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The 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony Dollar is worth anywhere from $10 in circulated condition to over $1,500 in top-tier mint state. Known by collectors as the “Near Date” variety, this specific coin is a prized find for anyone checking their spare change or old collections.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $10 – $20 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | $25 – $40 |
| Mint State 63 (Uncirculated) | $50 – $75 |
| Mint State 65 (Gem Brilliant) | $120 – $200 |
| Mint State 67+ (Rare Perfection) | $1,000+ |
Why the 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony is Rare
When the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar was first released in 1979, the U.S. Mint initially used a “Narrow Rim” design. Late in the year, officials decided to increase the width of the rim to give the coin a more substantial appearance. This change resulted in the date being positioned much closer to the edge.
Because this change happened late in the production cycle, the “Wide Rim” (or “Near Date”) version is much harder to find than the standard 1979 dollar. If you find one in a drawer or a piggy bank, you aren’t just looking at a dollar; you’re looking at a collector’s item. To quickly verify your finds, you can use a top coin identifier app to see if your coin matches the rare profile.
Using tools like CoinKnow makes it easy for everyday Americans to distinguish between common pocket change and rare varieties. Most 1979 dollars you see will have the “Narrow Rim,” which is only worth its face value if circulated. The Wide Rim variant, however, carries a significant premium because of its lower mintage relative to the standard issue.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Identifying the Wide Rim vs. Narrow Rim Variety
The key to unlocking the 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony Dollar value is knowing how to spot the difference. The primary indicator is the distance between the year “1979” and the raised edge (the rim) of the coin. On a standard Narrow Rim coin, there is a clear, wide gap between the numbers and the edge.
On the Wide Rim variety, the rim is noticeably thicker, and the date sits very close to it—almost touching it. Another trick is to look at the stars on the left side of the coin; on the Wide Rim version, the stars are positioned closer to the edge as well. You can compare your coin against current market 1979-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar price data to see how much of a premium your specific grade might command.
If you are unsure, CoinKnow can help you zoom in on these fine details. Many people mistake the standard coin for the rare one, but once you see them side-by-side, the thick, heavy border of the Wide Rim becomes unmistakable. It gives the coin a “chunky” look that the standard version lacks.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Feature | Narrow Rim (Common) | Wide Rim (Rare) |
|---|---|---|
| Date Placement | Far from the rim | Very close to the rim |
| Rim Thickness | Thin and flat | Thick and wide |
| Stars Placement | Center-aligned | Shifted toward the rim |
Grading and Quality: What Affects Your Coin’s Price?
Like all collectibles, condition is king. While even a worn 1979-P Wide Rim is worth about $10, the real money is found in “Mint State” (MS) coins. These are coins that never entered circulation and still have their original luster. A coin with a few scratches might be graded MS60 or MS63, while a flawless example would be MS67 or higher.
When checking your 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar worth and value, remember that professional grading by companies like PCGS or NGC can drastically increase the resale price. A coin that looks perfect to the naked eye might actually have thousands of tiny “bag marks” from when it was stored at the mint, which can lower the grade.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Professional collectors look for “eye appeal.” This means the coin shouldn’t have dark spots, heavy toning, or deep scratches across Susan B. Anthony’s face. If your coin has a sharp strike and looks like it just came off the press, it could be worth hundreds of dollars. CoinKnow is a great way to photograph your coin and get an initial idea of its quality before paying for professional grading.
Market Trends for the 1979 Wide Rim SBA Dollar
The market for Susan B. Anthony dollars has seen a steady rise in interest over the last decade. Because these coins were unpopular when they first came out (many Americans confused them with quarters), millions were set aside in bank vaults for years. This means there is a surprisingly healthy supply of uncirculated coins, but the Wide Rim variety remains the “key date” of the 1979 issue.
At major auctions, high-grade 1979-P Wide Rim dollars have sold for staggering amounts. For example, specimens graded MS67+ have been known to sell for over $2,000 at specialized numismatic auctions. For the average person, selling to a local coin shop might net you a bit less than the “book value” because the dealer needs to make a profit, but the high demand for this variety makes it easy to sell.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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The prices for these coins tend to stay stable because they are popular “entry-level” rarities. Many new collectors start by searching for this specific coin because it is one of the few valuable 20th-century coins you can still occasionally find in the wild.
| Grade Level | Recent Auction Average |
|---|---|
| MS64 | $85 |
| MS65 | $150 |
| MS66 | $375 |
| MS67 | $900+ |
Where to Find and Sell Your 1979-P Wide Rim Dollar
If you think you have one of these treasures, the first step is to protect it. Do not clean your coin! Cleaning a rare coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth can create microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. Place it in a plastic flip or a soft container immediately.
You can find these coins in old “United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Sets” from 1979. Surprisingly, even the mint sets sometimes contained the Wide Rim variety by mistake. If you have a sealed set from that year, check the dollar coin inside—it could be worth ten times what you paid for the whole set.
When it comes time to sell, you have several options. eBay is a popular place for raw (ungraded) coins, but for high-value specimens, a reputable auction house or a certified coin dealer is a safer bet. Using an app like CoinKnow can help you keep track of your collection’s value over time so you know exactly when the market is “hot” enough to sell.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Summary of the 1979-P Near Date SBA Dollar
The 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony dollar remains one of the most exciting “modern” rarities. It bridges the gap between everyday money and high-end coin collecting. While most Susan B. Anthony dollars are only worth $1, the Wide Rim variety proves that it pays to look closely at the details.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or someone who just found a strange-looking dollar in a desk drawer, the Wide Rim is a piece of American history. Its existence is a testament to the manufacturing tweaks that happen behind the scenes at the U.S. Mint, creating “accidental” rarities that we can still enjoy today.
Keep your eyes peeled for that thick rim and the date that hugs the edge. If you find one, you’ve discovered a piece of silver-colored gold!
FAQs
Q: Why is the Wide Rim version more valuable than the Narrow Rim?
A: The Wide Rim version was a late-year design change, meaning far fewer were produced than the original Narrow Rim version. Its scarcity makes it a “must-have” for collectors completing a Susan B. Anthony set.
Q: How can I tell if my 1979 dollar is a Wide Rim without a magnifying glass?
A: Look at the number “1” in 1979. If the bottom of the “1” is almost touching the raised rim of the coin, it is likely a Wide Rim. If there is a gap large enough to fit another small line of metal, it is a common Narrow Rim.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Q: Does the mint mark ‘P’ matter?
A: Yes. The Wide Rim variety is specifically an error/variety found on coins from the Philadelphia Mint (marked with a ‘P’). San Francisco (‘S’) and Denver (‘D’) coins do not have this specific variety in the same way.
Q: Should I get my 1979-P Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony dollar professionally graded?
A: If the coin is in perfect, uncirculated condition (no scratches, bright shine), it is worth grading. If it is circulated or worn, the $20-$30 cost of grading might be more than the coin is worth.
Q: Can I still find these in circulation?
A: While rare, it is possible! Some people still use SBA dollars for vending machines or laundromats. It’s always worth checking the rim before you spend one.