The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a unique and historic coin with an intriguing story. First minted in 1979, it was the first U.S. coin to feature a real woman rather than an allegorical female figure. The woman on the coin, Susan B. Anthony, was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the women‘s suffrage movement to win the right to vote for women.
While the Susan B. Anthony dollar was a groundbreaking coin, it ultimately failed to circulate widely and was only minted for a few years. However, its rarity and historical significance make it a valuable and sought-after coin for collectors today.
In this guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the Susan B. Anthony dollar—its history, how to evaluate its condition, and what these coins are worth on the collector market. Whether you‘re a seasoned numismatist or just starting to collect coins, you‘ll find useful information here to help you appreciate these pioneering pieces of American currency.
The History and Design of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
Susan B. Anthony, the social reformer featured on the coin, was a leading figure in the women‘s suffrage movement in the late 19th century. After being arrested for voting illegally in the 1872 presidential election, Anthony traveled the country giving speeches and lobbying for a woman‘s right to vote. Although she died in 1906, her tireless work helped pave the way for the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 which prohibited denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex.
Nearly 60 years later, the U.S. Mint decided to honor Anthony‘s legacy by making her the first real woman featured on a circulating U.S. coin. (Previously, only allegorical figures like Lady Liberty had appeared on coins.) Mint Director Stella Hackel pushed for the new dollar coin design as a way to replace the large Eisenhower dollars and address a coin shortage.
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was minted from 1979-1981, then again for one year in 1999. The obverse (front) features a profile portrait of Anthony designed by Frank Gasparro, the Mint‘s chief engraver. The reverse shows an eagle landing on the moon, representing the Apollo 11 mission, surrounded by 13 stars.
The new coin was made from a copper-nickel clad alloy and intended for general circulation. However, the public never fully embraced the Susan B. Anthony dollars. Many people found the coin too close in size and appearance to the quarter, leading to confusion. Ironically, the Eisenhower dollar it was meant to replace also remained more popular. Banks and retailers were reluctant to switch to the new Susan B. dollars, so many coins never made it into circulation.
As a result, the Susan B. Anthony dollar had a very short run and the series was halted after 1981. The leftover coins sat in vaults until the government finally decided to issue more in 1999 to use up the surplus. In total, around 888 million Susan B. Anthony dollars were minted, but the vast majority were never used as intended.
Grading and Evaluating the Condition of Susan B. Anthony Dollars
Because relatively few Susan B. Anthony dollars circulated, the condition of surviving coins is an important factor in determining their collectible value. Coins are graded on a 70-point scale developed by the American Numismatic Association, ranging from "Poor" (barely identifiable) to perfect Mint State.
Here are the main coin grades and how to tell them apart for the Susan B. Anthony dollar:
Poor (PO-1): The coin is heavily worn, but the date and lettering are still readable. Anthony‘s portrait is flattened and lacking details.
Fair (FR-2): The bronze core of the coin may be exposed in spots from heavy wear. The design elements like the hair, clothing and lettering are only partially visible.
About Good (AG-3): The coin has very heavy even wear, but a few elements like the hair and clothing lines are partially visible. The rim may be worn into the lettering.
Good (G-4): All major design elements are visible but lack fine details. Anthony‘s hair and facial features are worn smooth, as are the eagle‘s feathers. Rims are nearly full but may be worn in spots.
Very Good (VG-8): Moderate to heavy even wear. The elements of Anthony‘s portrait and hair are visible but lack detail. The eagle is worn but fully outlined. Peripheral lettering is complete.
Fine (F-12): Moderate even wear with the major design elements clear. Anthony‘s hair shows some detail and her facial features are visible but lack intricacy. Eagle‘s wings show separations.
Very Fine (VF-20): Light wear with some finer details still present. The high points of Anthony‘s hair, cheekbone, and nose show light wear. Most of the eagle‘s fine feather details are visible.
Extremely Fine (EF-40): Only the lightest friction on the high points and traces of mint luster may still be present. Nearly all fine details of the hair and facial features are sharp. The eagle‘s feathers are crisp.
About Uncirculated (AU-50, 55, 58): No wear from circulation but the coin may have contact marks, hairlines or a slightly impaired luster. Overall the coin looks brand new at a glance.
Mint State (MS-60 to 70): Uncirculated coins in pristine condition with full original mint luster. They are graded from 60 to 70 based on the number and severity of marks and hairlines, with MS-70 being perfect.
As with most coins, higher grade Susan B. Anthony dollars are more scarce and valuable. However, since these coins didn‘t circulate heavily, even pristine examples in MS-65 and above are readily available for most issues. The real key is finding exceptional, high-end uncirculated coins with virtually no marks, which can sell for a significant premium.
Luster is an important factor in determining the grade of an uncirculated Susan B. Anthony dollar. The coins should have a frosty, satiny or semi-reflective shine from the dies imparting the design. Those with the best luster have a cartwheel effect when rotated in the light. Avoid coins with a dull or hazy appearance. Signs of cleaning or damage will significantly reduce the grade and value.
Strike is another aspect to consider. A "full strike" Susan B. Anthony dollar will have complete, sharp details in the high points of the design, like Anthony‘s hair and the eagle‘s breast feathers. Weak strikes with mushy details are less desirable. Some well-struck coins will have a raised ridge of metal around the rim called a "fin," which disappears with wear.
Some collectors also look for special varieties like Deep Cameo or Full Bands designations on certain proof Susan B. Anthony dollars. These display extra fine frosted details and can fetch a premium. Similarly, coins with toned surfaces in attractive colors are gaining popularity and value.
To have your Susan B. Anthony dollars officially graded, you can submit them to third-party grading services like PCGS or NGC. For a fee, these companies will grade your coin, authenticate it, and seal it in a protective plastic holder to preserve its condition.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Values and Auction Prices
With the Susan B. Anthony series, the most important factor in determining a coin‘s worth is usually its grade rather than the date or mint mark. There are relatively few rare key dates, with most issues quite common in grades up to MS-66.
Here is a general breakdown of recent auction prices for Susan B. Anthony dollars in various conditions:
Year & Mint:
1979-P, D, S – Average Circulated (Poor to Fine): $2-$10
- Very Fine, Extremely Fine & About Uncirculated: $10-$25
- Uncirculated & Select Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-63): $10-$30
- Choice & Gem Uncirculated (MS-64 to MS-66): $20-$50
- Superb Gem (MS-67+): $50-$200
1980-P, D, S – Average Circulated: $2-$5
- VF/XF/AU: $5-$15
- MS-60 to MS-63: $5-$20
- MS-64 to MS-66: $10-$30
- MS-67+: $30-$100
1981-P, D, S – Average Circulated: $2-$5
- VF/XF/AU: $5-$15
- MS-60 to MS-63: $5-$20
- MS-64 to MS-66: $10-$30
- MS-67+: $30-$100
1999-P, D – Average Circulated: $5-$15
- VF/XF/AU: $10-$25
- MS-60 to MS-63: $10-$30
- MS-64 to MS-66: $20-$50
- MS-67+: $50-$150
As you can see, the most affordable Susan B. Anthony dollars are circulated examples from the more common dates like 1979-1981. These can be readily bought for a few dollars over face value. Even uncirculated pieces up to MS-66 are quite modestly priced under $50.
The series starts getting more expensive in superb gem uncirculated grades of MS-67 and above. A few outstanding MS-68 coins have sold at auction for $3,000-$5,000 each. The record-holder is a 1981-S MS-69 that commanded $16,100 in 2019!
However, some of the most valuable Susan B. Anthony dollars are actually mint errors and varieties. Off-center strikes, double-dies, and other unusual goofs can transform an ordinary coin into a five or six-figure rarity. A dramatic 1979-S proof struck 50% off-center sold for a whopping $34,500. Even a modest double-die can be worth $200 or more. So it pays to check your coins closely for any errors.
For most collectors on a budget, nice MS-65 and MS-66 Susan B. Anthony dollars offer the best combination of quality and value. These generally sell for only $20-$50 each and look nearly perfect to the naked eye. Assembling a complete date and mint set in MS-66 is a reasonable goal that won‘t break the bank.
Tips on Collecting Susan B. Anthony Dollars
Decide how you want to collect: You can either assemble a complete set of Susan B. Anthony dollars by date and mint mark, or cherrypick individual high-grade or interesting examples. A full set consists of 20 coins (11 circulation strikes and 9 proofs). The 1979-1981 proofs are only 40-50% as common as the business strikes from those years.
Consider your budget: Susan B. Anthony dollars are very affordable up to MS-66, with even superb gem examples obtainable for under $200 in most cases. Higher grade MS-67 and above examples, or rare varieties, can run into the thousands of dollars. Decide how much you can afford to spend.
Look for quality: For uncirculated examples, focus on coins with great eye appeal, full luster, minimal marks, and a sharp strike if possible. Well-preserved coins with original surfaces and no signs of cleaning are always best. Susan B. Anthony dollars do come attractively toned, which some collectors pursue.
Buy certified coins: For more expensive uncirculated examples, it‘s advisable to buy coins already graded by PCGS or NGC. This takes the guesswork out of determining the condition and adds confidence to your purchase.
Learn the series: Read as much as you can about Susan B. Anthony dollars to understand the history, rarity, and grading nuances that make certain examples more valuable. Consulting price guides can help you make informed purchases.
Check for errors: As you build your collection, be on the lookout for off-center strikes, double-dies, and other oddities that can be worth big bucks. A reference guide to Susan B. Anthony dollar errors may help.
Shop around: Compare prices from different coin dealers and auction sites to get the best deals. Major online marketplaces like eBay, Heritage Auctions, and Stack‘s Bowers Galleries are good places to look. Also consider attending local and regional coin shows to see Susan B. Anthony dollars in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Susan B. Anthony dollar still made today?
A: No, the coins were only minted from 1979-1981, then one final year in 1999. They have been replaced in general circulation by the golden Sacagawea and Presidential dollars.
Q: Why were the Susan B. Anthony dollars unsuccessful?
A: The public found them too similar in size and appearance to the quarter, leading to confusion. Vending machines also had trouble distinguishing them. The Eisenhower dollar also remained popular. Production stopped because the Susan B. Anthony dollars were not circulating well.
Q: Are Susan B. Anthony dollars rare?
A: Although the mintages were fairly high, the Susan B. Anthony dollar is relatively scarce in high uncirculated grades since few were released into circulation. Some issues like the 1981-P are also considerably harder to find than others.
Q: What is the most valuable Susan B. Anthony dollar?
A: The highest prices realized have been for rare mint errors. A 1979-S proof Susan B. Anthony dollar struck 50% off center sold for $34,500 in 1999. In terms of regular issues, a 1981-S graded MS-69 sold for $16,100 in 2019, the record for the series.
The Legacy of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
While the Susan B. Anthony dollar never gained widespread usage in commerce, it marked an important milestone as the first U.S. coin to feature a historical woman. This trailblazing design helped pave the way for later series celebrating women like the Sacagawea dollar and the ongoing American Women quarters program.
Today, collecting Susan B. Anthony dollars is a popular specialty within numismatics. Many hobbyists appreciate the coin‘s unique history, prominent female subject, and challenging registry sets. With ample collector interest and a finite supply, the future looks bright for the Susan B. Anthony dollar‘s ongoing numismatic value and appeal.
Whether you‘re drawn to the coin‘s inspiring backstory, its distinctive design, or the thrill of the hunt for that next high-grade or rare example, the Susan B. Anthony dollar offers something for almost every collector. As we‘ve explored in this guide, a little knowledge can go a long way in choosing quality pieces for your collection that have the potential to appreciate over time.
Although she sadly didn‘t live to see her portrait on a circulating coin, one can imagine Susan B. Anthony would be proud to know her legacy lives on today with this groundbreaking series. Her tireless pursuit of a woman‘s right to vote and equal treatment under the law continues to inspire new generations. And with the Susan B. Anthony dollar, collectors and historians alike have a tangible, enduring tribute to one of the giants of the American suffrage movement.
