1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value: What Is It Worth?
The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.05 in circulated condition to over $1,200 in high-grade mint state. While most of these coins found in your change are only worth face value, certain specimens can be quite precious to collectors and investors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Very Fine to About Uncirculated) | $1.00 – $1.50 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-63) | $3.00 – $6.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS-67+) | $300 – $1,200+ |
History and Background of the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar represents a historic shift in American coinage. Introduced in 1979 to replace the bulky Eisenhower Dollar, it was the first time a non-mythical woman appeared on a circulating U.S. coin.
The Denver Mint produced over 288 million of these coins in its first year alone. Because of this massive production, finding one in your piggy bank isn’t necessarily a “once in a lifetime” event.
If you are unsure whether your coin is a Denver strike or from another mint, you can use a free coin identifier app to quickly scan the image and verify the “D” mint mark located on the obverse side.
Despite the noble intentions of the U.S. Mint, the coin was largely rejected by the public. Many people confused it with the Washington Quarter because of its similar size and reeded edge.
Consequently, millions of these coins were stored in government vaults for decades. This is why many Susan B. Anthony dollars remain in excellent condition today, though finding a truly “perfect” one is still a challenge for collectors using CoinKnow.
Grading the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value
When determining the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar value, the “grade” is everything. Grading is the process of evaluating the amount of wear and tear on a coin’s surface.
For this specific year and mint, circulated coins rarely sell for more than their $1 face value. To find real profit, you must look for “Mint State” (MS) coins that have never been used in daily commerce.
The scale goes from 1 to 70. A coin with a grade of MS-60 might have many scuffs from being in a mint bag, while an MS-67 is near-flawless.
| Grade Designation | Physical Description |
|---|---|
| Circulated | Flattened hair details, worn edges, and no original luster. |
| MS-63 (Uncirculated) | Original mint shine but may have several “bag marks” or scratches. |
| MS-65 (Gem State) | Strong luster, very few marks, and excellent eye appeal. |
| MS-67 (Superb Gem) | Virtually perfect under 5x magnification; extremely rare for this year. |
For those tracking market trends, the latest 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar MS prices indicate that demand remains steady for high-quality Denver mintages.
Key Features and Identifying the “D” Mint Mark
Identifying a 1979-D dollar is simple once you know where to look. The “D” mint mark signifies that the coin was struck at the Denver Mint in Colorado.
You can find the mint mark on the obverse (heads) side of the coin. Look just above the shoulder of Susan B. Anthony, right near the date “1979.”
If you see a small “D,” you have the Denver variety. If you see a “P,” it’s from Philadelphia, and an “S” means it came from the San Francisco Mint.
The reverse of the coin features an eagle landing on the moon, a design adapted from the Apollo 11 mission patch. This symbolic design was carried over from the Eisenhower dollar.
If you are using an app like CoinKnow to organize your collection, make sure to categorize your 1979-D separately, as its population and survival rates differ from those of Philadelphia.
Identifying these small details is crucial because even a tiny mint error or a particularly sharp strike can significantly change the 1979 SBA dollar worth and market data.
Rare Errors to Look For in 1979-D Dollars
While the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar is common, error enthusiasts are always on the hunt for “oops” moments from the mint that can drive prices into the hundreds.
One common error is the “Clipped Planchet,” where the metal disc the coin was stamped on was cut improperly. These look like a bite has been taken out of the coin.
Another interesting error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the design is pushed to one side, leaving a blank crescent on the edge.
| Error Type | Description | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Center Strike | Design is not centered on the coin. | $50 – $200 |
| Broadstruck | Coin is flatter and wider than normal. | $20 – $50 |
| Die Crack | Raised lines of metal across the face. | $5 – $15 |
If you think you’ve found an error, compare it with known samples on CoinKnow. Standard wear and tear are often confused for errors by beginners, so be sure to check for the “raised metal” look that indicates a true mint error.
Is the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar a Good Investment?
From an investment standpoint, the 1979-D is a “high-volume, low-margin” coin. Because over 200 million were made, it is not considered a rare coin by traditional standards.
However, for a beginning collector, it is a fantastic “entry-level” coin. You can often buy a beautiful, uncirculated specimen for less than $10.
If you are looking for long-term price appreciation, you must focus exclusively on coins graded MS-67 or higher. These are the “unicorns” of the 1979-D series.
For most people, the 1979-D is a piece of American history that failed as currency but succeeded as a collectible. Holding onto a few high-quality examples is a great way to start a dollar coin collection.
The market for these coins is generally stable. While they don’t experience the wild price swings of gold coins, they have a dedicated fan base among modern coin collectors.
Where to Sell Your 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar
If you discover that your coin is one of the rare high-grade versions, you have several options for selling it. Professional coin dealers are the fastest option, though they usually pay wholesale prices.
Online auction sites like eBay are great for reaching individual collectors. Make sure to take high-resolution photos and describe the mint mark clearly.
For coins valued over $100, it is often worth getting them “slabbed” (certified) by a grading service like PCGS or NGC. A certified grade removes any doubt about the coin’s condition and can drastically increase the final sale price.
Always research current sold listings rather than “active” listings to see what people are actually paying. Many sellers list common coins for thousands of dollars, but they rarely sell for those amounts.
Stay informed by checking price guides regularly. This ensures that you aren’t leaving money on the table when it’s time to cash in your discovery.
FAQ
Q: Why is the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar worth $1?
A: Most 1979-D dollars were produced in such massive quantities (hundreds of millions) that they remain common today. Unless the coin is in perfect uncirculated condition or has a rare mint error, it usually retains only its face value of one dollar.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar?
A: The “D” mint mark is located on the obverse (heads) side of the coin, just above the left shoulder of Susan B. Anthony and slightly above the date.
Q: Are there any 1979-D “Wide Rim” varieties?
A: No. The famous “Wide Rim” (or Near Date) variety is exclusive to the 1979-P (Philadelphia) Mint. All 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollars feature the standard “Narrow Rim” design.
Q: Is Susan B. Anthony silver?
A: No, these coins do not contain any silver. They are made of a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper and 25% nickel), which is the same material used in modern quarters and dimes.
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1979-D SBA Dollar?
A: Rare specimens in MS-68 condition have sold for over $3,000 at major auctions, though these are incredibly rare and usually require professional certification to achieve such prices.
