The Susan B. Anthony dollar placed a real woman on a circulating U.S. coin but struggled because its size and color were too close to the quarter.
This page covers the 1979–1981 issues and the 1999 return, including cataloged rim and proof mint-mark varieties.
Core specifications
- Issue period
- 1979–1999
- Catalog mints
- 3
- Reported catalog mintage
- 898,584,452
- Composition
- 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel
- Diameter
- 26.5 mm
- Weight
- 8.1 g
A historic portrait, an awkward public reception
The new small dollar was meant to be easier to handle than the Eisenhower dollar. It honored suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony and retained an Apollo-themed reverse.
Its eleven-sided inner border did not prevent confusion with the quarter. Production paused after 1981, then briefly returned in 1999 before the golden-colored Sacagawea dollar.
Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type
Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.
The main portrait and date
Gasparro's right-facing portrait of Susan B. Anthony is surrounded by stars, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date.
Denomination, subject, and mint mark
An eagle lands on the Moon with Earth above, adapted from the Eisenhower dollar and Apollo 11 imagery.
Where the cataloged coins were made
Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.
- P — Philadelphia: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1999; 420,424,000. P identifies Philadelphia; confirm its expected position and issue format against the series design guide.
- D — Denver: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1999; 344,670,452. Confirm the D mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
- S — San Francisco: 1979, 1980, 1981; 133,490,000. Confirm the S mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
Representative issues that explain the series
The basic date-and-mint set is short; rim spacing and S-mint proof punches provide the natural next level.
- 1979 P - Wide Rim - Near Date — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1979 S — 109,576,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1981 S — 3,492,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1999 P — 29,592,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1999 D — 11,776,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences
The current catalog records 6 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.
The issue catalog keeps all 6 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.
Issue catalog
From one type coin to a complete catalog
- One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
- Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
- Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
- Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.
A note on catalog records
This page uses 12 issue records, 6 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.
Sources
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar — United States Mint
- Dollar Coins and Their History — United States Mint
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar category reference — PCGS CoinFacts