The Susan B Anthony dollar is a United States dollar coin minted from 1979 to 1981. In its MS (63) it ranges between $2.28 – $67 while in its Proof mint it cost approximately between $7.88 – $55
The 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar has the highest mintage of the other years in this series. Generally, this dollar was poorly accepted when it was released and was not widely circulated. This has left a lot of it in Uncirculated condition.
This dollar has many different varieties and these are also valued differently. Some mint mark varieties are relatively valuable. The wide rim far date variety is loved among collectors and is more valuable than the narrow rim.
1979 Susan B Anthony Dollars – History
The production of this coin lasted from only 1979 to 1981. The public acceptance of this coin was so poor it had to be stopped. Another trial was done in 1999, almost 10 years after the initial production, but it didn’t seem to have much success either as it lasted for only one year before it was stopped again.
The first minting of these coins occurred at the Philadelphia mint in December 1978 and for the first time since the Jefferson nickel issued during World War Two, these coins bore the “p” mint mark. It was in 1979 that the San Francisco mint and Denver mint joined in striking the Susan B Anthony dollar.
| 1979 Susan B Anthony | |
| Location | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 31,502,000 |
| Denver | 9,966,800 |
| San Francisco | 10,156,000 |
| Total | 51,624,800 |
The original plan was to use Lady Liberty on the Obverse, in fact, a design of an allegorical Liberty had already been done by Gasparro but after many organizations and individuals in Congress called for the depiction of an actual woman instead of a symbol, that plan had to be stopped.
After several proposals were made, social reformer Susan B Anthony was chosen as the face of the design. This was the first time in American history a real woman was used on a coin.
Anthony’s niece rejected two of Gasparro’s depictions of her aunt. One from when she was 28 years old and the other of her at age 84 which she said made her look too old. He considered using a photo of her from age 50 which was the peak of her influence but he found no photo of her at that age.
| 1979 Susan B Dollar | |
| Metal Composition | 75% Copper – 25% nickel |
| Mass/Weight | 8.10 grams |
| Diameter | 26.50 mm |
| Thickness | 2.00 mm |
| Mint Marks | “P” “D” “S” |
| Design Date (Obverse) | 1979 |
| Design Date (Reverse) | 1971 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Designer | Frank Gasparro |
The design suffered much criticism from numismatists. Some argued that the portrayal of Susan B Anthony will cause other movements to insist on being represented on the coinage. Some others said a portrait of Susan B Anthony as the obverse had no relationship with the Apollo 11 reverse.
One and a half billion of this dollar was minted but unfortunately, it was poorly received by the public. Majorly because it looked too much like the quarter (its size and metallic composition.
As a result of the poor acceptance, much of the coins struck remained in government stockpiles and this has made them available in Uncirculated conditions now.
The 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar
Obverse
The Obverse design of this coin depicts the social reformer, Susan B Anthony. This would be the first time an actual woman was depicted on an American coin. It pictures her right portrait with her pulled back neatly and clipped.
It also has “LIBERTY” inscribed right above her head. There are 14 stars on this surface, 7 stars can be found on the left while 6 stars can be found on the right-hand side. Under her bust, you will find “1979” boldly inscribed.
Also notable is the mint mark on her right shoulder, all mint marks for this 1979 dollar are placed at that position. Including those that were struck in the Philadelphia mint which was marked for the first time in1979. Beneath her left shoulder, you will find “FG” for Frank Gasparro inscribed. In God we trust is also visibly inscribed on the right side of the coin obverse.
Reverse
On the back of the coin just at the top, close to the rim is boldly inscribed United States of America . An American bald eagle with its wings spread, clutching a Laurel branch is almost encircled by 13 well spread out stars. It is inspired by the Apollo 11 mission insignia and the eagle is displayed over a landscape of the moon. E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed close to the left wing of the eagle. The “ONE DOLLAR” inscription is found beneath the eagle.
1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value & Types
The 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar was produced in three Mints each having its value.
- Philadelphia (P mint mark)
- Denver (D mint mark)
- San Francisco (S mint mark)
If you are looking to identify the mint of this particular coin, the mint mark of the Susan B Anthony dollar is positioned at the left-hand bottom of the obverse, right above her left shoulder. For the first time after such a long time the Philadelphia mint inscribed marks on the pieces produced.
These are some of the varieties that will be discussed in this article;
- The Philadelphia mint (wide rim- near date)
- The Philadelphia mint ( narrow rim – far date)
- The San Francisco ( Filled S variety)
- The San Francisco ( Clear S variety)
- The Denver mint
1979-P-Susan B Anthony Dollar Value (narrow rim- far date)
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | 360, 222,000 |
| Minted At | Philadelphia |
| Mint Mark | “P” |
This variety has a narrow rim on the obverse of the coin. You will notice that there is more spacing between the 1979 date and the rim, this is because the 11- sided rim is slightly narrower. This variety is called the “far date” because the date is farther away from the rim.
The Susan B Anthony Dollar price range is between $2.28 to $7400 in the MS 60- MS 68 grade
Below are some examples of 1945 P Half Dollar coins sold at auction;
- 1979- P-Susan B Anthony $1 Narrow rim MS61 struck on 25 C Planchet NGC Sold on July 15, 2015, for: $3,600.00 This is an error coin, the $1 dollar design was struck on a 25 cent Planchet.
- 1979-P- $1 Narrow Rim, Susan B Anthony Dollar Obverse Die Breaks MS65 NGC Sold on July 15,2021 for:$900.00 Here is another narrow rim error coin graded MS65 by NGC. It is in superb condition, it’s shiny and its luster has been preserved and its surface barely has any abrasions.
| 1979 P Susan B Anthony Dollar (narrow rim) Value by USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| MS (63) | $2.28 |
| 1979 P Susan B Anthony Dollar (narrow rim) Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| MS 66 | $38.00 |
| MS 66+ | $52.00 |
| MS 67 | $210.00 |
| MS 67+ | $875.00 |
| MS 68 | $7,750.00 |
1979 P Susan B Anthony Value & Chart (wide rim- near date)
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | N/A |
| Minted At | Philadelphia |
| Mint Mark | P |
In this variety the 11 sided rim is slightly thicker, therefore occupying more space and reducing the spacing between the 1979 date and the rim. This is why it is called the ” Wide rim-near date” variety.
The wide rim Susan B Anthony Dollar is one variation that is very much loved by collectors. In MS condition, it can be worth $5 to $7750.
Some coins have sold for significantly high amounts in auctions. Below are a couple of examples.
- 1979-P-SBA wide rim Sold on February 4, 2016 for: $6,462.50This is one of the only 14 examples of the wide rim variety certified by PCGS as MS67 and it is the only MS67+. It has a beautiful mixture of gold and sky blue colors at the front and back of the coin. It is a well-struck coin with clearly defined lines and letters.
- 1979-P- $1 wide rim MS67 PCGS Sold on July 12, 2019 for:$1,920.00
Here is another very beautiful wide rim 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar in MS67 condition with an amazing strike and high eye appeal. The multicolor toning on the front and back of this coin is terrific
- 1979-P-$1 wide rim MS67 PCGS Sold on March 4 2016 for $2820.00This is a silver MS67 coin, it still has some luster and surface shine.
| 1979 P Susan B Dollar (Wide rim) Value By USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| Brilliant Uncirculated MS (63) | $67.00 |
| Melt Value | $0.0708 |
| 1979 P Susan B Dollar (Wide rim) Value By PCGS | |
| Grade (MS) | Price |
| MS 60 | $20.00 |
| MS 64 | $50.00 |
| MS 66 | $125.00 |
| MS 67 | $1900.00 |
| MS 67+ | $6500.00 |
1979 D Susan B Anthony Value & Chart
This variety has a mintage of over two hundred and eighty pieces. It was struck in the Denver mint, it has its mint mark on the reverse, just a little above Susan Anthony’s shoulder.
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | 288,015,744 |
| Minted At | Denver |
| Mint Mark | D |
The 1979- D -Susan B Anthony dollar is valued at $5 to $210 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
Some people who have been lucky enough to own one either have it locked away for preservation or sold at auctions, below are some examples of the 1945 S walking liberty half dollar sold at auction.
- 1979- D-Susan B Anthony $1 MS68 Sold on January 15, 2017 for: $1527.00 Only one from the Denver Mint has been graded MS68 condition by NGC or PGC The toning of this dollar is incredible. It has minor surface wear around her cheek but still has a high visual appeal
- 1979-D-$1 Susan B Anthony Dollar Major Straight Clip MS63 Sold on July 15, 2021 for: $1200.00 Here is another error coin from the Denver mint. It has a clip error on the Obverse left-hand side, It weighs 6.97 grams.
| 1979-D-Susan B Anthony Dollar Value by USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| MS (63) | $2.28 |
| 1979 – D- Susan B Anthony Dollar Value by PCGS | |
| Grade (MS) | Price ($) |
| MS 60 | $5 |
| MS 65 | $25 |
| MS 65+ | $28 |
| MS 66 | $38 |
| MS 66+ | $52 |
| MS 67 | $210 |
1979 S Susan B Anthony Value & Chart
This variety was struck in the San Francisco mint and has 109,576,000 mintage. According to USAcoinbook, this is the business strike version of San Francisco minted pieces.
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | 109,576,000 |
| Minted At | San Francisco |
| Mint Mark | S |
| 1979-S- Susan B Anthony Dollar Value by PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| MS 62 | $5.00 |
| MS 65 | $28.00 |
| MS 65+ | $32.00 |
| MS 66+ | $65.00 |
| MS 67 | $265.00 |
| MS 68 | $4,850.00 |
1979 S Type 1 Filled S Proof Susan B Anthony Value & Chart
The S mint mark in this Type one is filled and it is not very clear, it almost looks like the S is in a box. It is only available in proof condition.
The picture above shows a representation of the difference between a filled S and a clear S.
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | 3,677,175 |
| Minted At | San Francisco |
| Mint Mark | S |
| 1979 -S-Susan B Anthony Dollar (Type 1) Value by USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| Proof (65) | $7.88 |
- 1979-S-SBA MS68 PCGS Sold on August 7, 2014 for $3818.75 This filled S Susan B dollar also known as a Type one is in pristine condition as it has been very well preserved. It is still very lustrous and has maintained all its fine details, even the surface of the coin is still very lovely to look at as it is free of scratches and wear.
- 1979-S- Susan B Taylor MS68 PCGS Sold on March 26, 2010 for $4887.50 Another beautiful Type 1 Susan B Anthony coin in great condition. The toning on the front and back of the coin is amazing. The surface and letters are also looking very good.
1979 Clear S Proof Susan B Type 2 Anthony Value & Chart
The Type 2 Susan B Anthony dollar has a clear and well-defined letter “S” as the mint mark. It can only be found in proof condition.
| Group | Dollars |
| Mintage | N/A |
| Minted At | San Francisco |
| Mint Mark | S |
| 1979 -S-Susan B Anthony Dollar (Type 2) Value by USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| Proof (65) | $55.00 |
- 1979-S- SBA $1 Type Two PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS Sold on June 1,2007 for $1,955.00 This is a Type 2 clear S mint mark Susan B Anthony dollar. It is a Proof (PR70) coin. This coin is in superb condition
- 1979-S- SBA $1 Type Two PR70 Deep Cameo Sold on January 7, 2006 for $1,092.50 Another example of a Clear S mint mark Proof Susan B Anthony dollar. This coin has been well preserved. The toning is really beautiful, it has a soft gold toning at the front and back, the gold at the back is a little deeper than the front.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar worth?
In its Uncirculated (MS) condition it ranges between $2.28 to $67 while in its proof mint it costs approximately $7.88 to $55. Other conditions like errors and varieties will also affect the price.
Where is the mint mark on the 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar?
You will find the mint mark on the Obverse of the coin, just above Susan B Anthony’s right shoulder? You should expect to see any of these 3 mint marks “P” for Philadelphia
“D” for Denver “S” for San Francisco.
What is a near date 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar?
The P Susan B Anthony dollar has two varieties. The “wide rim- near date” and the “narrow rim- far date.” The wide rim is also the near date variety, because of the thick rim, the distance between the inscription of the year and the bottom rim of the coin is reduced.
The narrow rim is also the far date variety, since the rim is thin, it gives enough space between the inscription of the year and the bottom rim of the coin. The “wide rim- near date” variety is more appreciated than the far date by collectors.
Summary
With so many varieties, there are obviously different things to consider when you want to buy or sell a 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar as discussed in this article. Since this coin wasn’t very appreciated when it was released, it was stored and because of this, the coin is relatively available in Uncirculated condition. This means they won’t have so much wear on the surface since they didn’t really stay in circulation.
