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The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from $1 in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade mint state. While most of these coins found in your change or old jars are worth their face value, specific specimens from the Denver Mint can fetch a premium among collectors today.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $1.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS63) | $2.00 – $4.50 |
| Mint State (MS65) | $8.00 – $15.00 |
| Gem Mint (MS67+) | $60.00 – $250.00+ |
History of the 1979 Denver Mint Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar made history in 1979 as the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a real woman rather than an allegorical figure. The Denver Mint played a massive role in this launch, striking over 288 million of these coins to meet expected high demand. If you are struggling to identify whether your coin is a Denver strike or a Philadelphia one, using a top coin identifier app can help you locate the small “D” mint mark and confirm its origin.
Unfortunately, the SBA dollar was not a hit with the American public. Its size and color were too similar to the Washington Quarter, leading to frequent confusion at cash registers. Because so many were hoarded or sat in bank vaults, the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar value remains relatively low for circulated pieces. However, for those using CoinKnow to track their collection, the focus is always on the quality of the strike and the preservation of the coin’s luster.
When evaluating your coin, keep in mind that the Denver Mint was known for producing relatively consistent strikes compared to Philadelphia that year. Because billions were produced across all mints in 1979, finding one in your pocket probably means it’s worth $1, but “Mint State” examples are where the real excitement begins for hobbyists.
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Understanding the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value by Grade
To determine the true worth of your coin, you must understand the grading scale. This scale runs from 1 to 70. Most 1979-D dollars you find in the “wild” are in circulated condition, meaning they have scratches, dull surfaces, and wear on Susan B. Anthony’s hair or the eagle’s feathers on the reverse. For a more detailed breakdown, you can check the 1979 SBA dollar price trends by grade to see how much of a difference a single point on the scale can make.
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In higher grades, such as MS65 or MS66, the coin must have its original “mint bloom”—that frosty or satiny shine it had the day it was struck. The Denver Mint coins often have slightly better surface quality than their Philadelphia counterparts. Using CoinKnow allows you to compare your coin’s appearance to high-resolution photos of graded specimens, helping you decide if your coin is worth the fee for professional grading.
| Grade Designation | Appearance Characterstics | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | Slight wear on high points, mostly shiny. | $1.10 – $1.50 |
| Mint State 63 (MS63) | Many contact marks, but no wear from use. | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Mint State 66 (MS66) | Very few marks, excellent eye appeal. | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Mint State 67 (MS67) | Virtually flawless to the naked eye. | $150.00 – $400.00 |
The Denver Mint Mark: Where to Look
Every Susan B. Anthony dollar has a mint mark, except those specifically struck for certain later sets, but for the 1979 issue, you are looking for one of three letters: “P” (Philadelphia), “D” (Denver), or “S” (San Francisco). The “D” for Denver is located on the obverse (heads) side of the coin. If you look just above Susan B. Anthony’s right shoulder (your left), you will see the small letter stamped into the metal.
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The 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar value is influenced by the fact that Denver produced 288,015,744 coins. Because this was the first year of the series, many people kept rolls of these coins thinking they would become rare. This “hoarding effect” means that today, many decades later, there is still an abundant supply of 1979-D dollars in uncirculated condition. If you want a quick appraisal of your specific coin’s potential, looking at a 1979 dollar coin value guide can give you the current auction records for Denver-minted specimens.
While volume is high, the “D” mint mark is still preferred by some collectors over the “P” mint mark because the Denver strikes often show cleaner details on the “Apollo 11” inspired reverse, which depicts an eagle landing on the moon.
Rare Varieties and Errors for the 1979-D SBA Dollar
While the 1979-D doesn’t have a “Near Date” or “Wide Rim” variety like the Philadelphia version, it is still susceptible to common minting errors. These errors can significantly increase the 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar value. Common errors include “Off-Center” strikes, where the coin image is not centered on the planchet, and “Broadstrikes,” where the coin was struck without its retaining collar, making it look slightly larger and flatter than usual.
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Another interesting error to look for is the “Clad Layer Missing” error. Susan B. Anthony dollars are made of a copper-nickel sandwich. If one of the outer nickel layers fails to bond, the coin will appear bright copper-red on one side. These can be worth hundreds of dollars. Before you spend that odd-looking coin, take a photo of it with CoinKnow to see if it matches known error patterns.
Double dies are less common on the Denver issue than on the 1979-S proof, but they do exist. Look for doubling in the lettering of “LIBERTY” or the date. Even a minor doubling can turn a $1 coin into a $20 or $50 item for an error collector.
Tips for Collectors and Casual Sellers
If you have just found a 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar, the first rule is: do not clean it! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth can create micro-scratches that destroy its numismatic value. Collectors prefer a coin with its original patina, even if it looks a bit dark or “toned.”
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Secondly, store your coins properly. If you think you have a high-grade 1979-D, put it in a PVC-free plastic flip or a cardboard 2×2 holder. This prevents further scratches and “bag marks” that happen when coins clink together. The difference between an MS66 and an MS67 can be hundreds of dollars, and a single scratch can be the deciding factor.
| Action | Impact on Value |
|---|---|
| Cleaning with Polish | Reduces value by 50-90% |
| Professional Grading (PCGS/NGC) | Increases liquidity and confirms high prices |
| Storing in a Jar | Causes “bag marks” that lower the grade |
Conclusion: Is Your 1979-D Dollar a Hidden Gem?
While most 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollars are common, they represent a unique era in American minting history. They were part of a bold experiment to modernize U.S. currency, even if the public wasn’t quite ready for it. For the average person, these coins are a fun piece of history that is at least worth its face value.
If you happen to find one that looks spectacularly shiny, with no scratches and a sharp strike, it might be worth investigating further. High-end collectors are always looking for the “best of the best,” and as the supply of perfect coins dwindles over time, the value of those rare high-grade 1979-D dollars will only continue to grow.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell if my 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar is a Denver mint?
A: Look on the heads side (obverse) of the coin, just above Susan B. Anthony’s right shoulder. If you see a small “D,” it was minted in Denver. If you see a “P,” it’s Philadelphia, and an “S” means San Francisco.
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Q: Why is my 1979-D dollar worth only one dollar?
A: Because the government produced over 288 million of them in Denver alone, they are not rare. Most were saved by people hoping they would become valuable, so there is still a massive supply of them available today.
Q: Is there a “Wide Rim” 1979-D dollar?
A: No, the “Wide Rim” (also known as the Near Date) variety is only found on the 1979-P (Philadelphia) Susan B. Anthony dollars. All 1979-D dollars have the standard Narrow Rim (Far Date) design.
Q: What is the most expensive 1979-D Susan B. Anthony dollar ever sold?
A: High-grade specimens in MS68 have sold for over $1,000 at auction. However, these coins are extremely rare and must be certified by a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.