Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value: What Yours Is Worth
Most Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth exactly one dollar — they contain no silver and were made in large numbers. Struck from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, the 'SBA' dollar was the first circulating U.S. coin to honor a real woman, but its quarter-like size made it unpopular, so many survive in uncirculated condition. This guide covers why most are common, the few varieties worth a premium, and how to value yours.
Key takeaways
- Susan B. Anthony dollars (1979–1981 and 1999) are copper-nickel clad, contain no silver, and are usually worth $1.
- The 1979-P 'Wide Rim' (Near Date) variety is the most notable circulating coin and carries a premium.
- 1981 dollars were sold only in mint sets, so they bring a small premium over common dates.
- Certain proof varieties, like the 1979-S and 1981-S Type 2 'Clear S,' are more valuable to collectors.
- The coin's similarity in size to a quarter made it unpopular, which is why so many sat unused.
How much is a Susan B. Anthony dollar worth?
Almost always one dollar. SBA dollars are copper-nickel clad with no precious metal, and they were produced in quantity, so common dates in circulated or uncirculated condition are worth face value.
A few varieties and proof issues are exceptions, but the everyday coin is a $1 coin.
Are Susan B. Anthony dollars silver?
No. They are copper-nickel clad, the same non-silver composition used for dimes, quarters, and halves since 1965. The color is silvery, but there is no silver content.
That puts the SBA dollar in the same boat as other modern clad dollars; see are dollar coins worth anything for the wider context.
What is the 1979 Wide Rim variety?
The most notable circulating SBA variety is the 1979-P Wide Rim (also called 'Near Date'), where the date sits closer to a thicker rim than on the common 'Narrow Rim' coins. The Wide Rim is scarcer and carries a premium, especially in high grade.
Compare the gap between the date and the rim to tell the two apart — the Wide Rim's date nearly touches the rim.
Why are 1981 SBA dollars worth a bit more?
1981 Susan B. Anthony dollars were struck only for collector mint sets, not for general circulation. Because they were never released into change, they are a little scarcer and carry a small premium over common dates.
Even so, these are modest premiums — 1981 SBA dollars are collectible, not rare.
Which proof varieties are valuable?
Proof SBA dollars from San Francisco include sought-after varieties: the 1979-S Type 2 ('Clear S') and the 1981-S Type 2 ('Clear S'), where the mint mark is sharper and better defined than the more common 'Filled S' coins. These clear-S proofs are scarcer and worth more.
Because the differences are subtle, a magnifier helps, and high-value examples are best confirmed by a grading service — see coin grading explained.
| Coin | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Common dates | Worth $1 face value |
| 1979-P Wide Rim | Scarcer variety; carries a premium |
| 1981 (P, D, S) | Mint-set only; small premium |
| 1979-S Type 2 proof | 'Clear S'; more valuable |
| 1981-S Type 2 proof | 'Clear S'; more valuable |
Where should you sell Susan B. Anthony dollars?
Common SBA dollars can be spent or sold to a coin shop, but expect face value. For the Wide Rim and clear-S proof varieties, a rare coin dealer may pay a premium.
If you have rolls or a hoard, a shop can take them at face; do not expect a markup on common coins.
Frequently asked questions
Are Susan B. Anthony dollars worth anything?+
Most are worth their $1 face value. The 1979-P Wide Rim variety, 1981 mint-set coins, and certain clear-S proofs are the exceptions that carry a premium.
Are Susan B. Anthony dollars silver?+
No. They are copper-nickel clad with no silver, the same composition as modern dimes and quarters. The color is silvery but there is no silver content.
What is the 1979 Wide Rim dollar?+
It is a variety where the date sits close to a thicker rim. The Wide Rim (Near Date) is scarcer than the common Narrow Rim and worth a premium, especially in high grade.
Why were Susan B. Anthony dollars unpopular?+
They were close in size and color to a quarter, so people confused the two. That unpopularity is why so many were never spent and survive in uncirculated condition.