Ever found a strange-looking “quarter” in your change that turned out to be something else entirely? That odd coin might be a Susan B Anthony dollar coin – America’s first small-sized dollar and one of the most fascinating failures in U.S. coinage history. While many were tossed into junk drawers and forgotten, some of these Susan B Anthony coins are now worth serious money to collectors.
From their rocky introduction to the surprising values some command today, this guide uncovers everything you need to know about these distinctive dollar coins. You might want to check those coin jars when you finish reading!
America’s First Female on Circulating Currency
The Susan B Anthony dollar coin represented a groundbreaking moment in American currency – the first time a real woman appeared on circulating U.S. coinage. Released in 1979, these coins honored the legendary women’s rights activist who fought tirelessly for women’s suffrage.
The decision to feature Anthony came after initial plans for the coin included Liberty again. But public advocacy, particularly from women’s organizations, successfully pushed for honoring a real female historical figure.
Despite this progressive step, the Susan B Anthony dollar coin faced an uphill battle from the moment it hit American cash registers.
The Coin That Confused America
The Susan B Anthony dollar coin suffered from one critical design flaw that doomed it from the start – it looked and felt too similar to a quarter! At 26.5mm in diameter, the coin was only slightly larger than the quarter’s 24.3mm size, and both had reeded edges.
In poor lighting conditions like restaurants, bars, or vending machine areas, people frequently confused these dollar coins with quarters, leading to frustration for both businesses and consumers. This confusion, more than any other factor, prevented the Susan B Anthony dollar coin from gaining widespread acceptance.
The U.S. Mint had hoped these smaller dollar coins would replace bulky Eisenhower dollars and solve the vending machine industry’s call for a dollar coin. Instead, they created what many numismatic experts now consider one of the greatest design miscalculations in American coinage history.
Production Years and Mintage
The Susan B Anthony dollar coin had an unusual production schedule:
- 1979: Initial release with high mintages (over 757 million coins)
- 1980: Reduced production as public resistance became evident
- 1981: Minimal production for collector sets only
- 1999: Surprising revival for one final year (almost two decades later!)
This strange, interrupted production history creates an interesting collecting challenge – and contributes to some Susan B Anthony dollar coins being much more valuable than others.
What Makes These Dollar Coins Special: Design Elements
Despite its commercial failure, the Susan B Anthony dollar coin features several notable design elements:
Obverse (Front) Design:
- Portrait of Susan B. Anthony facing right
- “LIBERTY” inscribed above the portrait
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the right
- Mint date below
- Mint mark (P, D, or S) near Anthony’s neck
Reverse (Back) Design:
- Modified Apollo 11 mission insignia showing an eagle landing on the moon
- Thirteen stars representing the original colonies
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the top edge
- “ONE DOLLAR” along the bottom edge
The reverse design carried over from the previous Eisenhower dollar, commemorating the historic moon landing – creating an interesting juxtaposition between women’s rights and space exploration achievements.
Key Dates and Varieties to Watch For
While most Susan B Anthony dollar coins are worth little over face value, several key dates and varieties can be worth significant premiums:
The 1979-P Wide Rim Variety
Early in 1979, the Philadelphia Mint produced a variety with the date positioned closer to the rim and the rim appearing wider than on later coins. These “Wide Rim” varieties can sell for $30-$50 in uncirculated condition.
How to spot it: The “9” in the date nearly touches Anthony’s bust, and the rim appears thicker.
The 1981-S Type 2 Proof
In 1981, the San Francisco Mint changed the way they produced proof coins mid-year, creating clearer, more defined mint marks. The Type 2 proof with the clearer S mint mark is significantly rarer and can command $50-$100 or more in perfect condition.
All 1981 Business Strikes
With extremely low mintages for circulation (just 3.2 million from Philadelphia and 3.5 million from Denver), any 1981 Susan B Anthony dollar coin in uncirculated condition is worth keeping. These can sell for $5-$25 depending on condition.
Susan B Anthony Dollar Coin Values Today
So what exactly are these coins worth now? Here’s a breakdown:
Common Dates (Most 1979 and 1999 Issues)
- Circulated condition: Generally just face value ($1)
- Uncirculated condition: $2-$5
- Proof specimens: $5-$10
Better Dates and Varieties
- 1979-P Wide Rim: $30-$50 uncirculated
- 1981-P and 1981-D: $5-$25 uncirculated
- 1981-S Type 2 Proof: $50-$100
Error Coins
As with all U.S. coins, errors can dramatically increase value:
- Double die varieties: $50-$300
- Off-center strikes: $100-$500 depending on severity
- Wrong planchet errors: $500-$2,500+
The most valuable Susan B Anthony dollar coin? A perfect MS-67 example of the 1979-P Wide Rim variety sold for over $15,000 at auction – not bad for a coin with a face value of just one dollar!
How to Identify Your Susan B Anthony Dollar Coins
Want to check if your Susan B Anthony dollar coins might be valuable? Here’s a quick identification guide:
Step 1: Check the Date and Mint Mark
- The date appears below Anthony’s portrait
- The mint mark is found near her neck:
- P = Philadelphia
- D = Denver
- S = San Francisco
Step 2: Look for Key Varieties
For 1979-P coins, measure the distance between the date and the bust – if they nearly touch, you might have the valuable Wide Rim variety.
For 1981-S proofs, examine the mint mark under magnification – a bold, clear S indicates the valuable Type 2 variety.
Step 3: Assess Condition
Uncirculated coins show no wear and retain their original mint luster. Even minimal circulation wear can significantly reduce value for collector coins.
The Failed Dollar That Found New Purpose
Despite its commercial failure, the Susan B Anthony dollar coin found unexpected purpose in two specific areas:
Mass Transit Systems
Transit authorities embraced these dollar coins for ticket machines, particularly in cities like Washington DC, Baltimore, and New York. Their small size and distinctive design worked well in automated systems.
U.S. Postal Service
Post office stamp vending machines became major users of the Susan B Anthony dollar coin, giving customers dollar-coin change that could be reused in the machines.
This niche utility led to the surprising 1999 comeback of the Susan B Anthony dollar coin when Treasury supplies ran low before the Sacagawea dollar was ready for release.
Collecting Susan B Anthony Dollar Coins: Getting Started
For beginning collectors, Susan B Anthony dollar coins offer an accessible entry point:
Basic Date Set
With only four years of production (1979, 1980, 1981, and 1999), collecting one coin from each year is an easy starting point.
Complete Date and Mint Mark Set
A more comprehensive approach includes all 11 regular issue coins from the different mints each year.
The affordability of most issues makes this an achievable collection for nearly any budget – most coins can be found for under $10 each in uncirculated condition, with only a few key dates commanding significant premiums.
Preservation Tips: Keeping Your Coins Valuable
If you discover valuable Susan B Anthony dollar coins in your collection, proper storage is critical for maintaining their value:
- Never clean your coins – the original surfaces are essential for collector value
- Store in non-PVC holders designed specifically for coins
- Handle only by the edges to avoid fingerprints on the faces
- Consider professional grading for particularly valuable examples
Why Susan B Anthony Dollar Coins Still Matter
Though they failed commercially, these innovative coins marked several important milestones:
- First U.S. coin to feature a real, historical woman rather than an allegorical figure
- Last U.S. dollar coin with a traditional copper-nickel composition
- Important lesson in coinage design that influenced later dollar coins
The Susan B Anthony dollar coin provided valuable lessons that shaped the later Sacagawea dollar and Presidential dollar series, both of which featured distinctive gold coloration and smooth edges to avoid confusion with quarters.
Where to Sell Your Susan B Anthony Dollar Coins
If you’ve discovered valuable Susan B Anthony dollar coins in your collection, getting expert evaluation is crucial to receiving fair value. Eagle Coins Gold and Silver Buying, with 40 years of numismatic experience, offers professional appraisal services for these and all collectible coins.
Their knowledgeable team can identify valuable varieties and dates, authenticate mint state examples, spot valuable errors, and provide fair market valuations based on current collector demand.
Conclusion: America’s Misunderstood Dollar
The Susan B Anthony dollar coin represents one of the most interesting chapters in modern American coinage – a forward-thinking design honoring a pioneering woman that stumbled due to practical flaws. While they may have confused cashiers and consumers, these distinctive coins now fascinate collectors and historians alike.
Before dismissing that “odd quarter” as just another dollar coin, take a closer look – you might be holding one of the valuable varieties worth far more than face value. From honoring women’s rights to teaching important lessons about coin design, the Susan B Anthony dollar coin’s legacy extends far beyond its brief time in cash registers.
Want to know if your Susan B Anthony dollar coins have hidden collector value? The experts at Eagle Coins Gold and Silver Buying can help identify those special varieties worth more than their face value. Visit eaglecoinsgoldandsilverbuying.com or call 508-252-8888 to learn what your coins might be worth!