1972 Type 2 Eisenhower Dollar Family

By Steve Palladino

Member, The Ike Group

Co-Lead, Ike Group Designated Ike Varieties (DIVa) project

June 26, 2020

1972 Type 2 Eisenhower Dollar Family

1972 Type 2 “March release” - DIVa 2T2-101

DIVa 2T2-101.1

DIVa 2T2-101.2

1972 Type 1 “T2/T1” - DIVa 2T1-101

1972 Type 2 “August release” - DIVa 2T2-102

DIVa 2T2-102.1

DIVa 2T2-102.2

In 1972, the Philadelphia mint released copper-nickel clad business strike Ike dollars with three distinct reverse Types.  The 1972 Type 2 Ike dollar has gained the name “The King of the Ikes”, no doubt in part, because of the paucity that were produced and the fact that they typically command the highest price at same-grade than any other clad business strike Ike.   The number of 1972 Type 2 Ikes produced is dwarfed by the production of 1972 Type 1 and 1972 Type 3 Ikes, comprising no more than a half percent of the total 1972 Ike production from Philadelphia.

Further, the history behind the 1972 Type 2 Ike production is also distinctive.  Whether by accident or intention (mostly likely the latter), two high relief, Type 2 reverse dies were used to produce 1972 copper-nickel clad dollar coins at the Philadelphia mint.  Then, whether by accident or intention (most likely the former), the coins were released for circulation.  The likely reason for using the high relief, Type 2 reverse dies on copper-nickel clad planchets during this time was for the purpose of testing the new 52100 die steel and high relief design on the copper-nickel clad planchets. The older W1 die steel dies were ineffective in adequately striking up copper-nickel planchets - let alone high relief coins.  The new 52100 die steel was introduced for testing in early 1972, and found to be superior to the old W1 die steel and resistant to the die sink to which W1 steel was prone.

Regardless of reason (accidental or intentional), 1972 Ikes with the Type 2, high relief reverse were released into circulation by the Philadelphia mint.  These coins all had a low relief, Wiles ODV-001 obverse, and the Type 2, Wiles RDV-002 reverse.   It is likely that coins produced from one of the two Type 2 reverse dies were released in March of 1972.  Herb Hicks (first reporter) is credited with first finding 1972 Type 2 coins in the Boston area in March of 1972.  When Herb found his 1972 Type 2 coins, the mix was with 1972 Type 1 coins - the 1972 Type 3 coins had not yet entered production by March of 1972.   Rob Ezerman then became aware of a later, second release of 1972 Type 2 coins (produced from the second of the two dies) in early 1973, which he postulated were actually released in about August of 1972.  In the rolls in which Rob discovered his 1972 Type 2 Ikes, the mix was with 1972 Type 3 Ikes (which were made from dies of 52100 die steel, by the way).  

Therefore, 1972 Type 2 Ikes are often described as either “March release” or “August release”.  It has been subsequently clarified by die markers and logic that the “March release” and “August release” 1972 Type 2 Ikes are produced from separate dies.  In other words, there were two separate Type 2 reverse dies used in production of the 1972 Type 2 coinage.

The Ike Group attributes Ike varieties under the name Designated Ike Varieties (DIVa).  The Ike Group employs a numbering system for DIVa Ikes in which the last number of the date, the mint location, and any type designation is used in the prefix.  Thus a 1972 Type 2 Ike would have a DIVa prefix of 2T2 (1972 Type 2).  Further, a suffix number is assigned that designates die (and if with a decimal, a distinguishable die stage).  

The 1972 Type 2 Ikes are assigned 2T2-101 for the “March release”, and 2T2-102 for the “August release”.  Whether one wishes to dispute the time of release, it is clear that; a) two separate reverse dies exist, and b) one (2T2-101) was, in fact, released into circulation well before the other (2T2-102).

Further, each - the 2T2-101 “March release” and the 2T2-102 “August release” - have two readily distinguishable die stages: 2T2-101.1 & 2T2-101.2, and 2T2-102.1 & 2T2-102.2.  

However, there is an additional twist (as if Ikes from two high relief Type 2 reverse dies using new die steel weren’t enough):  the 2T2-101 “March release” reverse die likely failed due to an evolving die crack through STATES.  This reverse die failure likely occurred sometime in the latter part of middle die state.   The obverse was still suitable to remain in service, and was thus paired with a low relief Type 1 reverse die and put back into production - a new die marriage.  Terry Zerr first reported this DIVa.  The obverse bears the same identical markers as it did when paired to the Type 2 reverse.  This new die marriage is given the DIVa designation of 2T1-101 (1972 Type 1) - also called the “T2/T1”.  Although not a 1972 Type 2 coin, it is included here as “extended family” - the obverse is still part of the family.  The sequence for the obverse die was 2T2-101.1 ⇨ 2T2-101.2 ⇨ 2T1-101.

The 52100 die steel was able to strike more coins, on average, than the old W1 die steel.  The W1 die steel had an approximate average reverse die life of 120,000 copper-nickel dollar coins.  The new 52100 die steel, in contrast, may have had an approximate average reverse die life of about 250,000 to 300,000 copper-nickel dollar coins - although the 1974 52100 reverse dies had a reported average reverse die life of only about 64,000 coins.  Rob Ezerman postulates that due to the die crack causing die failure sometime in the latter part of middle die state, that only about 20,000 of the 2T2-101 “March release” Ikes were minted.  I suspect the number is higher.  Rob Ezerman also postulates that the mintage of the 2T2-102 “August release” was 150,000 to 200,000.  According to Rob Ezerman’s figures, the ratio of 2T2-101 “March release” to 2T2-102 “August release” coins should be about 1:7 to 1:10.   Herb Hicks has opined the same approximate ratio: “Sometimes I wonder if the August production was done to dilute the rarity of the March coins.  The August mintage appears to be 10X that of March.”

Only ANACS attributes 1972 Type 2 coins as “March dies” and “August dies”.  As of the end of June 2020, the population of these two 1972 Type 2 Ikes (including their “details population”) are 59 “March dies” and 45 “August dies”.   In the Ike Group’s DIVa population report, there are 14 2T2-101 “March release” coins and 22 2T2-102 “August release” coins.  In my own inventory, there are 27 2T2-101 “March release” coins and 31 2T2-102 “August release” coins. (Table 1)  Of course, there is bias in these numbers (submission bias, selection bias).  However, there is some suggestion that the ratio of 2T2-101 “March release” to 2T2-102 “August release” coins is likely less skewed than the 1:7 to 1:10 ratios suggested by Rob Ezerman’s estimates.

Table 1.

It is clear though, that even if both dies each produced 200,000 1972 Type 2 coins (highly unlikely), given that there was an estimated 75,890,000 1972 business strike Ikes produced, 1972 Type 2 coins (both 2T2-101 and 2T2-102) accounted for no more than 0.5% of the entire 1972 Philadelphia Ike production.

Of course, estimated production does not equate to “coins left”.  Destruction and other sources of losses have certainly reduced the population of findable 1972 Type 2 Ikes.

Looking at third party graded and slabbed 1972 Type 2 Ikes (as of the end of June 2020), it is apparent that there is only a small fraction of the 1972 Type 2 Ike production that rests in PCGS, NGC, or ANACS holders.  (Table 2)  Certainly the accuracy of the total graded population is not perfect, given breakouts / resubmissions, and crossovers.  Further, in my personal inventory, 57% are in TPG holders, and 43% are raw, with the latter generally being of quality too questionable to warrant the expense of TPG grading.    

Table 2.

1972 Type 2 coins generally suffer under the scrutiny of TPG.  A bit less than 5% of all TPG 1972 Type Ikes are graded MS65 and higher and none are graded higher than MS66.  There are reasons for this, including the prevalence of annealing marks.  Table 3 illustrates the top graded populations at PCGS, NGC, and ANACS (through the end of June 2020).  Further, the table includes the population that has received a CAC sticker (ANACS coins are not accepted by CAC)(CAC does not distinguish between regular and plus grades).

Table 3.

To investigate the relative distribution of coins by DIVa designation, I can only resort to my personal inventory.  Table 4 reflects the distribution to the five DIVa Ikes in this extended family.  Again, realize that there could be selection, aka collection, bias present in these distributions.

Table 4.

The distinguishing feature between 2T2-101.1 and 2T2-101.2 is the absence (2T2-101.1) or presence (2T2-101.2) of the obverse “baseball cap” die chip a the top of Ike’s head and the reverse die crack in a portion or all of STATES. (Table 6)  It is clear that the 2T2-101.1 is less common than the 2T2-101.2, with the appearance of the obverse “baseball cap” die chip a the top of Ike’s head and the reverse die crack in a portion or all of STATES occurring not longer after early die state.  After the new die marriage the obverse of the 2T2-101 went back into production in a new die marriage, the 2T1-101.  My inventory of the “T2/T1” 2T1-101 is highly likely not reflective of the actual distribution of coins.  It is possible, if Rob Ezerman’s postulation is correct, that the 2T1-101 “T2/T1” could have a higher relative population than either of the two 2T2-101 “March release” DIVa Ikes.

The distinguishing feature between 2T2-102.1 and 2T2-102.2 is the absence (2T2-102.1) or presence (2T2-102.2) of the obverse “talon head” clash and the reverse die repair of a “jaw line” clash. (Table 6)  It is clear that the clash likely occurred early in production, leaving the pre-clash 2T2-102.2 far less uncommon than the post-clash 2T2-102.2.

If we apply Rob Ezerman’s conjecture that the 2T2-101 ”March release” had a lower mintage - say 50,000 than the 2T2-102 “August release” - say 150,000, then the distribution found in the study of my personal inventory (excluding the 2T1-101) might suggest mintages seen in Table 5.   To be sure, this is a particularly speculative application - for fun only.   It may be that the 2T2-102.1 is the most scarce of the 1972 Type 2 coins, followed by the 2T2-101.1 - either way, the 2T2-102.1 and 2T2-101.1 are the most uncommon of the four 1972 Type 2 DIVa Ikes.  And for that matter, the 2T1-101 “T2/T1” is yet another uncommon addition to the extended five-coin family.

Table 5.

Table 6.  Quick Marker Guide  (click links to got to photos)

Table 7.  Quick Identifier Flowchart Using Select Obverse Markers

In summary, rather than “The King of the Ikes”, we should be thinking of “The Royal Family of Ikes”.  The five-coin extended family of 1972 Type 2 Eisenhower dollar should be a collection to which to aspire for the serious Ike collector.  Simply collecting just one of DIVa Ikes presented here is just the beginning to putting the entire set together.

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Reference / Additional Reading

The Eisenhower Dollar, Volume 2, The Collectible Ike Varieies - Facts, Photos, and Theories.  Ezerman et al, 2011, Chapters 4, 5, 25, 26, 31, & 32.

Eisenhower Dollar Varieties.  (with focus on 1972 Ikes) Herb Hicks, The Numismatist, 1974.

The 1972 March Type 2.  Ezerman, 2009, Ike Group web page.

Earths Type 1,2,3.  Ike Group Web Page.

1972 Type 2.  Ike Group Web Page.

Designated Ike Variety (DIVa) Numbering and Categories.  Ike Group web page.

The Three 1972 Earths.  Ike Group Forum threads. 2008

1972 TY-2.  Ike Group Forum threads. 2008

Grade Population on T2 - March vs August.  Ike Group Forum threads. 2012.

Here is a question on the Type 2 coins.  Ike Group Forum threads. 2014

Another Look at the 1972 T2 Ike.  Ike Group Forum threads. 2014.

The Authoritative Reference on Eisenhower Dollars, Second Edition.  Wexler et al, 2007, p 185-186, 193-206.

The Eisenhower Dollar Die Variety Book - Design Varieties.  Wiles, 2020.

1972 Type 2.  PCGS Coinfacts.

1972 Eisenhower Dollar.  NGC.

CAC pop report.  

PCGS Price Guide.

PCGS pop report.  (through 6/26/2020)

NGC pop report.  (through 6/26/2020)

ANACS pop report.  (through 6/26/2020)

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2T2-101

“March Release - 1972 Type 2 reverse”

It has been estimated that approximately 20,000 Ikes were produced and released in March of 1972 with a Type 2 reverse.  Coins from this production run are identified as DIVa 2T2-101.  They bear markers that can allow one to attribute them separately from the second production run of Ikes with a Type 2 reverse, released in August of 1972 (2T2-102).

Furthermore, based on obverse and reverse die markers, the March release 1972 Type 2 Ikes can be further differentiated and attributed to two different die states - 2T2-101.1 and 2T2-101.2.  In a sampling of 16 2T2-101 Ikes, 3 (19%) were 2T2-101.1, and 13 (81%) were 2T2-101.2.

Lastly, it is likely that the March Type 2 reverse was pulled from production (evolving die crack in STATES) and a Type 1 reverse then paired with the original obverse that was formerly paired with the March Type 2 reverse (essentially, a second reverse die marriage for the original obverse) - DIVa 2T1-101.

Markers present in all 2T2-101 Ikes:

Obverse

• the well documented N die gouge "pimple" - this is present in all 2T2-101 Ikes (and not present in the 2T2-102 Ikes)
• dies scratches (all NW to SE in orientation): the well documented neck scratch, the lower part of E in WE, between G and O, between the N and T. The neck scratch is most robust to die state, while the lower E and G\O scratches are also fairly robust to die state, but not as much as the neck scratch. These scratches are solid markers for the 2T2-101 obverse (and not present on the 2T2-102 Ikes)
• very small spread DDO (seen in 1, and the first T in TRUST, N, G, R in the motto). It is easier to detect this DDO in earlier die states. Upline origin.

Reverse

• Type 2 earth
• a very small spread DDR - seen in the AR, stars 13 and 12, and the R in AMERICA. Again, like the DDO, it is easier to detect in earlier die states. Upline origin.

the well documented N die gouge "pimple" - this is present in all 2T2-101 Ikes (and not present in the 2T2-102 Ikes)

dies scratches (all NW to SE in orientation): the well documented neck scratch, the lower part of E in WE, between G and O, between the N and T. The neck scratch is most robust to die state, while the lower E and G\O scratches are also fairly robust to die state, but not as much as the neck scratch. These scratches are solid markers for the 2T2-101 obverse (and not present on the 2T2-102 Ikes)

very small spread DDO (seen in 1, and the first T in TRUST, N, G, R in the motto). It is easier to detect this DDO in earlier die states. Upline origin.

Type 2 earth

a very small spread DDR - seen in the AR, stars 13 and 12, and the R in AMERICA. Again, like the DDO, it is easier to detect in earlier die states. Upline origin.

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2T2-101.1

This is the early die state of the 2T2-101. There are no die cracks and die chips that identify the 2T2-101.2

Markers

• obverse N die gouge "pimple" and obverse die scratch markers are present (common to all 2T2-101 Ikes)
• obverse "baseball cap" die chip and reverse STATE die crack markers are NOT present
• EDS

obverse "baseball cap" die chip marker NOT present

reverse STATE die crack marker NOT present

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2T2-101.2

Obverse

• obverse N die gouge "pimple" and obverse die scratch markers are present  (common to all 2T2-101 Ikes)
• the well documented "baseball" cap (die chip) at the top of Ike's head, just below the E (acknowledgements to Terry Zerr for this marker). The appearance of this marker marks the end of early die state, and the beginning of the appearance of the reverse die crack (they are only found together in the 2T2-101.2). After inspecting closer, it appears that there were two small, nearly convergent die cracks on the top of Ike head - the area where these two cracks converged closest resulted in die chip - the resultant "baseball cap"

Reverse

• the well documented STATE die crack. Again, the appearance of this marker coincides with the appearance of the "baseball cap" marker on the obverse and correlates with end of EDS / onset of MDS. It appears to me that the crack may originate at the TE interval and propagate east to the A, then T, then S, based on observation of the crack across die states.

the well documented "baseball" cap (die chip) at the top of Ike's head, just below the E (acknowledgements to Terry Zerr for this marker). The appearance of this marker marks the end of early die state, and the beginning of the appearance of the reverse die crack (they are only found together in the 2T2-101.2). After inspecting closer, it appears that there were two small, nearly convergent die cracks on the top of Ike head - the area where these two cracks converged closest resulted in die chip - the resultant "baseball cap"

the well documented STATE die crack. Again, the appearance of this marker coincides with the appearance of the "baseball cap" marker on the obverse and correlates with end of EDS / onset of MDS. It appears to me that the crack may originate at the TE interval and propagate east to the A, then T, then S, based on observation of the crack across die states.

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2T2-102

“August Release - 1972 Type 2 reverse”

It has been estimated that approximately 120,000-150,000 Ikes were produced and released in August of 1972 with a Type 2 reverse.  Coins from this production run are identified as DIVa 2T2-102.  They bear markers that can allow one to attribute them separately from the first production run of Ikes with a Type 2 reverse, released in March of 1972 (2T2-101).

Furthermore, based on obverse and reverse die markers, the August release 1972 Type 2 Ikes can be further differentiated and attributed to two different die states - 2T2-102.1 and 2T2-102.2.  In a sampling of 25 2T2-102 Ikes, 3 (12%) were 2T2-102.1, and 22 (88%) were 2T2-102.2.

Markers present in all 2T2-102 Ikes:

Obverse

• die scratch (NW to SE in orientation): a small die scratch in the field just of the front of Ike's chin. This die scratch may be harder to detect in later die stages. This scratch is present on the 2T2-102, and not the 2T2-101, and serves as a die differentiator.
• very small spread DDO (seen in 1, and the first T in TRUST, N, G, R in the motto). It is easier to detect this DDO in earlier die states. Upline origin.
• the well documented 2T2-101 N die gouge "pimple" and the 2T2-101 die scratches are NOT present

Reverse

• Type 2 earth
• a very small spread DDR - seen in the AR, stars 13 and 12, and the R in AMERICA. Again, like the DDO, it is easier to detect in earlier die states. Upline origin.
• the 2T2-101 STATE die crack is NOT present

die scratch (NW to SE in orientation): a small die scratch in the field just of the front of Ike's chin. This die scratch may be harder to detect in later die stages. This scratch is present on the 2T2-102, and not the 2T2-101, and serves as a die differentiator.

very small spread DDO (seen in 1, and the first T in TRUST, N, G, R in the motto). It is easier to detect this DDO in earlier die states. Upline origin.

Type 2 earth

a very small spread DDR - seen in the AR, stars 13 and 12, and the R in AMERICA. Again, like the DDO, it is easier to detect in earlier die states. Upline origin.

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2T2-102.1

This is the early die state of the 2T2-102: pre-clash - no clash evidence. In contrast, the appearance of clash evidence identifies the 2T2-102.2

Markers:

• 2T2-102 chin die scratch is present
• obverse clashes NOT present
• reverse die abrasion work NOT present
• EDS

clash evidence not present on either obverse or reverse

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2T2-102.2

The appearance of clash evidence identifies the 2T2-102.2

Obverse

• die clashes: near the end of, or just after EDS, the dies clashed. None are more than grade B or C. The Talon Head is most consistent, usually accompanied by a thin Volunteer clash. Remnants of an Upside Down U and Hair Lip can also be found. These clashes do not appear in EDS examples exemplified by the 2T2-102.1.

Reverse

• die abrasion scratches: die repair work evidence (scratches oriented SSW to NNE) is present in the Jaw Line clash area to the right of the moon, extending up to the first u in unum. This die abrasion work appears along with the clashes on the obverse. Like the obverse clashes, the reverse die abrasion work does not appear in EDS examples exemplified by the 2T2-102.1.

die clashes: near the end of, or just after EDS, the dies clashed. None are more than grade B or C. The Talon Head is most consistent, usually accompanied by a thin Volunteer clash. Remnants of an Upside Down U and Hair Lip can also be found. These clashes do not appear in EDS examples exemplified by the 2T2-102.1.

die abrasion scratches: die repair work evidence (scratches oriented SSW to NNE) is present in the Jaw Line clash area to the right of the moon, extending up to the first u in unum. This die abrasion work appears along with the clashes on the obverse. Like the obverse clashes, the reverse die abrasion work does not appear in EDS examples exemplified by the 2T2-102.1.

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2T1-101

“T1/T2” - Type 1 reverse paired with March Type 2 obverse

This DIVa is relatively rare. It represents a die marriage of the obverse die from the March 1972 Type 2 Ike production, paired with a Type 1 reverse.  The obverse markers match the  obverse from the March release Type 2 coin production.  However, the die state of the obverse is further along than seen for the Type 2 coins.  Thus, it is likely that the Type 2 reverse was pulled from production (evolving die crack in STATES) and a Type 1 reverse then paired with the original obverse.  This fact suggests that this particular DIVa saw limited mintage (at the end of the obverse die’s production life).

Obverse

• later die state than any of the 2T2-101 Ikes - estimated LDS and beyond
• very small spread DDO (seen only in the in 1).
• dies scratch (NW to SE in orientation): the same well documented neck scratch as the 2T2-101 (March release Type 2)
• the well documented N die gouge "pimple" - the same location as in all 2T2-101 Ikes
• the well documented "baseball" cap (gouge or die chip) at the top of Ike's head, just below the E (acknowledgements to Terry Zerr) - as found in 2T2-101.2

Reverse

• Type 1 reverse

later die state than any of the 2T2-101 Ikes - estimated LDS and beyond

the well documented N die gouge "pimple" - the same location as in all 2T2-101 Ikes

dies scratch (NW to SE in orientation): the same well documented neck scratch as the 2T2-101 (March release Type 2)

the well documented "baseball" cap (gouge or die chip) at the top of Ike's head, just below the E (acknowledgements to Terry Zerr) - as found in 2T2-101.2

very small spread DDO (seen only in the in 1).

Type 1 reverse

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