If you have a small, non-silver dollar coin dated 1979 featuring a portrait of Lady Liberty, you almost certainly have a Susan B. Anthony Dollar. While it does depict Liberty on the obverse (front), it's officially named after the famous women's suffrage leader.
This coin is famous for being unpopular with the public due to its similarity in size and color to the quarter, which caused confusion at cash registers. Because over 750 million were minted in 1979, a standard, circulated Susan B. Anthony dollar is only worth its face value: $1.00.
However, there are two specific varieties from 1979 that are worth a premium to collectors. This guide will show you how to identify them.
How to Check Your 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
First, find the mint mark. It's a small letter on the front of the coin, to the left of Susan B. Anthony's portrait.
- P = Philadelphia Mint
- D = Denver Mint
- S = San Francisco Mint
The Valuable Circulating Variety: 1979-P "Narrow Rim"
This is the main valuable version you can find in circulation. Early in the production run at the Philadelphia mint, the die used created a rim that was very thin, making the date appear very close to the edge of the coin. This was quickly changed to a thicker rim (the "Wide Rim" variety).
- How to Identify: Look at the date "1979" on a coin with a "P" mint mark. On a Narrow Rim coin, the date will be very close to the coin's edge, with only a tiny gap. On the common Wide Rim coin, there is a much more noticeable, thicker rim between the date and the edge.
- Value: A circulated 1979-P Narrow Rim dollar is worth about $5 to $15. Uncirculated examples can be worth $30 or more.
The Valuable Collector Version: 1979-S "Type 2" Proof
The San Francisco ("S") mint produced collector-only proof coins with a mirror-like finish. In 1979, they used two different mint mark punches.
- Type 1 (Common): The "S" mint mark looks filled-in and blob-like. This is very common. Value: $2 - $4.
- Type 2 (Scarce): The mint used a clearer, more defined punch for the "S" later in the year. The "S" has clear, sharp serifs and is not blob-like. This mint mark punch was also used for 1981 proofs. Value: $40 - $100+.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar made of silver?
No. Despite its color, the coin is made of a copper-nickel clad composition, just like a modern quarter. It contains no silver.
Why was the Susan B. Anthony dollar so unpopular?
Its primary failure was its size and reeded edge, which were too similar to the U.S. quarter. This led to frequent mistakes when making change, and the public largely rejected the coin in favor of the dollar bill.
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