Based on the provided search context, the coin in question is formally known as the 1972 Eisenhower Dollar, rather than a "Liberty Silver Dollar." The value of a 1972 Eisenhower Dollar is contingent upon its metallic composition and mint mark, as the U.S. Mint produced both circulation-strike and collector versions that year.
The vast majority of 1972 Eisenhower dollars were struck for general circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver mints and contain no silver. These coins are composed of a copper-nickel clad alloy. If they show signs of wear from circulation, their value is typically limited to their face value of one dollar. In pristine, uncirculated condition, they might command a small premium of a few dollars.
However, the U.S. Mint also produced special collector versions in 1972 at the San Francisco Mint, which are identifiable by an "S" mint mark. These coins do contain silver, consisting of a 40% silver and 60% copper composition. These silver-clad dollars were sold to collectors in two primary formats: an uncirculated version in a blue envelope (often called a "Blue Ike") and a proof version with a mirror-like finish in a brown box (a "Brown Ike"). The intrinsic value of these coins is based on their silver content, which fluctuates with the market price of the metal. Their numismatic, or collector, value is generally higher than their melt value, often ranging from approximately $10 to $20, depending on the coin's specific condition and packaging.
