How to Identify the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
A collector's walkthrough for confirming a Susan B. Anthony Dollar: the portrait, the eagle-and-moon reverse, size versus a quarter, and mint marks.
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Begin with the obverse portrait. A Susan B. Anthony Dollar shows a right-facing profile of Susan B. Anthony, with LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date around her. She is framed by an eleven-sided inner border and a ring of stars. Because she is a named, real woman rather than an allegorical Liberty figure, this portrait alone confirms the type — no other U.S. circulating coin of the era looks like it.
Turn the coin over. The reverse shows an eagle with wings outstretched, descending toward the moon with Earth in the distance, encircled by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. This is the Apollo 11 insignia motif shared with the earlier Eisenhower dollar, so seeing it on a small coin — rather than the large Ike — points to the Anthony dollar.
Check size, color, and edge next. The coin is copper-nickel clad, silver-gray, about 26.5 mm across and near 8.1 grams, with a reeded edge — close enough to a quarter that people confused the two. The quickest way to separate them: a quarter has an eagle-and-shield or state/park reverse and George Washington's portrait, while the Anthony dollar has the moon-eagle reverse, Anthony's portrait, and the distinctive multi-sided inner rim.
Find the mint mark on the obverse, at the lower left near Anthony's shoulder. You may see P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco). S-marked coins are often proofs with mirrored fields and frosted devices, made for collectors. The date matters too: 1979 and 1980 are the common circulation years, 1981 came largely from Mint sets, and 1999 marks the brief final revival.
For variety hunters, a few details are worth a magnifier. On 1979-P coins, compare the rim: the scarcer "Wide Rim" (Near Date) variety has the date positioned closer to the rim than the common "Narrow Rim" type. Certain 1979-S and 1981-S proofs also come in clear versus filled mint-mark styles. These are the coins where authentication or third-party grading (such as PCGS or NGC) can add confidence and value; ordinary circulated examples need no special verification.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a Susan B. Anthony Dollar from a quarter?
Look at the design. The dollar shows Susan B. Anthony and an eagle landing on the moon within an eleven-sided inner border; a quarter shows George Washington and an eagle-shield or park/state reverse. The dollar is also slightly larger.
Where is the mint mark on this coin?
On the obverse, at the lower left near Anthony's shoulder. Look for P, D, or S. An S usually indicates a collector proof struck at San Francisco.
What is the 1979 'Wide Rim' variety?
It is a 1979-P variety where the date sits closer to the rim than the common 'Narrow Rim' coins. The Wide Rim (Near Date) type is scarcer and can carry a premium, so it is worth checking date position under magnification.
Should I clean my Susan B. Anthony Dollar?
No. Cleaning scratches the surface and lowers collector value. Identify and, if needed, grade the coin as-is, and leave any potentially valuable variety or proof to a professional service.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar identified by the community
Recent Susan B. Anthony Dollar coins identified with Coin Identifier.
