The 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from $5 in circulated condition to over $1,500 in top-tier mint state. While most of these small dollars are only worth face value, identifying this specific “Near Date” variety can turn a pocket change find into a significant profit.

Condition	Typical Value Range
Circulated (Average)	$5.00 – $15.00
About Uncirculated (AU)	$20.00 – $35.00
MS60 – MS64 (Uncirculated)	$50.00 – $120.00
MS66+ (Gem Quality)	$500.00 – $1,500.00+

Understanding the 1979-P Wide Rim Variety

When the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar was first released in 1979, the U.S. Mint experimented with the design’s aesthetics. The “Wide Rim” variety, also known as the “Near Date” variety, occurred late in the 1979 production year at the Philadelphia Mint. On these coins, the border or “rim” of the coin is notably thicker, causing the date (1979) to sit much closer to the edge.

For many Americans, telling the difference between a rare variety and a common coin can be difficult. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking at, using a top coin identifier app is the fastest way to get a preliminary ID. The standard 1979-P dollar has a “Narrow Rim” (Far Date), where the numbers are quite far from the rim. Because the Wide Rim was only produced for a short window, it is considered the “key” to the SBA series.

Professional collectors often look for these in old mint sets or bulk coin bags. If you happen to have a collection and want to catalog it quickly, CoinKnow allows you to snap a photo and instantly compare your coin against thousands of known varieties. This is especially helpful for the SBA dollar, as the differences are measured in fractions of a millimeter.

How to Identify the Wide Rim vs. Narrow Rim

The most reliable way to identify this valuable coin is to look at the relationship between the date and the raised edge. On the rare 1979-P Wide Rim, the number “1” in the date is incredibly close to the rim—almost touching it. On the common version, there is a clear, wide gap of flat metal between the numbers and the border.

Another tell-tale sign is the spacing of the eleven stars around the border. On the Wide Rim variety, the stars sit closer to the rim as well. If you have a magnifying glass, check the rim width; the rare version has a rim that is roughly twice as thick as the standard version. Many people use CoinKnow to zoom in on these specific details when they don’t have a professional loupe handy.

Because these coins were meant for circulation, many Wide Rim dollars are heavily worn. Even in poor condition, they retain a premium value because of their scarcity. You can find more detailed 1979-P Wide Rim market prices to see how much a worn versus a pristine specimen currently fetches at auction.

Feature	Narrow Rim (Common)	Wide Rim (Rare)
Date Position	Far from the edge	Very close to the edge
Rim Width	Thin and narrow	Thick and wide
Scarcity	Extremely Common	Hard to Find

Why Condition Matters for 1979-P Dollar Value

While the variety makes the coin special, the “Grade” determines the final price. A coin that has been jingling in a pocket for years will have scratches and dullness, lowering its value significantly. However, a “Mint State” (MS) coin—one that looks like it just came off the press—can be a true treasure.

Collectors use a 70-point scale to grade coins. For a 1979-P Wide Rim, an MS65 grade is considered “Gem Bu” (Brilliant Uncirculated). At this level, you might see a price tag of $150 or more. If the coin reaches MS67, the price jumps into the high hundreds. Using CoinKnow can help you estimate whether your coin is worth the investment of sending it to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.

Understanding the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar worth is essential before selling. If you have a Wide Rim that is bright, shiny, and free of fingerprints, handle it only by the edges. Any oil from your skin can degrade the metal over time and lower its potential auction value.

The History and Failure of the SBA Dollar

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was a historic release, being the first circulating U.S. coin to feature Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s ally in the suffrage movement. However, the coin was a commercial failure. To the average 1979 consumer, the coin felt and looked too much like a Washington Quarter. This led to thousands of 1979 dollars being tucked away in bank vaults for decades.

Because so many were produced (over 360 million in Philadelphia alone), the regular Narrow Rim versions are worth exactly $1 today. The Wide Rim is the “mistake” that survived. It essentially represents the Treasury’s attempt to fix the design by making the rim more distinct, but the change happened so late in the year that only a small percentage of 1979-P coins carry the modification.

If you find a Susan B. Anthony dollar in your grandparent’s jar, don’t assume it’s common. The Wide Rim is one of the “hidden” gems of modern American numismatics. It is the perfect example of why it pays to look closely at your change before spending it at the grocery store.

Grade (Sheldon Scale)	Estimated Market Value
MS63	$45.00
MS65	$165.00
MS66	$400.00
MS67	$1,850.00

Other Varieties to Watch For

While the 1979-P Wide Rim is the most famous for that year, there are other versions of the SBA dollar to keep on your radar. For instance, the San Francisco Mint (S) produced proof coins for collectors. In 1979, they had two types of “S” mint marks: Type 1 (a filled, “blobby” S) and Type 2 (a clear, sharp S). The Type 2 is much rarer and more valuable.

In 1981, the dollar was only issued in Mint Sets, not for general circulation, making any 1981 Susan B. Anthony dollar worth a premium. If you have an SBA dollar dated 1999, it was part of a brief “comeback” series before the Sacagawea dollar was released. These are common but can be valuable in perfect condition.

Always check the mint mark, which is located on the obverse (the face side) just above Susan B. Anthony’s left shoulder. “P” is for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco. Remember, only the “P” mint mark has the Wide Rim variety we’ve discussed today.

Where to Sell Your 1979-P Wide Rim Dollar

Once you’ve identified your coin using CoinKnow, you might want to cash in. For circulated Wide Rim dollars worth $10–$20, eBay is often the best marketplace. Ensure you take high-quality, clear photos showing the date and the rim thickness so buyers know exactly what they are getting.

If you believe your coin is in MS66 or higher condition, do not sell it to a local pawn shop. They will rarely pay the full premium for high-grade modern varieties. Instead, consider getting it certified by PCGS and looking into specialized coin auctions. A certified MS67 Wide Rim can solve a lot of bills!

Lastly, always check recent “Sold” listings on auction sites rather than the “Asking” prices. This gives you a realistic view of what people are actually willing to pay. The market for SBA dollars is stable, but condition is the absolute king when it comes to the final payout.

FAQ

Q: Can I find a 1979-P Wide Rim in my pocket change?

A: Yes! While they are rare, they were released into general circulation. Many people spent them thinking they were quarters, so it is entirely possible to find one at a bank or in a coin jar.

Q: Why is it called the “Near Date” variety?

A: It is called “Near Date” because the wider rim takes up more space on the coin’s surface, forcing the numbers of the date “1979” to appear much closer to the edge than they do on the standard version.

Q: Is the 1979-D or 1979-S Wide Rim worth money?

A: No, the Wide Rim variety only exists for the Philadelphia (P) mint in 1979. While 1979-D and S coins have their own value factors, the specific Wide Rim variety is unique to the P mint for that year.

Q: How much is a regular 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar worth?

A: A regular “Narrow Rim” 1979-P, D, or S dollar in circulated condition is generally worth only its face value of $1.00. Most banks still have these in stock for their standard exchange value.

Q: Should I clean my 1979-P Wide Rim to make it worth more?

A: NEVER clean your coins. Cleaning causes microscopic scratches that professional graders can easily spot. A cleaned coin will lose up to 90% of its collector value, even if it is a rare variety.