What is the value of a 1974 E-pluribus-unum one dollar coin?

Answer 1

ALL U.S. coins carry the motto "E Pluribus Unum" so that is not a distinguishing characteristic. Just take a look at your pocket change. I assume your coin carries a picture of President Eisenhower, so that IS a way to identify it. The Ike dollar was a failed experiment pushed by the gaming industry who were in essence asking the Mint to produce tokens for their slot machines, and by some members of the Nixon administration who wanted a Republican president's image on a coin as a way of balancing the Kennedy half. If your coin is cupronickel (the edge will appear dark-copper in color, like a worn penny) it is only worth about face value. There were also 40%-silver issues that year. These will have a lighter color on the outside and a grayish edge; they're worth maybe $2.50 to $3.00 retail but a dealer would of course pay wholesale. The motto E Pluribus Unum ("From many, one") has appeared on dollars since 1878 and on all circulating U.S. coins since around 1916, so this generally isn't a distinguishing characteristic. The most important characteristics are denomination, date, mintmark, and condition.