1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties
1979 SBA dollar errors and varieties value guide. Wide Rim (Near Date) worth up to $4,406, Type 2 Clear S Proof $40–$300, wrong planchet errors up to $7,500. Free error checker included.
Most 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth $1–$5, but the Wide Rim variety and Type 2 Proof can be worth hundreds to thousands, and wrong-planchet errors up to $7,500.
- 1979-P Wide Rim / Near Date (FS-901):$5–$20 circulated; $55–$75 at MS65; auction record $4,406 at MS67
- 1979-S Type 2 Clear S Proof:$40–$60 (PR69 DCAM) | $150–$300 (PR70 DCAM) — only ~15–20% of proof mintage
- Wrong planchet errors:$500–$7,500+ depending on planchet type — weigh your coin
- Clips, broadstrikes, off-center strikes:$30–$500+ with grade and severity
⚠️ Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like doubling caused by die bounce) is extremely common on this series and worth nothing extra. Do not confuse it with a valuable Doubled Die.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors Error Checker
Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties
Values shown are typical retail estimates as of 2025-01 and may vary based on market conditions, eye appeal, and buyer demand.
The 1979 SBA dollar is extremely common in low Mint State grades due to massive government vault hoards released circa 2000. A 'shiny' coin is not necessarily rare — focus on attributed varieties (Wide Rim, Type 2 Clear S) and Gem grades (MS66+).
Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like doubling) is extremely common on this series due to the hard copper-nickel clad composition requiring extreme striking pressure. It has NO numismatic premium.
Error coin values vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and market demand. Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC/ANACS) is recommended for all high-value varieties and errors.
Wrong planchet errors and other major errors are known to be counterfeited. Only purchase certified examples from reputable dealers.
The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was a commercial disaster — the public rejected it for looking too much like a quarter — yet it quietly produced some of the most collectible varieties and errors in modern U.S. coinage. Over 750 million were struck across three mints, making most worth barely face value. But hidden among them is a Wide Rim variety worth thousands in top grade, a scarce Type 2 Proof, and exotic wrong-planchet errors worth up to $7,500. Check our full 1979 SBA dollar value guide for baseline prices, then use this error guide to find out if you're holding a gem.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar: Specifications & Mintage
| Denomination | $1 (Susan B. Anthony Dollar) |
| Designer | Frank Gasparro (Chief Engraver) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel clad — 75% Cu / 25% Ni outer layers bonded to a pure copper core |
| Weight | 8.1 grams |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Inner Border | 11-sided polygon (for tactile recognition) |
| Mints | Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S) |
1979 Mintage by Facility
| Mint | Strike Type | Mintage | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | Business Strike | 360,222,000 | Source of the Wide Rim variety (FS-901) |
| Denver (D) | Business Strike | 288,015,744 | Generally better strike quality; no major rim varieties known |
| San Francisco (S) | Business Strike | 109,576,000 | Lower mintage but still common in all grades |
| San Francisco (S) | Proof | 3,677,175 | Type 1 (Filled S) common; Type 2 (Clear S) scarce at ~15–20% |
💡 Why Gem Grades Are Surprisingly Rare
Despite 750+ million coins struck, most spent decades in canvas bags in Federal Reserve vaults, then were released around 2000. The resulting "bag friction" degraded millions to MS60–MS63. A true MS67 example — free of bag marks — is genuinely rare and can be worth 50× more than an MS65. A shiny coin is not automatically valuable. Grade is everything with this series.
For baseline values on common examples, see our full 1979 SBA dollar value guide.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Quick Checks: Do You Have Something Valuable?
Run through these checks before writing your coin off as common. You'll need a 10× loupe (a small jeweler's magnifying glass) and a digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams for the planchet test. Apply only the checks that match your mint mark.
1979-P Wide Rim / Near Date (FS-901) — Philadelphia Only
The obverse (front) date area and the inner 11-sided polygon border. Focus on where the first "1" in "1979" points relative to the polygon.
On the Wide Rim, the vertical post of the first "1" aligns with a vertex (corner point) of the 11-sided border. The rim is thick and rounded, and the date appears very close to the edge.
On the common Narrow Rim (Far Date), the first "1" aligns with a flat segment of the border — not a corner point. The rim is thin and wire-like with a clear gap between the date and the rim.
1979-S Type 2 Clear S Proof — San Francisco Proof Only
The S mint mark on the obverse to the left of the bust. This check applies only to Proof coins — those with a deeply mirrored, mirror-like finish sold in collector sets, not circulation coins.
A distinct, sharp "S" with open loops (you can see the mirrored field through the letter) and bulbous serifs clearly separated from the body of the letter.
Type 1 (Filled S) looks like a rounded rectangle or blob with filled-in loops and no distinct serifs. Most 1979-S Proofs are Type 1. Important: a Clear S is common on 1981 coins — this is only scarce on 1979.
Wrong Planchet Weight Test — All Mints
Weigh the coin on a digital scale accurate to 0.01g. A normal SBA dollar weighs exactly 8.1 grams. Also check if it looks undersized (normal diameter: 26.5 mm) or shows an unusual color.
Significantly underweight: ~5.67g (quarter planchet, 24.3 mm), ~5.0g (nickel planchet, 21.2 mm), or ~3.11g (cent planchet, 19 mm, copper-colored). Peripheral design will be missing or truncated.
Normal manufacturing tolerance is ±0.2g — don't worry about 7.9g or 8.3g. Coins ground down or filed will show obvious tool marks and uneven surfaces. Genuine errors have smooth, as-struck surfaces on the design.
Planchet Clip Error — All Mints
The edge and rim of the coin. Look for a crescent-shaped (curved clip) or straight section of metal missing from the planchet before it was struck.
Authentication key — the Blakesley Effect: a genuine clip always shows a weak, flat rim directly opposite the missing section. The clip edge itself must be smooth, not jagged or rough.
Post-mint damage (PMD) from being struck or gouged can mimic a clip but leaves rough, irregular edges and — critically — NO Blakesley Effect on the opposite rim. No Blakesley Effect = almost certainly PMD.
Broadstrike Error — All Mints
The edge and overall coin size. Compare against a normal SBA dollar (26.5 mm). Slide a fingernail along the edge — a normal coin is reeded (grooved).
The coin is visibly larger than 26.5 mm, thinner than normal, and has a completely smooth edge with no reeding whatsoever. The design is centered but spreads outward. The 11-sided border may be distorted.
A worn or machine-damaged edge may lose some reeding but won't be completely smooth. Partial reeding still visible means it is NOT a true broadstrike.
Off-Center Strike — All Mints
The overall design placement. Is the design clearly shifted to one side, with a blank crescent of unstruck planchet metal visible on the opposite side?
A clear blank area where no design was struck. Estimate the percentage off-center. Critically: is the full date still visible? A readable date on a heavily off-center coin dramatically increases value.
A Misaligned Die (MAD) error shows a slight design shift but the design still fills the entire planchet with no blank crescent area. True off-center strikes always show raw planchet surface.
Machine Doubling on Date or Lettering — All Mints (TRAP — Not Valuable)
Date numerals, lettering (IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY), and device edges. Machine Doubling is extraordinarily common on 1979 SBA dollars because the hard copper-nickel clad alloy required over 100 tons of striking pressure, causing dies to bounce or chatter after impact.
Nothing — this is a trap. Machine Doubling has no numismatic premium. It is not a Doubled Die variety.
- Machine Doubling is flat and shelf-like — the secondary image is lower in relief than the primary, as if scraped or dragged
- A true Doubled Die has rounded, raised secondary images with distinct split serifs separated from the primary design
- Machine Doubling effectively reduces the size of the original device; a Doubled Die adds to it
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Error & Variety Value Table
Values as of 2025. Linked error types have detailed coverage in the Jackpots section below. High-value rows are highlighted in amber.
| Error / Variety | Designation | Grade Range | Value Range | Auction Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Philadelphia (P) — Business Strikes | ||||
| 1979-P Narrow Rim (Far Date) | Common | Circulated | $1–$1.50 | — |
| 1979-P Narrow Rim (Far Date) | Common | MS60–MS65 | $2–$5 | — |
| 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) ★ | FS-901 | Circ (XF–AU) | $5–$20 | — |
| 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) ★ | FS-901 | MS63–MS65 | $55–$75 | — |
| 1979-P Wide Rim (Near Date) ★ | FS-901 | MS67 | $1,500–$2,500 | $4,406 |
| 🏛️ Denver (D) — Business Strikes | ||||
| 1979-D Business Strike | Common | Circulated | $1–$1.50 | — |
| 1979-D Business Strike | Common | MS60–MS65 | $2–$5 | — |
| 🏛️ San Francisco (S) — Business Strikes | ||||
| 1979-S Business Strike | Common | Circulated | $1–$2 | — |
| 1979-S Business Strike | Common | MS60–MS65 | $2–$5 | — |
| 💎 San Francisco (S) — Proofs | ||||
| 1979-S Type 1 (Filled S) Proof | Common | PR69 DCAM | $15–$25 | — |
| 1979-S Type 1 (Filled S) Proof | Common | PR70 DCAM | $30–$50 | — |
| 1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) Proof ★ | Scarce | PR69 DCAM | $40–$60 | — |
| 1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) Proof ★ | Scarce | PR70 DCAM | $150–$300 | — |
| ⚠️ Mint Errors — All Mints | ||||
| Struck on Quarter Planchet ★ | Rare | MS62+ | $500–$1,000+ | $499 (MS62, 2013) |
| Struck on Nickel Planchet ★ | Extremely Rare | MS63 | ~$6,500 | — |
| Struck on Cent Planchet ★ | Extremely Rare | MS65 RD | ~$7,500 | — |
| Curved Planchet Clip | Scarce | Various | $30–$130 | — |
| Straight Planchet Clip | Rarer | Various | $50–$200+ | — |
| Broadstrike | Scarce | Various | $100–$150 | $63 (2004) |
| Off-Center Strike (10%) | Scarce | Various | ~$100 | — |
| Off-Center Strike (50%+, full date) | Rare | Various | $300–$500+ | — |
| Machine Doubling (all types) | Extremely Common | All | Face value | — |
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Valuable Errors & Varieties: Detailed Guide
1979-P Wide Rim / Near Date (FS-901)
Left: Narrow Rim (Far Date) with thin rim and clear gap between date and edge. Right: Wide Rim (Near Date) with thick, rounded rim and date nearly touching.
Origin & Background
The Wide Rim is not a mint error — it is a deliberate mid-year design modification. Initial Philadelphia production in 1979 used a master hub with a relatively narrow rim. At some point during the year, a modified hub was introduced with a significantly wider rim, likely to improve the coin's visual boldness or extend die life. This wider rim encroaches on the field, pushing design elements (date, stars, LIBERTY) visually closer to the edge — creating the popular nickname "Near Date." The date itself was never moved; only the rim changed.
How to Identify: The Vertex Test
The Vertex Test: On the Wide Rim (right), the first "1" points to a corner of the 11-sided border. On the Narrow Rim (left), it points to a flat side.
- Vertex Test (definitive): Using a 10× loupe, find the first "1" in "1979." Trace its vertical post down to where it meets the 11-sided inner border. On the Wide Rim, it aligns with a vertex (corner point). On the common Narrow Rim, it aligns with a flat segment.
- Rim width: The Wide Rim appears thick, broad, and rounded. The Narrow Rim looks thin and wire-like.
- Date proximity: On the Wide Rim, the date appears very close to the rim edge. On the Narrow Rim, a clear gap is visible — approximately the width of a numeral stroke.
- Design compression: Stars and LIBERTY appear compressed against the edge on the Wide Rim.
False Positives to Avoid
The Narrow Rim (Far Date) comprises the majority of Philadelphia's mintage. Do not rely solely on the date's perceived closeness — this can be subjective. Machine Doubling on the date or rim can sometimes create an impression of a thicker rim, but it does not change vertex alignment. Always use the Vertex Test as the definitive diagnostic.
Market Values
- • Circulated (XF–AU): $5–$20
- • MS63–MS64: $169–$480 (recent auction data)
- • MS65: $55–$75 (certified)
- • MS67: $1,500–$2,500
Auction Record
$4,406 for an MS67 example (Heritage Auctions, 2013). PCGS CoinFacts and NGC both maintain population reports for this variety — see PCGS CoinFacts FS-901 and NGC Coin Explorer.
1979-S Proof Varieties: Type 1 vs. Type 2
The San Francisco Mint struck 3,677,175 proof SBA dollars for collector sets in 1979. A mid-year event — replacement of a degraded mint mark punch — created a clear and valuable dichotomy. The early, worn punch produced the Type 1 (Filled S); the new replacement punch produced the much scarcer Type 2 (Clear S). The Type 2 is estimated to represent only 15–20% of total proof mintage.
Critical cross-year warning: The Clear S punch introduced late in 1979 became the standard punch in 1981. A Clear S on a 1981 coin is the common Type 1 variety — not scarce. Do not confuse them. This diagnostic applies only to 1979-S Proofs.
1979-S Proof Type 2 (Clear S)
Left: Type 1 (Filled S) — blob-like with no clear loops. Right: Type 2 (Clear S) — sharp letter with open loops and distinct bulbous serifs.
Origin & Background
In 1979, mint marks were still individually hand-punched into working dies. The punch used early in the year was degraded from repeated use — the delicate serifs of the "S" had eroded and the metal spread, making the letter look like a blob. Recognizing the unacceptable quality, Mint officials retired the old punch and introduced a new one with crisp definition. This change occurred across all denominations in the 1979 proof set.
How to Identify
- Type 2 (Clear S — Scarce): A distinct, sharp "S" with fully open loops. The mirrored proof field is visible through the letter. Serifs are bulbous and clearly separated from the body of the S without touching its sides.
- Type 1 (Filled S — Common): A rectangular, blob-like "S." The loops are filled with metal or extremely shallow. Serifs are indistinct and merged with the letter body. Little to no definition between the center and serifs.
- A 5×–10× loupe is sufficient; the difference is unambiguous once you know what to look for.
False Positives to Avoid
This variety is only meaningful on 1979-S Proof coins. The Clear S punch became the standard in 1981 (where it is the common Type 1). Only purchase attributed, certified examples when paying Type 2 premiums — authentication eliminates any ambiguity. Read more at PCGS: The Type I & Type II 1979 and 1981 SBA Dollars.
Market Values
- • Type 1 PR69 DCAM: $15–$25
- • Type 1 PR70 DCAM: $30–$50
- • Type 2 PR69 DCAM: $40–$60
- • Type 2 PR70 DCAM: $150–$300 (5×–6× premium over PR69)
💡 Registry Set Effect
The PR70 DCAM premium is driven largely by PCGS and NGC Registry Set competition. Collectors chasing top registry spots must have the Type 2 — and they must have it in perfect PR70. This creates outsized demand for a coin with an already small supply, explaining the 5×–6× jump from PR69 to PR70.
1979 SBA Dollar Struck on Wrong Planchet
SBA dollar struck on a quarter planchet (24.3 mm vs. normal 26.5 mm). The undersized planchet cannot fill the dies, leaving peripheral design missing or truncated.
Origin & Background
The physical similarity between the SBA dollar (26.5 mm, 8.1g) and the quarter (24.3 mm, 5.67g) made cross-contamination of planchet bins a statistical inevitability during the chaotic high-volume production of 1979. When the wrong planchet entered the dollar press, the dies struck it with full force — but the smaller metal disc couldn't fill the collar, producing a small, often incomplete coin with SBA dollar designs.
How to Identify by Planchet Type
- Quarter planchet (5.67g, 24.3 mm): Most common wrong-planchet type. Coin is undersized with ragged or weak edges. Peripheral design elements (LIBERTY, date, stars) often missing or truncated. The 11-sided inner border typically absent or only partially visible.
- Nickel planchet (5.0g, 21.2 mm): Extremely rare — fewer than 10 examples estimated to exist. Extreme size difference results in a broadstruck appearance on a tiny flan with much of the design missing.
- Cent planchet (3.11g, 19 mm): Copper-colored. The red-copper color against the SBA design creates a striking visual contrast. Extremely rare.
False Positives to Avoid
Due to the high values involved, counterfeits exist. Only purchase wrong-planchet errors certified by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. Normal weight variation is ±0.2g — don't be alarmed by slight deviations. Coins that have been ground down or filed will show tool marks and uneven surfaces; genuine errors have smooth, as-struck surfaces on struck areas.
Market Values & Auction Records
- • Quarter planchet: $500–$1,000+
- • Nickel planchet: ~$6,500 (Sullivan Numismatics list price, MS63)
- • Cent planchet: ~$7,500 (wholesale list, MS65 RD)
Auction Record
$499.38 for a MS62 quarter-planchet example (Heritage Auctions, 2013). Current market values for attractive examples likely exceed $750–$1,000. See also Sullivan Numismatics — 1979-S Nickel Planchet example.
1979 SBA Dollar Planchet Clip Errors
Clipped planchet with the Blakesley Effect: the rim opposite the clip (bottom) is weak and flat — the key authentication marker for genuine clip errors.
How to Identify
- Curved clip: A crescent-shaped missing section. Occurs when the metal strip fails to advance fully and the blanking punch overlaps a previously punched hole.
- Straight clip: A straight-edge missing section. Occurs when the punch hits the very edge or end of the metal strip. Rarer than curved clips and commands higher premiums.
- Blakesley Effect (authentication): The single most important diagnostic. Look for rim weakness directly opposite the missing section — the missing metal at the clip site prevented the upsetting mill from fully forming the opposite rim. No Blakesley Effect = almost certainly post-mint damage.
False Positives to Avoid
Post-mint damage from being struck by a hard object creates similar-looking missing sections with rough, irregular, or sharp edges. PMD will never show the smooth clip edge and opposing rim weakness of a genuine clip.
Market Values
- • Curved clip: $30–$130
- • Straight clip: $50–$200+
1979 SBA Dollar Broadstrike
Broadstruck SBA dollar: the coin is wider than normal with a completely smooth, plain edge — the collar failed to contain the metal during the strike.
How to Identify
- The collar is the ring die that surrounds the planchet during striking to limit expansion and form the reeded edge. If the collar fails to deploy, metal spreads outward freely.
- Coin is larger than 26.5 mm and thinner than normal
- Completely smooth (plain) edge — no reeding whatsoever
- Design is usually centered and complete, but the 11-sided border may be distorted as metal spreads
Auction Record
$63 for a 1979-P broadstruck example (Heritage Auctions, 2004). Current market values for high-grade examples are estimated at $100–$150.
1979 SBA Dollar Off-Center Strike
Off-center struck SBA dollar. The blank crescent shows the unimpressed planchet area. A visible, full date on a heavily off-center coin is the most valuable configuration.
How to Identify & Value
- The design is clearly shifted to one side, leaving a blank crescent of raw planchet metal on the other
- Percentage off-center determines base value: higher shift = rarer = more valuable
- Full date visible: The single biggest value driver. A coin 50% off-center with no date may bring $100; the same coin with the full date readable can exceed $300–$500
Market Values
- • 10% off-center: ~$100
- • 50%+ off-center with full date: $300–$500+
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Common Traps: Don't Be Fooled
The 1979 SBA series generates more false alarms than almost any other modern coin, primarily because the hard copper-nickel clad composition makes certain types of surface damage look like premium varieties. Know these traps before you get excited.
⚠️ Machine Doubling — The #1 False Alarm
Doubled or shadowed lettering, numerals, or devices — especially on the date "1979" and IN GOD WE TRUST. Appears under a loupe as a secondary image next to or below the main design.
The hard copper-nickel clad alloy requires over 100 tons of striking pressure. This extreme force causes the die assembly to bounce or "chatter" for a microsecond, dragging the die across the freshly struck surface and scraping a flat "shelf" off the side of devices.
Left: Machine Doubling — flat, shelf-like, and lower in relief (worth nothing extra). Right: True Doubled Die — rounded, raised secondary image with split serifs. Know the difference.
- Machine Doubling is flat and shelf-like — lower in relief than the primary image
- A true Doubled Die has rounded, raised secondary images with split serifs; it adds detail rather than scraping it
- Machine Doubling reduces the apparent size of the original device; a Doubled Die makes it appear fuller
- No confirmed major Doubled Die varieties exist for the 1979 SBA dollar
Value: Face value only.
⚠️ Post-Mint Damage (PMD) Mistaken for Errors
Bent coins, missing metal, unusual shapes, or strange marks that look like striking errors or clips.
SBA dollars were stored in canvas bags and transported in bulk for decades. Machine damage, impacts, and industrial accidents can create coin damage that mimics legitimate errors.
- PMD "clips" have rough, jagged, or sharp edges — genuine clips are always smooth at the clip edge
- PMD lacks the Blakesley Effect (weak opposite rim) that authenticates genuine clip errors
- Bent or curved coins from post-mint damage don't show the uniform design spread of a broadstrike
Value: Face value only.
⚠️ Cleaned or Polished Coins
A very bright, shiny coin that looks like it has never been circulated — possibly with a mirror-like appearance.
Many SBA dollars were "polished" by non-collectors who thought brightening the coin increased its value. Cleaning actually destroys the coin's original surfaces and dramatically lowers numismatic value.
- Look for fine hairline scratches under a loupe — polishing always leaves these
- Genuine Mint State luster has a cartwheel effect when tilted under a light; cleaned coins have a flat, dull sheen
- A cleaned coin receives an "Improperly Cleaned" designation from grading services and is worth only melt or face value regardless of the grade it would otherwise merit
Value: Significantly reduced — often face value regardless of apparent condition.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors: How Grade Affects Value
Grade — the standardized numerical condition rating from 1 to 70 — has an exponential impact on value for 1979 SBA dollars, especially for the Wide Rim variety. Because hundreds of millions were stored in canvas bags for decades, bag marks (small contact nicks from coins banging together) are nearly universal below MS65.
| Grade | Description | Wide Rim Value |
|---|---|---|
| XF–AU (Circulated) | Visible wear on high points | $5–$20 |
| MS60–MS63 | Uncirculated but heavy bag marks | $2–$15 |
| MS65 (Gem) | Only minor marks; strong luster | $55–$75 |
| MS67 | Virtually mark-free; exceptional | $1,500–$2,500 |
The key grade threshold for the Wide Rim is MS67. Below that, prices are accessible; at MS67, the rarity premium kicks in sharply. For Proof coins, PR70 DCAM (perfect, Deeply Cameo) is the pinnacle — the Type 2 in PR70 commands 5×–6× the PR69 price.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors: When to Get Certified
Professional authentication by a major third-party grading service (TPG) is strongly recommended — and sometimes essential — for the following 1979 SBA scenarios:
- Wide Rim (FS-901) in MS65 or higher: Certification confirms the attribution and unlocks the premium value. Raw (uncertified) Wide Rims are often undervalued by buyers unsure of the identification.
- 1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) Proof: The premium depends entirely on correct identification. A certified label removes all doubt and enables Registry Set participation.
- Any wrong-planchet error: Counterfeits exist. Never purchase an uncertified wrong-planchet error at premium prices.
- Broadstrikes and significant clips: Certification authenticates the error and protects both buyer and seller.
The three major grading services are PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company), and ANACS. All three are recognized authorities for SBA dollar varieties and errors. Submission fees and turnaround times vary — consult each service's current schedule.
⚠️ Do NOT Clean Before Submitting
Cleaning a coin — even with water — can earn it a permanent "Improperly Cleaned" designation that destroys its numismatic value. Submit coins as-found. Grading services evaluate original surfaces.
For a list of reputable coin dealers specializing in modern errors and varieties, consult the American Numismatic Association (ANA) dealer directory at ana.org.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 1979-P Wide Rim different from the common variety?
The Wide Rim (FS-901) resulted from a mid-year change to the master hub used at the Philadelphia Mint. The new hub had a significantly wider and more rounded rim, which pushed the design elements visually closer to the edge — giving the appearance of a "Near Date." The date itself was never moved. The definitive test is the Vertex Test: on the Wide Rim, the first "1" in "1979" aligns with a corner (vertex) of the inner 11-sided border; on the common Narrow Rim, it aligns with a flat segment.
How do I tell a Type 1 from a Type 2 Proof?
Use a 10× loupe on the S mint mark. Type 1 (Filled S) looks like a blob or rounded rectangle — the interior loops are filled or very shallow, and the serifs blend into the letter body. Type 2 (Clear S) has a crisp, distinct "S" with fully open loops (you can see the mirrored proof field through them) and bulbous serifs that are clearly separated from the letter body. The difference is unambiguous once you know what to look for.
Is the doubling I see on the date valuable?
Almost certainly not. Machine Doubling is extraordinarily common on 1979 SBA dollars because of the extreme striking pressure required for the hard copper-nickel clad alloy. Machine Doubling is flat and shelf-like — the secondary image is lower in relief than the primary, looking scraped or dragged. A valuable True Doubled Die would have rounded, raised secondary images with distinct split serifs. No confirmed major Doubled Die varieties are known for this series.
Why is it so hard to find a high-grade 1979 SBA dollar?
Because the public rejected the coin, hundreds of millions were returned to the Federal Reserve and stored in canvas bags on pallets. These bags were jostled, transported, and stacked for over 20 years before being released around 2000 when transit authorities needed small dollars. The decades of "bag friction" — coins constantly banging against each other — degraded most specimens to MS60–MS63. Truly mark-free MS67 examples are genuinely rare despite the enormous mintage.
My coin is lighter than 8.1 grams — could it be a wrong-planchet error?
Possibly, but normal manufacturing tolerance is ±0.2g, so readings of 7.9g–8.3g are normal. To be a wrong-planchet error, the coin must be significantly underweight: ~5.67g (quarter planchet), ~5.0g (nickel planchet), or ~3.11g (cent planchet). Also check the diameter and look for missing peripheral design. If the numbers check out, submit it to PCGS, NGC, or ANACS immediately — do not purchase or sell without certification, as counterfeits exist.
Is a 1979 SBA dollar with a 1981 Clear S mark worth anything?
No — you have a 1981 coin, not a 1979. The Clear S punch introduced in late 1979 (the Type 2) became the standard punch in 1981, making it the common 1981 Type 1. The Clear S is only scarce — and therefore valuable — on 1979-S Proof coins. A 1981-S with a Clear S is the normal, common variety for that year.
Should I clean my 1979 SBA dollar before selling or submitting?
No — never clean a coin you believe may be valuable. Even mild cleaning (water rinse, cotton cloth) leaves microscopic hairline scratches that grading services detect and will designate as "Improperly Cleaned." This designation permanently reduces the coin's grade and value regardless of its original condition. Submit or sell coins exactly as found.
Are there Denver or San Francisco business strike varieties worth looking for?
No major rim varieties are known for Denver or San Francisco business strikes — the Wide Rim modification was specific to the Philadelphia mint hub. Denver examples tend to have slightly better strike quality. For S-mint business strikes, the lower mintage (109 million vs. 360 million for Philadelphia) makes gem-grade examples slightly more condition-scarce, but they carry no significant premium over Philadelphia in standard grades. Focus on striking errors (clips, broadstrikes, off-centers) for these mints.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Research: Sources & Methodology
Values and diagnostics in this guide are drawn from the following authoritative sources. All external links point directly to relevant pages, not generic homepages.
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1979-P Wide Rim FS-901 (mintage, population, auction data)
- PCGS News — 1979 Near Date SBA Dollars (Wide Rim diagnostics and valuation)
- PCGS News — The Type I & Type II 1979 and 1981 SBA Dollars (proof variety analysis)
- NGC Coin Explorer — 1979-P Wide Rim (population and grade data)
- Heritage Auctions — Quarter Planchet Error Lot (auction record)
- Sullivan Numismatics — Nickel Planchet Error (pricing reference)
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1979-P Standard Strike | 1979-D | 1979-S Business Strike
Prices reflect 2024–2025 retail estimates. Market conditions fluctuate; verify current values at auction archives before buying or selling.
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.
