The 1979 dollar coin might be hiding in your junk drawer — but don't spend it just yet. The Susan B. Anthony dollar, first struck that year, was a bold experiment in American currency, and a handful of rare varieties could turn forgotten pocket change into a small windfall for sharp-eyed collectors.

While most 1979 dollars are worth face value (or close to it), certain versions have become surprisingly valuable in the numismatics market. Whether you're a casual coin hunter or a serious collector, here's what to look for before you toss that small dollar back into circulation.

The Birth of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The 1979 dollar coin marked a watershed moment in U.S. minting history: it was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real woman. Susan B. Anthony, the legendary women's suffrage leader and tireless advocate for civil rights, was chosen to replace Dwight D. Eisenhower on the dollar coin after a public campaign that gained steam during the 1970s.

Designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, the coin retained the same copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) as its predecessor but shrunk in size to a more practical 26.5 mm. The intention was to make the dollar useful for everyday transactions, particularly in vending machines and mass transit systems that had previously rejected the chunky Eisenhower dollar.

The move was politically charged and broadly symbolic, but the rollout was rocky. Critics quickly noticed that the new dollar looked and felt dangerously similar to a quarter — a confusion that would haunt the coin throughout its entire lifespan and define its legacy in popular memory.

1979 Dollar Coin Mint Marks and Production

The U.S. Mint produced the 1979 dollar coin in three facilities, each identified by a small mint mark on the obverse just below Anthony's portrait:

  • 1979-P — Philadelphia Mint, the largest mintage at roughly 360 million coins
  • 1979-D — Denver Mint, with around 288 million struck
  • 1979-S — San Francisco Mint, proof-only issues aimed at collectors (about 3.6 million)

Combined first-year production exceeded 650 million coins — an enormous run that immediately saturated the market. The Mint had hoped the smaller, lighter dollar would finally catch on with consumers, but it flopped almost from day one. Banks refused to reorder, retailers complained of constant confusion at checkout, and the public largely rejected the new coin.

Demand collapsed so quickly that the U.S. Treasury suspended production by 1981, only briefly reviving the design in 1999 before retiring the Susan B. Anthony series for good.

The 1979 Wide Rim Variety: A Hidden Treasure

Here's where things get interesting. Among the millions of 1979 Philadelphia dollars, a small number were struck using a modified obverse die that created what collectors call the Wide Rim (or Near Date) variety. The difference is subtle but unmistakable once you know what to look for.

On the Wide Rim version, the date "1979" sits noticeably closer to the rim, and the gap between the lowest curve of the "9" and the coin's edge is markedly wider than on the standard 1979-P. This was caused by a slight alteration to the master die late in the production run, making the Wide Rim scarcer than the regular obverse.

What makes this variety special is scarcity combined with steady collector demand. Examples in circulated condition typically sell for $25 to $60, while uncirculated specimens graded MS-65 or higher can fetch $150 to $400 at auction. A handful of top-graded examples have crossed the $1,000 mark in recent years.

How to Identify the 1979 Wide Rim Dollar

  1. Locate the date "1979" on the obverse, just below Anthony's neck.
  2. Compare the space between the bottom of the "9" and the coin's rim.
  3. On Wide Rim coins, the gap is noticeably larger and the date appears pushed upward toward Anthony's portrait.
  4. Use a magnifying glass and compare against known reference images online.

Other Notable 1979 Dollar Varieties and Errors

Beyond the Wide Rim, the 1979-S proof dollar comes in two distinct types that collectors prize differently:

  • Type 1 — Features a filled "S" mint mark and a less defined portrait. Generally the more common variety.
  • Type 2 — Features a sharper, more open "S" mint mark. Struck from modified dies and is the scarcer of the two.

Type 2 proofs typically command $20 to $50 in typical proof condition, with high-grade PR-70 examples reaching several hundred dollars. Genuine mint errors from 1979 — such as off-center strikes, double die obverse impressions, and broadstrikes — are uncommon but do exist, and authenticated examples can be worth significant premiums.

Always have any potentially valuable coin authenticated and graded by a reputable third-party service such as PCGS or NGC before selling or insuring it.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for 1979 Dollar Coin Hunters

The 1979 dollar coin is one of those rare cases where American monetary history, political symbolism, and collectible value collide in a single small package. Most examples will only earn you a buck — but the Wide Rim variety and certain proof types can turn that single dollar into something far more meaningful.

Before you dismiss that dusty dollar at the bottom of a drawer, take a closer look. You might be sitting on a piece of history worth far more than face value.

  • Most 1979 dollars are worth face value — only rare varieties carry a real premium.
  • The 1979-P Wide Rim is the key variety to hunt for, with values ranging from $25 to several hundred dollars.
  • 1979-S Type 2 proofs are scarcer than Type 1 and worth a meaningful premium.
  • Always authenticate potentially valuable coins through PCGS or NGC before any transaction.