who was on the 1972 silver dollar

[MacTucker]

Based on the provided context, the 1972 silver dollar features a portrait of the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, on its obverse. For this reason, the coin is commonly known as the Eisenhower dollar.

The reverse side of the coin does not feature a person but rather commemorates a significant event in American history. It displays an adaptation of the Apollo 11 mission insignia, which was designed by astronaut Michael Collins. This design depicts a bald eagle landing on the surface of the Moon, clutching an olive branch in its talons as a symbol of peace. The coin's design, therefore, serves a dual purpose: it honors President Eisenhower, who died in 1969, and celebrates the monumental achievement of the first manned lunar landing, which occurred in the same year.