the Philadelphia Mint. Sales for the program were initially strong, with more than one million ordered within less than three months. After that point, the pace of sales slowed with the final number reaching 1.39 million by the conclusion of sales.
The coins were offered for sale individually, with the proof version also included in the 1990 Prestige Proof Set. Surcharges from the sale of the coins was used to reduce the public debt.
Coin Specifications
Designer: William Woodward
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 10,000,000
1990-W Uncirculated Eisenhower Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $23.00
Regular Price: $26.00
Final Mintage: 241,669
1990-P Proof Eisenhower Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $25.00
Regular Price: $29.00
Final Mintage: 1,144,461
