The 1979-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from its face value of $1 in circulated condition to over $15,000 for rare high-grade site varieties. While most of these coins are common, specific minting errors and the famous “Wide Rim” variety can make your pocket change surprisingly valuable to serious collectors.

Condition/Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$1.00 – $1.25
Uncirculated (MS63)	$5.00 – $10.00
1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date)	$25.00 – $500.00+
High Grade (MS67+)	$1,000.00 – $15,000.00+

History and Significance of the 1979-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar

If you just found a small, silver-colored coin with a woman’s portrait, you likely have a Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar. Launched in 1979, this coin was historic as it was the first time a non-mythical woman appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. Using a top coin identifier app can help you verify the “P” mint mark, which signifies the Philadelphia Mint.

The SBA dollar was intended to replace the bulky Eisenhower dollar and the $1 paper bill. However, it was a commercial failure. Many Americans confused the coin with the Washington Quarter because of its similar size and reeded edge. By the time the treasury realized the design flaw, hundreds of millions had been struck. If you want to know the exact worth of your specific specimen, checking a 1979-P SBA dollar price guide is the best way to distinguish between a common coin and a rare treasure.

Because of their unpopularity, many 1979 dollars sat in bank vaults for decades. This means that while circulated versions are everywhere, finding a “Gem Mint” version is quite difficult. If your coin looks “brand new” even after 40 years, it might be worth sending to a grading service. To get an instant estimate on the go, the CoinKnow app is an excellent tool for everyday hunters to scan their change and identify potential winners.

Identifying the Rare 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) Variety

The most important thing for any casual collector to check is the “Wide Rim” variety, also known as the “Near Date.” During the initial production at the Philadelphia Mint in 1979, the design was tweaked to make the rim thicker. In the “Wide Rim” version, the date (1979) sits extremely close to the edge of the coin—almost touching the raised rim.

In contrast, the “Narrow Rim” (Far Date) version has plenty of space between the numbers and the border. The Wide Rim is significantly rarer and more sought after by collectors. Even in lower grades, a Wide Rim 1979-P is worth much more than its face value. If you suspect you have one, you can cross-reference the 1979 dollar coin value information to see how much recent auctions have paid for this specific variety.

Most people overlook this small detail, but it can turn a $1 coin into a $50 or even $100 find. Using the high-resolution camera on your phone with CoinKnow can help you zoom in on the spacing between the date and the rim to confirm if you’ve hit the jackpot.

Variety Type	Visual Key	Value (Uncirculated)
1979-P Narrow Rim	Date is far from the border	$2 – $5
1979-P Wide Rim	Date is nearly touching the rim	$40 – $150

Grading and Condition: How Condition Impacts 1979-P Dollar Value

In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. A coin that has been rattled around in a vending machine is worth far less than one that has been kept in a protective sleeve. Professional graders use a 70-point scale, where MS70 is a “perfect” coin. For the 1979-P Susan B. Anthony dollar, the value jumps exponentially as you move from MS65 to MS67.

An MS67 1979-P Narrow Rim dollar might sell for $500, while an MS68 can soar into the thousands. This is because the copper-nickel composition of these coins is prone to “bag marks”—little nicks and scratches caused by coins hitting each other during the minting process. Finding a 1979-P that survived without a single scratch is like finding a needle in a haystack.

If you are unsure of the grade, start by looking for “luster.” Luster is that spinning, cartwheel-like reflection of light on the surface of a new coin. If your 1979-P dollar is dull, grey, or scratched, it is likely only worth face value. However, if it shines like a mirror, it might be a candidate for professional grading.

Valuable Mint Errors to Look Out For

Beyond official varieties like the Wide Rim, the 1979-P Susan B. Anthony series is famous for various mint errors. Errors occur when something goes wrong in the striking process, creating a unique and rare coin. One common error found on these dollars is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the image is not centered on the planchet. A coin that is 10% to 25% off-center can be worth hundreds of dollars.

Another fascinating error is the “Double Denomination.” Occasionally, a Susan B. Anthony dollar was struck onto a planchet that had already been struck as a quarter. These are incredibly rare and are considered the “holy grail” for SBA collectors. If you see ghost-like images of Washington’s head under Susan B. Anthony, you are holding a very valuable piece of history.

Always keep an eye out for “laminations” or “die cracks”—raised lines on the coin’s surface that look like lightning bolts. While minor cracks don’t add much value, large, dramatic errors are highly collectible. The CoinKnow app can help you identify these anomalies by comparing your coin’s image to known error databases.

Error Type	Description	Approximate Price
Off-Center Strike	Design shifted, leaving blank metal	$50 – $300
Broadstruck	Coin is wider/flatter than normal	$20 – $60
Clipped Planchet	A crescent-shaped piece is missing	$25 – $100

Why the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Failed and Its Legacy

The Susan B. Anthony dollar’s failure in the 1970s is a major reason why high-quality examples are available today. Because the public didn’t like them, millions were never spent. They sat in treasury bags, protected from the wear and tear of circulation. However, this also means the market is flooded with “generic” 1979 dollars, which keeps the price of circulated coins at exactly $1.00.

Collectors today appreciate the coin for its unique hendecagonal (11-sided) inner border, which was designed to help the visually impaired distinguish it from quarters. Unfortunately, since the outer edge remained round, it didn’t solve the problem. Despite its lack of popularity at the time, the SBA dollar paved the way for the gold-colored Sacagawea and Presidential Dollars we use today.

If you have a collection of these coins handed down from a relative, don’t rush to the bank to spend them just yet. Take the time to sort through them for the Wide Rim variety or high-grade specimens. While most are common, the few that are rare are truly worth the effort of a closer look.

Tips for Selling Your 1979-P Dollars

When you’re ready to sell, avoid coin stars or commercial banks if you suspect you have a valuable variety. Dealers will generally only pay face value for common 1979-P dollars because they have thousands of them in stock. However, if you have a verified Wide Rim or an error coin, your best bet is a reputable auction house or a specialized coin shop.

Online marketplaces like eBay are also popular for selling SBA dollars, but you must take high-quality, clear photos of the date and the rim. Buyers want to see the “Near Date” distance specifically. Before listing, use a grading guide or an app to ensure you are pricing your treasure accurately based on current market trends.

FAQ

Q: Is a 1979 dollar coin made of silver?

A: No, the 1979-P Susan B. Anthony dollar is not made of silver. It is composed of a copper-nickel clad material (the same as modern quarters). Even though it has a silver color, it contains no precious metals.

Q: How can I tell if I have a 1979-P “Wide Rim” dollar?

A: Look at the date “1979” at the bottom of the coin. If the numbers are very close to the edge of the coin, it is the Wide Rim variety. If there is a clear, wide gap between the numbers and the border, it is the common Narrow Rim version.

Q: Are uncirculated 1979-P dollars worth a lot of money?

A: Generally, no. Hundreds of millions were minted and many were kept in mint state. Most uncirculated 1979-P dollars are only worth $2 to $10. Only those in “Gem” condition (MS67 or higher) or those with the Wide Rim variety command high prices.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a Susan B. Anthony dollar?

A: The mint mark is located on the left side of the coin, just above Susan B. Anthony’s shoulder. “P” stands for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco.