Most Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth exactly $1. The copper-nickel dollar was struck from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, and the common dates circulated by the hundreds of millions, so a worn example is still face value. The exceptions are a handful of varieties and set-only issues: the 1979-P Wide Rim (“Near Date”) variety, the 1981-S Type 2 “Clear S” proof — the key to the series — and well-preserved uncirculated examples of the low-mintage 1981 and 1999 dates, which carry modest premiums. This guide breaks down which Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth more than a dollar, and why.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Quick Facts
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was the first U.S. circulating coin to portray a real woman rather than an allegorical Liberty. Designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, it pairs Anthony’s profile on the obverse with an American eagle landing on the Moon on the reverse — a design adapted from the Apollo 11 mission insignia and carried over from the Eisenhower dollar. The coin contains no precious metal: it is copper-nickel clad, so its value is purely numismatic.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Years struck | 1979–1981, and 1999 |
| Composition | 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel (clad) |
| Weight | 8.1 grams |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
| Designer | Frank Gasparro |
| Mints | Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S) |
| Precious metal content | None — value is collector-driven |
Why the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Failed in Circulation
At 26.5 mm, the Anthony dollar was only slightly larger than a quarter (24.26 mm) and shared the quarter’s silvery color, so cashiers and vending customers constantly confused the two. The public never adopted it, and after 1981 the Treasury stopped releasing the denomination for circulation — the 1981 coins were sold only in Mint and Proof sets. The type returned for a single final year in 1999, when the government’s stockpile of dollar coins ran low ahead of its successor, the golden-colored Sacagawea dollar launched in 2000. If you collect the modern dollar series, our Sacagawea dollar value guide covers the coin that replaced it, and our Eisenhower dollar value guide covers the large-size dollar that came before it.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Values by Date and Variety
Approximate retail ranges below reflect typical dealer and online market pricing as of October 2026. Common circulated coins trade at face value; premiums concentrate in the varieties and set-only dates.
| Date / Mint | Approx. Mintage | Circulated | Uncirculated (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-P (Narrow Rim) | ≈360 million (all 1979-P) | $1 | $2–$4 |
| 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) | Variety — part of 1979-P run | $5–$15 | $25+ |
| 1979-D | ≈288 million | $1 | $2–$4 |
| 1979-S | ≈110 million | $1 | $2–$5 |
| 1980 P, D, S | ≈14–28 million each | $1 | $3–$6 |
| 1981 P, D, S (sets only) | ≈1.1–1.3 million each | — | $5–$15 |
| 1999-P | ≈29.6 million | $1–$2 | $4–$8 |
| 1999-D | ≈11.8 million | $1–$2 | $5–$10 |
The Two Varieties That Matter
1979-P Wide Rim (“Near Date”)
Early in 1979, the Philadelphia Mint widened the obverse rim, moving the date noticeably closer to the rim. These “Wide Rim” or “Near Date” coins are the key circulation-strike variety of the series. Check any 1979-P dollar: if the date sits close to a thick rim, you have the better coin — uncirculated examples often sell for $25 or more, and even circulated pieces bring a clear premium over face.
1981-S Type 2 (“Clear S”) Proof
Proof Anthony dollars were struck at San Francisco in 1979 and 1981 with two mintmark styles. The 1981-S Type 2 has a clear, well-defined “S” mintmark (versus the filled, blobby Type 1), and it is the recognized key proof of the series. Top-grade examples can sell for several hundred dollars, making the mintmark style the first thing to check on any 1981 proof set.
How to Check Your Susan B. Anthony Dollar
Start with the date and mintmark (found on the obverse, just above Anthony’s shoulder). A 1979-P needs the rim check described above. A 1981 date means the coin came from a Mint or Proof set and already carries a premium in uncirculated condition. For proofs, examine the mintmark under magnification to separate Type 1 from Type 2. Beyond the keys, condition is everything: because so many Anthony dollars were saved in rolls, only clean, fully lustrous examples of any date bring the top of the ranges above. As with other modern issues like those in our Kennedy half dollar value guide, the gap between a bank-roll coin and a certified gem is where the money sits.
Shop Classic U.S. Dollar Coins
Anthony dollars contain no silver, but the classic U.S. dollar coins that preceded them do — and they remain the backbone of most U.S. coin collections. Browse genuine, in-stock examples:
- 1878–1904 Morgan Silver Dollar – BU
- Peace Dollar – NGC MS65
- 2025-S Peace Silver Dollar with Box & COA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Susan B. Anthony dollar worth today?
Most are worth their $1 face value. Premiums apply to the 1979-P Wide Rim variety ($25 or more uncirculated), the 1981-S Type 2 Clear S proof (up to several hundred dollars in top grades), and uncirculated examples of the set-only 1981 dates and the lower-mintage 1999 issues, which typically bring roughly $4–$15.
Is there any silver in a Susan B. Anthony dollar?
No. The coin is copper-nickel clad — 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel overall — with no silver or gold content. Its value above face is entirely numismatic.
Which Susan B. Anthony dollar is the rarest?
Among circulation strikes, the 1979-P Wide Rim variety is the key. Among proofs, the 1981-S Type 2 (Clear S) is the scarcest and most valuable variety. By mintage, the 1981 issues — sold only in government sets at roughly 1.1–1.3 million each — are the lowest of the series.
Why does my Susan B. Anthony dollar look like a quarter?
The coin was deliberately sized between the quarter and half dollar at 26.5 mm and struck in the same silvery copper-nickel alloy as the quarter. That similarity is the main reason the public rejected it, and it is why the Mint switched to a golden color for the Sacagawea dollar in 2000.
Are 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollars worth anything?
Circulated 1999 dollars are worth face value to about $2. Uncirculated examples typically bring roughly $4–$10, with the Denver issue (1999-D, ≈11.8 million struck) slightly stronger than the Philadelphia issue.
Educational content only — not financial advice.