The Susan B. Anthony dollar, often called the SBA dollar, occupies a special place in the history of American coinage. If you’ve ever found one in your spare change or held onto one from childhood, you might wonder: how much is a Susan B. Anthony silver dollar worth? Could it be a hidden gem?
Just recently, in September 2024, a Susan B. Anthony Dollar with No-Date sold for a remarkable $780.
Alt text: A high-resolution image showcasing a Susan B. Anthony No-Date Dollar sold for $780 in September 2024.
Another example is a 1979-S $1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar, which also sold in September 2024 for a staggering $3,600!
Alt text: Image of a 1979-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar sold for $3,600, highlighting its collector’s value.
As these examples show, some Susan B. Anthony dollars can be quite valuable. But how do you identify the valuable ones? And what makes them worth more than face value? Let’s dive in and explore the worth of Susan B. Anthony silver dollars.
Understanding the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
These coins were minted in the United States from 1979 to 1981, with a surprising re-emergence in 1999. While not commonly seen in everyday transactions today, certain Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth significantly more than a dollar, particularly to collectors.
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real woman. Before this, only allegorical figures like Lady Liberty were depicted on coins. The portrait of Susan B. Anthony, a tribute to her tireless advocacy for women’s rights, was designed by Frank Gasparro, then the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. His initials can be found on the obverse, near the lower right of Anthony’s portrait.
The Purpose Behind the SBA Dollar
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced to address the impracticality of the larger Eisenhower dollar. The Eisenhower dollar was bulky and unpopular for daily use. The SBA dollar was intended to be a smaller, lighter alternative. Unfortunately, its similar size and color to the quarter led to public confusion, hindering its widespread acceptance.
Key Characteristics of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
Alt text: Detailed image of the Susan B. Anthony dollar design, showcasing both obverse and reverse sides.
- Design:
- Obverse (Front): Features a right-facing portrait of Susan B. Anthony designed by Frank Gasparro. “LIBERTY” and the year of minting are inscribed around the portrait.
- Reverse (Back): Depicts an eagle landing on the moon, adapted from the Eisenhower dollar to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing. It also includes 13 stars, representing the original colonies.
- Size and Composition:
- Diameter: 26.5 millimeters.
- Weight: 8.1 grams.
- Composition: Copper-nickel alloy, giving it a silver appearance despite not containing any precious metals.
- Unique Traits:
- Reeded (grooved) edges, like a quarter.
- Its small size, similar to a quarter, caused confusion in circulation.
Reasons for Its Lack of Popularity
Due to the coin’s similarity to a quarter in size and color, it led to frequent mix-ups. Consequently, its use declined, and production was halted in 1981. However, it briefly reappeared in 1999 as change in postage stamp and subway token vending machines.
Factors Determining the Value of a Susan B. Anthony Dollar
While there’s limited general market interest in the SBA dollar due to its short minting period, coin collectors are drawn to its rarities. While condition (wear and tear) affects the coin’s value, rare varieties resulting from different die use during the minting process are the most valuable.
Some rare varieties include:
1979-P Wide Rim Variety
Identified by the date’s proximity to the rim of the coin.
Alt text: Close-up of a 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony dollar, emphasizing the position of the date relative to the rim.
1979-S Proof Type 2 (clear “S” mintmark)
This variety features a distinct, clear “S” mintmark, unlike the filled “S” found in the Type 1 version.
Alt text: A detailed shot of the 1979-S Proof Type 2 Susan B. Anthony dollar, highlighting the clear “S” mintmark.
1981-S Proof Type 2 (flat “S” mintmark)
Similar to the 1979-S, the mint mark is the distinguishing feature.
Alt text: Image showcasing the flat “S” mintmark of the 1981-S Proof Type 2 Susan B. Anthony dollar.
The latter two are proof coins, specifically made for collectors and featuring a mirrored finish. Therefore, you’re more likely to encounter the first two types of SBA dollars in circulation.
Current Value of Susan B. Anthony Dollars
Let’s say you have a 1979-S Proof Type 2 (clear “S” mintmark) coin in excellent condition. You could be sitting on a coin worth around $1955!
Alt text: Image illustrating the potential high value of a 1979-S Proof Type 2 Susan B. Anthony dollar.
A 1981-S Proof Type 2 (flat “S” mintmark) coin can be worth even more.
Alt text: Visual representation of the increasing value of Susan B. Anthony dollars, particularly the 1981-S Proof Type 2.
And your 1979-P Wide Rim Variety could fetch over $6,000!
Alt text: A 1979-P Wide Rim Variety Susan B. Anthony dollar, potentially worth over $6,000, pictured to emphasize its value.
Even if your coin isn’t in perfect condition, you can still get a reasonable return on your investment.
Unusual Finds and Errors
Beyond standard circulation coins and rare varieties, some anomalies in the SBA series are worth noting:
Transition Year Errors
During the transition between the SBA dollar and the Sacagawea dollar, some coins were mistakenly minted on the wrong blanks. A Sacagawea design imprinted on an SBA blank fetched a remarkable $12,075 at auction.
Alt text: An image of a transition year error featuring a Sacagawea design on a Susan B. Anthony dollar blank, highlighting its rarity and auction value.
SBA on Sacagawea Blank
Conversely, an SBA design on a Sacagawea blank is also a rarity and can command high prices.
Alt text: Rare Susan B. Anthony dollar minted on a Sacagawea dollar blank, potentially fetching a high price at auction.
How Much is a Susan B. Anthony Dollar Worth Today? (Estimated Values)
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-P | $2.00 | $1.05 | $3.00 | $2.20 |
| 1979-P Wide Rim | $10.00 | $6.00 | $30.00 | $22.00 |
| 1979-D | $2.00 | $1.05 | $2.50 | $2.00 |
| 1979-S | $2.00 | $1.10 | $2.50 | $2.00 |
| 1979-S Type 1 Proof | – | – | $8.00 | $6.30 |
| 1979-S Type 2 Proof * | – | – | $69.00 | $52.00 |
| 1980-P | $2.00 | $1.10 | $2.50 | $2.00 |
| 1980-D | $2.00 | $1.10 | $2.50 | $1.90 |
| 1980-S | $2.00 | $1.10 | $2.50 | $1.90 |
| 1980-S Proof | – | – | $5.00 | $3.00 |
| 1981-P | $2.00 | $1.10 | $4.50 | $3.50 |
| 1981-D | $2.00 | $1.10 | $4.90 | $3.70 |
| 1981-S | $2.00 | $1.10 | $5.20 | $3.70 |
| 1981-S Type 1 Proof | – | – | $7.00 | $5.00 |
| 1981-S Type 2 Proof * | – | – | $200.00 | $175.00 |
| 1999-P | $2.00 | $1.10 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| 1999-D | $2.00 | $1.10 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| 1999-P Proof | – | – | $20.00 | $16.50 |
| Complete Date-Mint Set Total Coins: 11 | $20.00 | $15.00 | $60.00 | $45.00 |
| Complete Date-Mint Set With Proof and Varieties Total Coins: 18 | – | – | $350.00 | $300.00 |
| Complete Date Set Total Coins: 4 | $8.00 | $4.00 | $15.00 | $10.00 |
Note: These values are estimates and can fluctuate based on market conditions and the specific condition of the coin.
Conclusion
The Susan B. Anthony dollar represents a tribute to a remarkable woman and a unique chapter in U.S. coinage. While most SBA dollars are worth only their face value, certain rare varieties can be worth significantly more. So, if you find an SBA dollar, take a closer look – it might be a valuable discovery!
