Q. David Bowers
Production and Marketing
Uncirculated Eisenhower Centennial silver dollars were struck at the West Point Mint, representing the first time that silver coins bore the W mintmark, whereas 1990-P Proofs were made at Philadelphia. The Mint arrangement was significantly different from other commemoratives of the preceding decade, when San Francisco was the facility at which Proof silver coins were made and West Point was reserved for gold issues. A January 1990 mailing sent out by the United States Mint, Philadelphia, noted: "The mintmark in the Eisenhower Centennial Proof coin will be 'P' for the Philadelphia Mint, which is located in the same state as the Eisenhower home in Gettysburg. Please note that the Uncirculated version of the Eisenhower silver coin will bear a OW' mintmark for the West Point Mint, which is only fitting since he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point."
On January 2, 1990, it was announced that mail orders were being accepted as of that date. "The coin is already being greeted with great enthusiasm!" noted Mint Director Donna Pope in a commentary concerning the reaction to advance publicity. A direct mail offer was subsequently sent to the Mint mailing list as well as to "selected military and history groups."
On January 16, 1990, a special ceremony was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during which coins were presented to U.S. Treasurer Catalina Vasquez Villalpando and Pennsylvania Congressman Bill Goodling (who sponsored legislation leading to the creation of the piece). This was the first coin ceremony for Treasurer Villalpando, who had been sworn into office on December 11, 1989. "As an admirer of Eisenhower and his era, this coin is ideal for my first launch," she stated.
Throughout the year the coins were used in various ceremonies including during the "Ike Centennial cruise" of the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower(CVN 69), at which time Eisenhower commemorative silver dollars were given to the commanding officers of the aircraft carrier battle group, which went on to be the first U.S. force in the Mideast. In May 1990 Vice President Dan Quayle presented Eisenhower Centennial coins to leaders of the countries that were allies in Europe during World War II. In the same month the first four graduates in the Leadership Studies Program at West Point were given Eisenhower Centennial dollars.
Orders were received by mail at Philadelphia post box addresses (or by telephone at the Mint's direct mail fulfillment department in Lanham, Maryland) beginning on January 15, 1990. "The coin will be available this centennial year only while supplies last. (The Mint decided to revise this schedule. In a conversation with the author, March 20, 1991, Dr. Andrew Cosgarea of the Mint stated that ample supplies of Eisenhower dollars were still on hand and were still being offered for sale.) Through February 28, the coin will be available at special pre-issue prices $25 for a single silver Proof, $23 for a single silver Uncirculated, and $42 for the Prestige set, which includes a Proof Eisenhower silver coin as well as a [regular design] silver half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel, and cent. After February 28, coins will be available at participating banks and retailers at the regular prices."
Regular prices (effective March 1, 1990) were as follows: 1990-P Proof dollar $29, 1990-W Uncirculated dollar $26, 1990 Prestige Proof Set $46. Coins could be ordered through retail establishments, coin dealers, and financial institutions, or by using a toll-free order line connected with the sales department of the Mint.
Single coins were encapsulated in plastic and were packaged in a dark green velvet presentation case with the white lining to the lid imprinted with the Great Seal and "United States Eisenhower Centennial Silver Dollar. " The top of the lid had a plaque of a heraldic eagle in the lower right-hand corner; housed in a dark green cardboard box with silver imprinted Great Seal and "United States Eisenhower Centennial Silver Dollar" on the cover.
Prestige Proof sets were mounted in a green plastic holder with hinged covers (like a book) of green suede with a plaque of the Great Seal mounted on the front cover. The holder and a descriptive card were housed in a green cardboard box imprinted with the Great Seal and "United States Mint 1990 Prestige Set."
A brochure mailed by the Mint in January 1990 stated the following: "The Proof version of the Eisenhower Centennial coin is struck multiple times using special dies to produce a work of art in coin form. Each surface bears a dramatic frosted image on a polished, mirrorlike background. After careful inspection, this gleaming Proof coin is then encapsulated to protect its beautiful finish and allow for its display. The Uncirculated version of the Eisenhower Centennial coin will be taken directly from the press, inspected, and encapsulated to protect its uniformly lustrous finish."
On February 5, 1990, it was announced that the United States Mint had begun to ship coins to orders. "The Mint worked extremely hard to make sure Eisenhower coins could be shipped early in the program," noted Donna Pope.
Publicity was effected through the GCI group of New York City (a division of Grey Advertising), which sent out periodic news releases concerning Eisenhower Centennial dollars used in various ceremonies and displays.
On March 21, 1990, it was announced that over one million Eisenhower Centennial silver dollars had been sold since January. Recalling that Congress authorized the Mint to produce up to four million Eisenhower dollars in 1990, Mint Director Donna Pope said with pride, "Less than three months into this program, we have already sold over one-fourth of the total authorized mintage."
Collecting 1990 Eisenhower Centennial Dollars
1990 Eisenhower Centennial Dollars are readily available in grades as issued.