Susan B. Anthony Dollars In the pantheon of American coinage, few pieces have sparked as much discussion, disappointment, and eventual collector interest as the Susan B. Anthony dollar. Minted from 1979 to 1981, and then again briefly in 1999, these coins represent a fascinating chapter in U.S. numismatic history. Their story weaves together elements of social progress, design controversy, public rejection, and eventual redemption in the collector’s market.
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The Birth of a New Dollar
Political and Economic Context
The late 1970s was a time of significant economic challenges in America. Inflation was rampant, and the cost of producing paper currency was increasing. The Treasury Department calculated that replacing short-lived dollar bills with more durable coins could save taxpayers millions. Previous attempts at circulating dollar coins had failed—the Eisenhower dollar (1971-1978) was considered too large and unwieldy for everyday use, often ending up in casino slot machines rather than cash registers across the country.
When Jimmy Carter took office in 1977, his administration supported legislation to create a new, smaller dollar coin. The timing aligned perfectly with the growing women’s rights movement, which was pushing for greater recognition of women’s contributions to American history.
Honoring Susan B. Anthony
The decision to feature Susan B. Anthony on the new dollar marked a watershed moment—she would become the first real woman (as opposed to symbolic figures like Liberty) to appear on circulating U.S. coinage. This choice wasn’t arbitrary; Anthony was a pioneering suffragist who dedicated her life to women’s rights and particularly their right to vote. Though she died in 1906, fourteen years before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, her tireless advocacy had laid crucial groundwork for this constitutional achievement.
Treasury Secretary W. Michael Blumenthal announced the selection on October 10, 1978, stating: “This is a tribute long overdue. Susan B. Anthony’s unrelenting dedication to equality for women has earned her a place in our nation’s most permanent form of public recognition.”
Design Elements and Controversy
The Obverse
Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro designed both sides of the coin. The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Susan B. Anthony, based on a photograph taken when she was in her fifties. Around her portrait runs the inscription “LIBERTY,” with the date below and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the right. Gasparro spent considerable time researching Anthony’s appearance, studying photographs and even a bust of her at the Smithsonian Institution.
What many casual observers don’t realize is that Gasparro initially created a more dramatic design with a larger portrait of Anthony. Treasury officials, however, requested modifications that resulted in the smaller, more contained image that eventually appeared on the coin.
The Reverse
The reverse design reused the Apollo 11 mission insignia that had appeared on the Eisenhower dollar—an eagle landing on the lunar surface with an olive branch in its talons, symbolizing America’s peaceful intentions in space exploration. Earth appears in the background. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR” surround the design, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appearing above the eagle.
The Controversial Edge
Perhaps the most problematic design element was the coin’s edge. Unlike the smooth edge of a penny or the reeded edge of a quarter, the Susan B. Anthony dollar featured an unusual eleven-sided inside border (hendecagonal) within its circular outline. This distinctive feature was intended to help people identify the coin by touch, addressing concerns that the new dollar might be confused with the quarter.
Unfortunately, this subtle design element proved insufficient. Both coins were made of copper-nickel, had reeded edges, and were close in size—the dollar measuring 26.5mm compared to the quarter’s 24.3mm. In poorly lit conditions or when handled quickly, the distinction was often lost on consumers.
The Public’s Cold Reception
Confusion and Complaints
When the Susan B. Anthony dollars entered circulation on July 2, 1979, public reaction was swift and largely negative. Newspaper headlines quickly dubbed it the “Carter quarter” or the “Jimmy dollar,” highlighting the size confusion issue. Cash register drawers weren’t designed to accommodate the new coin, and vending machine operators faced expensive modification costs to accept them.
Former Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona later reflected: “The Susan B. Anthony dollar was doomed from the start because the public couldn’t distinguish it from the quarter. It’s a classic case of good intentions undermined by poor execution.”
Production Numbers and Distribution
Despite the lukewarm reception, the U.S. Mint produced an enormous quantity in the initial year—over 757 million coins in 1979 alone. This optimistic production schedule quickly proved misguided. As public acceptance faltered, mintage numbers plummeted to about 89 million in 1980 and a mere 9.7 million in 1981.
By 1982, the Treasury Department had suspended production indefinitely, with hundreds of millions of unwanted dollars sitting in Federal Reserve vaults. The experiment had seemingly failed.
The Surprising Comeback
The 1999 Limited Return
In a twist that surprised many numismatists, the Susan B. Anthony dollar made an unexpected comeback in 1999. This revival wasn’t due to newfound public appreciation but rather practical necessity. Government stockpiles of the coin had dwindled, primarily due to increased use in postal vending machines and transit systems. With the Sacagawea dollar still in development for a 2000 release, the Mint struck 41 million more Anthony dollars as a stopgap measure.
These 1999-dated coins represent the final chapter in the Susan B. Anthony dollar story, making them particularly interesting to collectors as the bookend to this troubled series.
Collector Value and Key Dates
Varieties Worth Hunting
While most Susan B. Anthony dollars aren’t particularly valuable in circulated condition, certain varieties have captured collector interest:
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1979-P Wide Rim/Near Date: This variety shows the date positioned closer to the rim, with a notably wider rim than the more common variant. In uncirculated condition, these can sell for $15-30.
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1981-S Type 2 Proof: The rarest variety features a clearer, more defined S mintmark. With only about 700,000 struck, these can command $50-100 in perfect condition.
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1999-P: As the final year of issue, these have some premium over face value, especially in pristine condition.
Grading and Condition
As with all collectible coins, condition dramatically affects value. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) use a 70-point Sheldon scale. For Susan B. Anthony dollars, look for:
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Sharp bust details: Anthony’s hair and facial features should be well-defined
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Minimal bag marks: As these coins were often stored in mint bags, contact marks are common
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Luster preservation: Original mint luster significantly impacts value
Recent Auction Results
At a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2023, a perfect PCGS MS-68 1979-P Wide Rim variety sold for an impressive $4,800—nearly 5,000 times its face value. While such examples are exceptionally rare, they demonstrate the potential value for supreme-quality specimens of what most consider a failed coin.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Numismatic Legacy
Despite its commercial failure, the Susan B. Anthony dollar holds a meaningful place in numismatic history. It represents the first attempt at a modern, small-sized dollar coin and the first time a real American woman was honored on circulating U.S. coinage. These distinctions ensure its place in any comprehensive collection of American coins.
Renowned numismatist Q. David Bowers noted in his reference work that “the Susan B. Anthony dollar represents a fascinating intersection of social progress and design misstep—a coin ahead of its time in representation but behind in practical execution.”
Women on American Currency
The Susan B. Anthony dollar opened an important door for female representation on American money. Though it would take decades more progress, this initial step helped pave the way for subsequent designs featuring women, including the Sacagawea dollar (2000-present), the American Women Quarters Program (2022-2025), and the planned redesign of the ten-dollar bill.
Lessons Learned
The troubled history of the Susan B. Anthony dollar taught the Mint valuable lessons that influenced subsequent coin designs. When the Sacagawea dollar debuted in 2000, it featured a distinctive golden color to differentiate it from other coins. Later, the Presidential and Native American dollar coins continued this golden appearance while adding edge lettering as another distinguishing feature.
Perhaps the most important lesson was recognizing that successful currency changes require both technical excellence and thorough public education. The Susan B. Anthony dollar had neither—its too-similar appearance to the quarter wasn’t adequately addressed, and the public rollout lacked sufficient educational components.
Susan B. Anthony Dollars
The Susan B. Anthony dollar represents a fascinating paradox in American numismatics—a commercial failure that has transformed into a collector’s treasure. Its brief circulation period, distinctive varieties, and historical significance make it much more than just “the dollar that didn’t work.” For modern collectors, this overlooked series offers an accessible entry point to numismatics with genuine historical importance and the occasional valuable find.
Whether viewed as a failed experiment or an important milestone for women’s recognition on American currency, the Susan B. Anthony dollar remains an intriguing chapter in the story of American money—one that continues to resonate with collectors and historians more than four decades after its introduction.
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