Type 1 or Type 2, Variety 1 or Variety 2?????  What in the world kind of Bicentennial (Ike) Dollar do I have?

Depending on the reference or price guide you are getting your information from, they more than likely are listing the Type 1 - Variety 2 as the Bicentennial Ike Dollar minted in 1975 and the Type 2 - Variety 1 as the Bicentennial Ike Dollar minted in 1976.  I say "more than likely" because some price guides switch the Type 1 and Type 2 to either confuse the public or avoid copyright infringement.  Either way, I like to clarify the matter the best way that is the least confusing.

Look on the reverse of the coin (side opposite of the Ike face) and take a good look at the lettering.  If the lettering is fat and wide and close to one another, this is noted as the BOLD lettering Ike minted in 1975 for the proof and business strike coins.  If the lettering is thinner and you can see some space between the letters, this is noted as the THIN lettering Ike minted in 1976 for the proof and business strike coins.  You may be asking yourself, well I don't know if the Ike I have is bold or thin because I don't have the other one to base it on.  You can take your coin into any dealer and ask them to show you a proof set from 1975 and 1976 and you will see the difference yourself on backside of the Ike Dollar.  If you are unable to get to a dealer, the web is has a good source of pictures.

Most price guides list the years in chronilogical order and once you determine your BOLD or THIN reverse no matter what variety or type they list the BOLD will be the price for the 1975 and the THIN will be the price for the 1976.  I hope this clears up any confusion.