Susan B. Anthony dollar values tell the story of America’s most misunderstood coin—a historic milestone that became a commercial disaster, with most examples worth just face value but rare varieties commanding up to $15,000.
Launched in July 1979 with great fanfare as the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a real woman, this copper-nickel clad dollar honored the pioneering suffragette who fought for women’s rights in the 19th century.
Designed by Frank Gasparro and measuring only 26.5mm in diameter with an eleven-sided inner border, the coin was intended to replace the bulky Eisenhower dollar. However, its silvery appearance and size so closely resembled the quarter that confused Americans routinely lost 75 cents in transactions, earning it the dubious distinction of being one of the Mint’s greatest failures.
Production limped along through 1981 before halting, with a surprising revival in 1999 to meet vending machine demand before the Sacagawea dollar’s debut.
Susan B Anthony Dollar Value Chart (1979-1981 & 1999)
Year | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979-P | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $13.67 | — |
1979-P Wide Rim | $2.22 | $7.61 | $12.50 | $48.33 | — |
1979-D | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $14.33 | — |
1979-S | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $15.67 | — |
1979-S Type 1 PR | $0.15 | $0.52 | $1.34 | $6.56 | — |
1979-S Type 2 PR | $1.26 | $4.33 | $11.08 | $29.61 | — |
1980-P | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $36.14 | — |
1980-D | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $13.33 | — |
1980-S | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $19.00 | — |
1980-S PR | $0.15 | $0.52 | $1.34 | $6.56 | — |
1981-P | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $16.00 | — |
1981-D | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $22.17 | — |
1981-S | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $91.50 | — |
1981-S Type 1 PR | $0.15 | $0.52 | $1.34 | $6.56 | — |
1981-S Type 2 PR | $3.52 | $12.07 | $30.90 | $72.38 | — |
1999-P | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $17.14 | — |
1999-D | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $18.00 | — |
1999-P PR | $0.15 | $0.52 | $1.34 | $13.56 | — |
Summary: Susan B. Anthony dollar value
Susan B. Anthony dollar values remain frustratingly low for most examples, with circulated coins and common dates worth only face value despite their historic significance.
The series offers few opportunities for profit: the 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) variety commands $250-500 in typical uncirculated grades but can reach $4,000 in MS67; the scarce 1981-S circulation strike trades for $40 in MS64 and $600 in MS66; and the Type 2 proof varieties of 1979-S and 1981-S sell for approximately six times more than their Type 1 counterparts.
The 1999 revival coins, struck in lower numbers (41.4 million total), offer modest premiums in high grades. Ultra-rare errors include 1999 examples struck on golden Sacagawea planchets, which have sold for over $7,700. While most Susan B. Anthony dollars achieved MS67 grades easily due to careful handling, MS68 and higher examples are genuinely scarce and valuable.
Despite production of over 888 million coins across all dates, the series remains an affordable complete set for collectors, with the entire 11-coin circulation strike collection available for under $50 in typical grades—a fitting irony for a coin that honored a champion of equality but failed to achieve equal acceptance with the public.
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