The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from $1 in worn condition to over $2,500 in top-tier mint state grades. While most of these coins found in your change are only worth face value, certain high-quality specimens are highly sought after by collectors and numismatists today.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Circulated (Avg. Wear)	$1.00
About Uncirculated (AU)	$1.05 – $1.50
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$3.00 – $8.00
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65+)	$25.00 – $100.00+

History of the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar holds a unique place in American numismatic history as it was the first time a non-mythical woman appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. Launched in 1979, the coin was intended to replace the paper dollar bill, but it famously struggled with public acceptance. Most Americans found the coin too similar in size and color to the Washington Quarter, leading to frequent confusion at the checkout counter.

If you have stumbled upon one of these coins in a drawer or an old jar, you might be wondering if you’ve struck gold. To get a definitive answer, many people use a top coin identifier app to quickly discern the mint mark and condition. In 1979, the Denver Mint (represented by the “D” mint mark) produced over 288 million of these coins, which is a massive number. Because of this high production rate, most 1979-D dollars are not considered rare.

However, the “failure” of the coin in circulation actually helped collectors. Because so many were rejected by the public, millions sat in bank vaults for decades, remaining in pristine condition. Today, professional graders use tools like CoinKnow to track the market and find those rare specimens that managed to avoid scratches or “bag marks” during their time in storage.

Identifying the 1979-D Mint Mark and Features

To ensure you are looking at the right coin, check the obverse (front) of the dollar. You will see the portrait of Susan B. Anthony, a pioneer in the women’s suffrage movement. The “D” mint mark is located on the left side of the coin, just above Anthony’s shoulder. This “D” indicates the coin was struck at the Denver Mint in Colorado.

The reverse side of the coin features an adaptation of the Apollo 11 mission insignia, showing an eagle landing on the moon with the Earth visible in the background. This design was carried over from the Eisenhower Dollar, which was the much larger predecessor to the Susan B. Anthony series.

While the design is iconic, the value is heavily tied to the luster and surface quality. For those looking for precise data, checking the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar market prices can help you see how the Denver (“D”) versions compare to Philadelphia (“P”) or San Francisco (“S”) strikes.

Determining the 1979-D Dollar Value by Grade

When it comes to the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar value, the “grade” is everything. Grading is the process of evaluating a coin’s physical condition on a scale from 1 to 70. Most coins you find in your pocket are “Circulated,” meaning they have lost their original shine and have scratches from being used in commerce.

In circulated condition, the 1979-D is generally worth only its face value of $1. Banks still occasionally carry these, and they are not rare enough to command a premium unless they are in “Uncirculated” condition. Uncirculated coins, specifically those graded MS-65 or higher, start to become interesting to collectors.

At the highest end of the spectrum, an MS-67 or MS-68 graded 1979-D can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction. These coins must be virtually perfect, with no visible marks under magnification and a full, original mint luster. You can use CoinKnow to compare your coin against high-resolution photos of graded specimens to see where yours might fall.

Grade (Sheldon Scale)	Description	Estimated Price
VG-8 to VF-20	Significant wear, flat details	$1.00
EF-40 to AU-58	Light wear on hair and eagle feathers	$1.10 – $2.00
MS-63	No wear, some marks from mint bags	$5.00 – $12.00
MS-66	Excellent luster, very few marks	$40.00 – $85.00
MS-67+	Superb quality, museum grade	$500.00+

Rare 1979-D Mint Errors to Look For

While standard 1979-D dollars are common, “error coins” are the exception to the rule. Errors occur during the minting process and can turn a $1 coin into a $100 treasure. Collectors look for specific anomalies that happened at the Denver Mint in 1979.

One common error type is the “Clipped Planchet,” where the coin is missing a circular slice because the metal disc was cut improperly. Another is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the design is pushed to one side, leaving a blank crescent on the coin. These errors are rare for the Susan B. Anthony series and are highly prized.

If you suspect you have an error, it is vital to have it verified. You can find detailed 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar value information regarding errors on specialized forums. Always look for doubled dies or dramatic mechanical errors that make the coin stand out from a standard issue.

The Susan B. Anthony Dollar vs. Other Small Dollars

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was the first of the “Small Dollars,” followed later by the Sacagawea Dollar (Gold Dollar) and the Presidential Dollar series. When comparing the 1979-D to these later coins, the primary difference is the composition. The 1979-D is made of a copper-nickel “sandwich” (clad), giving it a silver appearance, whereas later dollars used a manganese-brass alloy to give them a distinct gold color.

Despite the color difference, none of these modern dollars contain actual silver or gold. This is a common misconception among many casual finders. The value of a 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar comes strictly from its numismatic appeal—how much a collector is willing to pay for its rarity or condition—rather than its metal content.

If you enjoy hunting for these coins, the CoinKnow mobile application is a great way to build a digital catalog of your collection. It helps you keep track of which mint marks you have and which ones you still need to complete the set.

Should You Clean Your 1979-D Dollar?

One of the biggest mistakes a beginner collector can make is cleaning their coins. If you find a 1979-D dollar that looks a bit dirty or tarnished, your first instinct might be to scrub it with soap or metal polish. Do not do this.

Cleaning a coin removes the original surface (patina) and creates microscopic scratches that professional graders can detect instantly. A cleaned coin can lose up to 90% of its collector value. A 1979-D that might have been worth $50 in a high grade could drop to just $1 face value if it shows signs of being harshly cleaned.

Instead, handle the coin by its edges and store it in a PVC-free plastic flip or a cardboard 2×2 holder. This preserves the “original skin” of the metal, which is what serious collectors are looking for when they pay premium prices.

Key Date / Variety	Mint Mark	Rarity Level
1979-P Wide Rim	P	Scarce
1979-D Regular	D	Common
1979-S Proof Type 2	S	Rare

Conclusion: Is Your 1979-D Dollar Worth Keeping?

Whether or not the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar is worth keeping depends on your goals. If you are looking for a quick payout, most circulated 1979-D dollars aren’t going to make you rich. However, they are a fantastic piece of history and a great “starter coin” for young collectors.

If you happen to find one that is exceptionally shiny, free of scratches, and looks like it just came off the press, it is absolutely worth setting aside. As the years go by, high-grade examples of “unpopular” coins often become the most valuable because so few people thought to save them in perfect condition.

Always use tools like CoinKnow to stay updated on auction results and market trends. The world of coin collecting is always changing, and what is worth a dollar today might just be the next big rarity tomorrow.

FAQ

Q: Is the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar made of silver?

A: No, it is not. The 1979-D dollar is made of a copper-nickel clad composition. It contains zero silver. Only modern commemorative dollars or silver eagles contain actual silver bullion.

Q: How can I tell if my 1979-D dollar is a Wide Rim variety?

A: The “Wide Rim” (or Near Date) variety is actually only found on the 1979-P (Philadelphia) coins. The 1979-D dollars only have one standard rim size, so you don’t need to worry about the Narrow vs. Wide Rim distinction for Denver strikes.

Q: Why is my 1979 dollar gold-colored?

A: If your 1979 dollar looks gold, it has likely been “plated” by a private company after it left the mint. This is considered damage by collectors and usually makes the coin worth only its face value of $1. Real U.S. gold-colored dollars weren’t minted until 2000.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar?

A: While prices fluctuate, a 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar graded MS-68 by a professional service like PCGS has sold for over $3,800 at auction. These specimens are incredibly rare and look absolutely flawless.