.The Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced in 1979 as the first U.S. dollar coin to honor a prominent woman (Susan B. Anthony, a women's rights activist).
Features:
Obverse (front): Susan B. Anthony’s profile
Reverse (back): An eagle landing on the Moon (commemorating Apollo 11)
Metal: Copper-nickel clad (similar to quarters/dimes; NO 1979 silver dollar value)
Size: Smaller than previous dollar coins (26.5 mm diameter)
Most 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth $1 to $5 in circulated condition. Some proof coins or mint errors (like the "1979-P Wide Rim" variety) can be worth $50 to $100+.
Who Is She?
Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) was an American abolitionist, suffragist, and women's rights activist who played an important role in the fight for gender equality and voting rights in the United States.
Facts About Her Life & Legacy:
Early Activism
Born in 1820 in Massachusetts to a Quaker family that valued social justice.
Initially worked as a teacher before becoming involved in temperance (anti-alcohol) and abolitionist movements.
Women’s Suffrage Leadership
Partnered with Elizabeth Cady Stanton to co-found the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA, 1869).
Campaigned tirelessly for women’s right to vote, delivering speeches nationwide despite public ridicule.
Famously arrested in 1872 for illegally voting in Rochester, New York (she refused to pay the $100 fine).
Legacy & Honors
Though she died in 1906, her work paved the way for the 19th Amendment (1920), granting women the right to vote.
In 1979, she became the first woman depicted on a U.S. circulating coin (the Susan B. Anthony dollar).
The Susan B. Anthony List (a pro-life women’s group) and numerous schools/locations are named after her.
Famous Quote: "Failure is impossible." (Her final public words, 1906)
Why She?
Susan B. Anthony was chosen for the U.S. dollar coin in 1979 for several reasons that reflect her impact on American history and the push for gender equality. Here’s why she was selected:
1. Symbol of Women’s Rights & Suffrage
Anthony was the most iconic leader of the U.S. women’s suffrage movement, dedicating 50+ years to fighting for women’s right to vote.
Her activism laid the groundwork for the 19th Amendment (1920), which granted women suffrage—though she didn’t live to see it.
Honoring her on currency was a way to recognize women’s contributions to democracy, especially as the U.S. approached the 1980s with growing feminist movements.
2. First Woman on a Circulating U.S. Coin
Before 1979, no American woman (except allegorical figures like Liberty) had been featured on circulating currency.
The U.S. Mint wanted a historic female figure to represent progress toward equality. Anthony was the obvious choice due to her fame and moral authority.
3. Political & Cultural Timing
The late 1970s saw a resurgence of feminism (e.g., the National Women’s Conference, 1977) and calls for greater female representation.
Congress approved her coin as a symbolic gesture during this era of social change.
4. Practical Reasons for the Coin’s Design
The Treasury needed a replacement for the Eisenhower dollar, which was large and unpopular.
Anthony’s profile was chosen partly because her distinctive 19th-century appearance (hair bun, stern expression) made the coin easily recognizable.
Controversy & Legacy
While celebrated, the coin initially flopped in circulation (people confused it with quarters).
Later, Anthony’s legacy grew even stronger—her image was reused in 2020 on the $10 bill (part of a planned redesign celebrating suffragists).
The reverse (back) of the coin shows an eagle landing on the Moon. It’s a symbol of Apollo 11—a nod to both space exploration and Anthony’s motto: "Failure is impossible."
Mint Marks & Varieties
The 1979 SBA dollar was struck at three U.S. Mint facilities, each with distinct mint marks:
Mint Mark | Location | Notes |
None (Philadelphia) | Philadelphia, PA | No mint mark (common) |
D (Denver) | Denver, CO | Slightly scarcer than Philly |
S (San Francisco) | San Francisco, CA | Proof coins only (not for circulation) |
Varieties:
1979-P "Wide Rim" (Near Date) – A rare variety where the date is closer to the rim. Only a small number were struck before the design was modified.
1979-P "Narrow Rim" (Far Date) – The common version, with the date farther from the rim.
1979-S Proof – Mirror-like finish, sold in sets to collectors.
Value by Mint Mark & Condition (2024 Estimates)
Circulated Coins (Worn Condition)
Mint Mark | Value (Circulated) |
1979-P (Narrow Rim) | $1 – $2 (Face value) |
1979-P (Wide Rim) | $50 – $150+ |
1979-D | $1 – $3 |
1979-S (Proof) | $3 – $10 (if not in original set) |
Uncirculated & Proof Coins
Condition | 1979-P (Narrow Rim) | 1979-P (Wide Rim) | 1979-D | 1979-S (Proof) |
MS-60 to MS-63 | $2 – $5 | $75 – $200 | $3 – $8 | N/A |
MS-64 to MS-65 | $5 – $15 | $200 – $500 | $10 – $25 | N/A |
Proof-65 (1979-S) | N/A | N/A | N/A | $10 – $25 |
Proof-70 (Ultra Grade) | N/A | N/A | N/A | $100+ |
Rare & High-Grade Values
A 1979-P Wide Rim in MS-67 sold for $2,300+ (Heritage Auctions).
A 1979-S Proof-70 (Perfect Grade) can fetch $200+.
How to Identify a 1979-P Wide Rim (Key to Value)
Look at the date spacing:
Wide Rim (Rare): Date is very close to the rim.
Narrow Rim (Common): Date is farther away.
Check the rim thickness: The Wide Rim has a thicker border.
Why Are Some 1979 Coins Worth More?
Low mintage (Wide Rim variety) – Only a few were made before the Mint adjusted the design.
High-grade survivors – Most SBAs circulated heavily; pristine ones are rare.
Proof coins – The 1979-S was only issued in proof sets, making uncirculated examples desirable.
Where to Sell or Appraise?
For rare varieties (Wide Rim): Heritage Auctions, PCGS, NGC.
Common coins: Local coin shops, eBay (check sold listings).
Conclusion
These coins came from three different mints, each with their distinctive mark. Philadelphia struck coins without a mint mark, Denver added a small "D," and San Francisco produced only proof versions with an "S" for collectors. Most 1979 dollars are quite common and worth little more than face value. But some rare varieties like the Philadelphia "Wide Rim" can be quite valuable, especially in top condition.
The coin's design featured Anthony's profile with her signature hairstyle on the front, while the back showed an eagle landing on the moon - a nod to both space exploration and Anthony's famous words about impossibility. Though the public initially confused these new small dollars with quarters, leading to poor circulation, today they are important reminders of the long struggle for gender equality.