Susan B. Anthony Dollar

Country of Origin: United States of America

Year of Issue: 1979

Denomination: One Dollar ($1)

Composition: Outer layers of 75% copper, 25% nickel bonded to a core of pure copper

Susan B. Anthony Dollar

Brief Description

A small, silver-colored dollar coin featuring Susan B. Anthony and a distinctive eleven-sided inner border.

Historical Significance

Introduced in 1979 to replace the large Eisenhower dollar, it was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real woman. It was unpopular due to its similarity in size and color to the quarter.

Estimated Value

$1 in circulated condition; $2-$5 in uncirculated (MS-63+); up to $20+ for 1979-P Near Date (Wide Rim) varieties in high grades.

Care Instructions

Handle by the edges to avoid fingerprint oils. Do not clean or polish, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free flip or coin tube.

Mint Mark

P (Philadelphia) - visible above Anthony's shoulder on the obverse.

Mintage & Rarity

Common; 1979-P mintage was approximately 360,222,000.

Weight & Diameter

8.1 grams / 26.5 mm

Edge

Reeded

Apparent Grade

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. The coin shows minor surface marks and light wear on high points but retains good detail.

Obverse (Front)

Portrait of social reformer Susan B. Anthony facing right; 'LIBERTY', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', date 1979, and 13 stars. Designed by Frank Gasparro.

Reverse (Back)

Apollo 11 mission insignia: an eagle landing on the Moon carrying an olive branch, with Earth in the background. 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE DOLLAR'.

What Drives This Coin's Value

Condition/Grade and the specific variety (Narrow vs. Wide Rim). This appears to be the common 'Narrow Rim' variety.

Similar Coins

The Washington Quarter (often confused due to size), and the Sacagawea or Presidential Dollars (different color and designs).

Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags

Check for the 11-sided inner border, the copper core visible on the edge, and the specific 'P', 'D', or 'S' mint marks. Counterfeits of this common coin are extremely rare.

Notable Varieties & Errors

1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date), where the rim is thicker and closer to the date; 1979-S Proof Type 1 vs Type 2 'clear S'.

Created At: 2026-06-13T19:49:38.915239