1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar
Mar 20, 2020 As the Susan B. Anthony Dollar now gracefully ages into its 40s, many coin collectors (especially those who remember these unusual coins from their youth) are turning to the “Susie B.” and collecting them either as a standalone series or in conjunction with the Eisenhower Dollar series predecessor. A typical Susan B. Anthony Dollar collection consists of only 18 coins, counting the various regular-issue business strikes and proofs, as well as varieties, from 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1999. The 1979 proof set is the first to feature the Susan B. 1979 is also also the year of 2 different types of proof sets - because the U.S. Mint changed the appearance of the 'S' mintmark on the coins in the proof set. One is called a 1979 proof set Type 1. The other is called a 1979 proof set Type 2. Anthony Dollar was introduced in 1979, as the first modern small sized dollar coin. Additional production only took place in 1980, 1981, and in 1999, following an eighteen year gap. Despite the limited extent of the series, it represented an important transformational step for the highest denomination of contemporary American coinage.
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was introduced in 1979, as the first modern small sized dollar coin. Additional production only took place in 1980, 1981, and in 1999, following an eighteen year gap. Despite the limited extent of the series, it represented an important transformational step for the highest denomination of contemporary American coinage. This site will provide historical information about the Susan B. Anthony Dollars, including the first production strike and release into circulation, complete mintage data, and details of each release of the series.
President Carter signed the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin Act into law in October 1978, which authorized the creation of the new dollar coin series. The obverse would feature a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, a famous figure in the women’s rights movement in the 19th century. The United States Mint’s Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro created the design based on plate that appeared in the 1881 six volume set History of Woman Suffrage. The word LIBERTY appears above the portrait, with thirteen stars are surrounding, configured seven to the right and six to the left. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is in the right field with the date is below.
The reverse features the same design that was used for the previous Eisenhower Dollar series, but in a smaller format. The design was based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia and features an eagle flying landing on the moon with an olive branch in its claws. Thirteen stars circle the eagle, and the earth as seen from the space appears in the background. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears above, with E PLURIBUS UNUM below. The denomination, spelled as ONE DOLLAR, is covering the lower part of the moon.
A complete set of circulating and proof Susan B. Anthony Dollars includes fifteen coins. If the 1979-P “narrow rim” and “wide rim” coins and the “type 1” and “type 2” 1979-S and 1981-S proof coins are included, the size of the set rises to eighteen. The most valuable coins of the series are the low mintage 1981 circulation strikes and the scarce type 2 proof varieties.
In addition to the coins struck for circulation, the San Francisco Mint also struck the Susan B. Anthony Dollar in proof format for collectors. These coins are produced through a specialized process which involves striking the coins multiple times with specially prepared dies. This results in sharp relief and a deep cameo effect, with mirrored backgrounds and frosted design elements. For the initial three years of the series, these proof coins were issued only within the annual proof sets.
The 1979-S Proof Susan B. Anthony Dollar (Buy on eBay) caused a stir within the collecting community when it was discovered that two different varieties of the “S” mint mark were used for the coins. The “Type 1″ variety for this year features a mint mark which appears to be filled. The “Type 2″ variety has a mint mark which is typically clear and shows a rounded top and bottom. The major third party grading services PCGS and NGC will designate the type of the coin on the holder.
1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar Wide Rim
The Type 2 variety is the scarcer of the two and commands a premium. From an overall mintage of 3,677,175 proofs, it is estimated that 400,000 to 500,000 of these carry the Type 2 or clear mint mark.
1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value D
Date: 1979 Proof
Mint Marks: S
Mintage: 3,677,175
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Diameter: 26.5 mm
Weight: 22.68 grams