As a coin collector and numismatic expert, I‘ve long been fascinated by the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar series. This groundbreaking issue marked several important firsts in U.S. coinage history. It was the first small-size dollar coin, the first to feature a real woman‘s portrait, and the first to utilize the 11-sided inner border design.
While the Anthony dollar faced significant challenges in circulation, it remains a key modern issue that‘s widely collected today. The 1979 mintages in particular offer some of the series‘ most valuable and desirable varieties for specialists.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my insights on collecting and investing in 1979 Anthony dollars. We‘ll explore the key dates, varieties, and errors to look for, with detailed diagnostics and images. I‘ll also provide up-to-date pricing data, condition census information, and expert tips for cherrypicking these coins in circulation.
Whether you‘re a seasoned Anthony dollar collector or just starting out, this article will equip you with the knowledge needed to build a top-notch set of these historic issues. Let‘s dive in!
Background and Context
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was first released in 1979 to replace the larger Eisenhower dollar coins. With a diameter of 26.5 mm, it was the first small-size U.S. dollar and the first to feature an identifiable woman‘s portrait on the obverse.
That woman was Susan B. Anthony, the famed 19th-century social reformer who played a pivotal role in the women‘s suffrage movement. Her right-facing profile, designed by Frank Gasparro, marked a bold departure from the allegorical Liberty figures that had appeared on previous coins.
Unfortunately, the new Anthony dollars faced significant obstacles to circulation after their release. The coin‘s similar diameter to the Washington quarter led to confusion, with many vending machines, cash registers, and members of the public rejecting them.
As a result, the Anthony dollar series saw a sporadic mintage. No coins were produced from 1981-1998, save for a small run in 1981 to fulfill the Mint‘s contractual obligations for the numismatic community.
The series picked up again in 1999 due to a shortage of dollar coins in postal vending equipment. However, the Anthony dollar never managed to gain a foothold in commerce. In total, just over 888 million were struck before the series ended in 1999.
Despite their lackluster popularity in circulation, Anthony dollars remain an important and valuable series for modern collectors. The 1979 issues in particular contain some of the rarest and most sought-after varieties. Next, let‘s take a closer look at the notable 1979 issues and varieties.
1979 Mintages and Varieties
In 1979, the Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints all struck Anthony dollars for circulation. The San Francisco Mint also produced collector proof versions for inclusion in special sets.
Here‘s a breakdown of the mintages for each 1979 Anthony dollar issue:
| Issue | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1979 Philadelphia | 360,222,000 |
| 1979-D | 288,015,744 |
| 1979-S | 109,576,000 |
| 1979-S Proof | 3,677,175 |
Two major varieties emerged from the Philadelphia Mint in 1979 – the Wide Rim and Narrow Rim issues. On Wide Rim coins, the date is positioned close to the rim, leaving a noticeably wider space compared to Narrow Rim pieces. This variety is much scarcer, with an estimated mintage of just 800,000 coins out of the total 360 million Philadelphia strikes.
(Image credit: PCGS CoinFacts)
To identify a 1979-P Wide Rim coin, look for a distance between the date and rim that‘s about the same width as the "1" digit. On Narrow Rim coins, this space will be much thinner.
Notably, all 1979-D Anthony dollars are Narrow Rim varieties. Only the Philadelphia Mint used the Wide Rim dies.
San Francisco struck both Uncirculated and Proof Anthony dollars in 1979. The proofs were sold individually and as part of the regular Proof Set, Mint Set, and special Collector‘s Edition 6-piece set.
The Uncirculated 1979-S coins were released in mint sets only – none were struck for circulation. As a result, they‘re considerably scarcer than their Philadelphia and Denver counterparts.
Within the 1979-S Proof mintage, two important varieties exist: the Type 1 and Type 2 coins. The Type 1 or "Filled S" coins were struck from an early proof die with an obverse mintmark that became clogged with polishing debris. This created a blob-like filling in the upper loop of the S mintmark.
(Image credit: Heritage Auctions)
The Filled S error was caught early and the die replaced, but not before an estimated 10-20% of the total 1979-S Proof mintage was struck. Still, that relatively small percentage makes the 1979-S Type 1 Proof the key issue of the entire Anthony dollar series.
Condition Rarity and Values
As modern coins, 1979 Anthony dollars are widely collected by condition and grade. Examples in pristine Mint State (MS) or Proof (PR) condition are highly sought-after and command significant premiums.
Population reports from major third-party grading services PCGS and NGC help illustrate the condition rarity of top-graded 1979 Anthony dollars. Here‘s a snapshot of the population data for select 1979 issues in MS67 and higher grades, as of April 2023:
| Issue | PCGS MS67 | PCGS MS68 | NGC MS67 | NGC MS68 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-P | 26 | 1 | 51 | 1 |
| 1979-P Wide Rim | 19 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| 1979-D | 60 | 1 | 78 | 2 |
| 1979-S | 28 | 2 | 28 | 0 |
As you can see, gems graded MS67 or finer are rare across all 1979 issues. Just a handful of coins have been graded MS68 by PCGS and NGC to date, representing the finest examples known.
Values for 1979 Anthony dollars are highly dependent on grade and issue. Here are some representative prices for coins across the grading spectrum, based on recent auction data:
- 1979-P MS65: $20-$30
- 1979-P MS66: $50-$75
- 1979-P MS67: $1,000-$2,000
- 1979-P Wide Rim MS65: $150-$200
- 1979-P Wide Rim MS66: $400-$500
- 1979-P Wide Rim MS67: $5,000-$7,500
- 1979-D MS65: $15-$25
- 1979-D MS66: $40-$60
- 1979-D MS67: $750-$1,000
- 1979-S MS65: $30-$40
- 1979-S MS66: $100-$150
- 1979-S MS67: $1,500-$2,500
- 1979-S Type 1 Proof PR69DCAM: $5,000-$7,500
- 1979-S Type 2 Proof PR70DCAM: $700-$1,000
As you can see, the 1979-P Wide Rim and 1979-S Type 1 Proof varieties carry substantial premiums, even in lower grades. Gems graded MS/PR67 and finer are worth multiples of the more common examples.
Cherrypicking and Collecting Tips
For collectors looking to build a high-grade set of 1979 Anthony dollars, here are a few expert tips and strategies to keep in mind:
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Focus on eye appeal when selecting coins. The best 1979 Anthony dollars will have bright, lustrous surfaces free of major marks or blemishes. Look for examples with a bold strike and no planchet flaws.
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Use a 5x magnifying glass or loupe to inspect coins for hairlines, scuffs, or other signs of mishandling. Most 1979 issues will have some light marks in MS65 and below, but the surfaces should be relatively clean overall.
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Cherrypick 1979-P Wide Rim varieties from circulation finds or unsearched rolls. These coins turn up frequently in hoards and collections as unattributed pieces. Check the date position to identify the Wide Rim – it‘s worth pulling aside all 1979-P coins for a closer look.
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Consider pursuing a registry set of 1979 Anthony dollars. Both PCGS and NGC offer competitive registry sets for the series, with categories for complete mintmark sets, varieties, and finest-known collections. Participating in a registry can add an extra layer of challenge and enjoyment to your collecting goals.
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Stick to certified coins in the highest grades. For rare varieties and superb-gem examples, buy only PCGS- or NGC-graded pieces with a grade of MS/PR67 or higher. This will help ensure authenticity and condition, protecting the value of your investment.
FAQs
Q: Are all 1979 Anthony dollars silver?
A: No, Anthony dollars do not contain any silver. These coins have an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel, bonded to an inner core of pure copper.
Q: What‘s the most valuable 1979 Anthony dollar?
A: The 1979-S Type 1 Proof is generally considered the most valuable issue from this year, with gems grading PR69 and higher routinely selling for over $5,000. Circulation-strike 1979-P Wide Rim coins are also highly valuable, especially in MS67 or finer condition.
Q: How many 1979-S Type 1 Proof dollars exist?
A: The exact mintage of 1979-S Type 1 Proofs is unknown, but experts estimate that 10-20% of the total 1979-S Proof production of 3.6 million coins are the Type 1 Filled S variety. That would put the Type 1 mintage around 360,000 to 720,000 pieces.
Q: Why is the 1979-P Wide Rim variety so valuable?
A: The 1979-P Wide Rim is scarce because it was struck from an obverse die that was only used briefly at the Philadelphia Mint. An estimated 800,000 Wide Rim coins were produced before the Mint switched to Narrow Rim dies. That relatively limited production, combined with strong collector interest in the variety, makes Wide Rim coins highly valuable.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
The 1979 Anthony dollar series offers a wealth of collecting opportunities for modern coin enthusiasts. From the key Wide Rim and Filled S varieties to high-grade condition rarities, there are plenty of ways to approach this fascinating issue.
Here are a few key points to remember as you explore the world of 1979 Anthony dollars:
- Pay close attention to the date position and mintmark to identify the scarce 1979-P Wide Rim variety
- For the ultimate rarity, look for the 1979-S Type 1 Filled S Proof with a blob-like mintmark
- Focus on eye appeal and clean surfaces when cherrypicking coins from circulation
- In the highest grades, all 1979 issues are rare and valuable, with prices reaching into the thousands of dollars for superb-gem examples
- Consider assembling a complete variety set or registry set to add challenge and direction to your collecting goals
Whether you‘re a die-hard Anthony dollar specialist or a casual modern coin collector, the 1979 issues offer plenty of opportunities for exciting finds and additions to your collection. Armed with the knowledge and strategies outlined in this guide, you‘ll be well-prepared to navigate the market and build a top-notch set of these historic coins.
Happy collecting!
