Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value (1979–1999)
Quick answer: Most SBA dollars are worth $1–$2. Exceptions: 1979-P Wide Rim ($10–$40), all 1981 dates (collector-set only, $3–$10), and the 1979-S/1981-S Type 2 proofs ($20–$80).
The Susan B. Anthony dollar — the first U.S. circulating coin to honor a real woman — flopped commercially because it was constantly mistaken for a quarter. That failure means billions sat in Treasury vaults, and most examples today are worth barely above face value.
But the series hides real varieties: the 1979-P "Wide Rim" (or "Near Date"), where the date nearly touches the rim, and the Type 2 proofs of 1979-S and 1981-S with clearer S mint marks. And every 1981 coin came only from collector mint sets.
Key dates worth serious money
1979-P Wide Rim / Near Date
$10 – $75
1981-S Type 2 proof
$150 – $250
1979-S Type 2 proof (clear S)
$40 – $80
1999-P proof
$15 – $25
The story behind the coin
Launched in 1979 to replace the bulky Ike dollar, the SBA’s similar size and color to the quarter doomed it — the public refused it, and production stopped after 1981. A surprise 1999 encore was struck when dollar-coin demand from transit systems and vending machines briefly outran supply before the Sacagawea dollar arrived.
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify the 1979 Wide Rim?
Look at the gap between the date and the rim: on the Wide Rim variety the rim is fat and nearly touches the date. Normal ("Far Date") coins show a clear gap.
Why are 1981 SBA dollars worth more?
None were released to circulation — they exist only from mint sets, so every genuine 1981 carries a collector premium.
What is a Type 2 proof?
Mid-year in 1979 and 1981, San Francisco replaced the blobby S mint mark punch with a clearer one. The clearer "Type 2" S is much scarcer both years.
Are SBA dollars silver?
No — all are copper-nickel clad. Their value is numismatic, not metallic.
Related value guides
Sacagawea Dollar Value (2000–Present)
Eisenhower Dollar Value (1971–1978)
State Quarters Worth Money (1999–2008)
Values shown are typical retail ranges for the grades described, based on recent dealer and auction pricing. Markets move; exact value depends on grade, variety and eye appeal. This guide is informational and not a formal appraisal.