How To Understand The Value Of Ancient Money
Standard Circulated Value: The vast majority of circulated 1979 Susan B. Anthony examples are worth approximately their face value of one dollar. It’s important to clarify that despite sometimes being referred to as a 1979 Susan B Anthony silver dollar, this coin is not made of silver. It’s composed of a copper-nickel clad, similar to quarters and dimes of the era.
Therefore, the intrinsic metal value is negligible. For most people asking if a 1979 Susan B Anthony USD worth anything, the answer is yes, its face value, but don’t expect a significant return unless it’s uncirculated or possesses a notable error.
The Significance of Minting Errors: The most substantial factor that can increase the value of a 1979 Susan B. Anthony coin is the presence of a genuine minting error. Collectors actively seek out 1979-D Susan B. Anthony money errors and 1979-P Susan B. Anthony dollar errors.
These errors can range from minor anomalies like a 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar blob mint mark (an obstruction during striking that creates a raised, undefined area near the mint mark) to more significant issues such as off-center strikes, doubled dies, or missing elements. The rarity and severity of the error directly influenced the 1979 Susan B Anthony dollar value, with some errors fetching significantly more than face value.
Understanding Varieties. The Wide Rim Example: While not strictly an error, certain varieties can also command a premium. The 1979-P wide rim Susan B Anthony dollar value is a prime example. This variety, where the rim appears slightly wider than on the standard issue, is a recognized difference that collectors seek.
The value of a 1979-P wide rim Susan B. Anthony USD depends on its condition, with uncirculated or higher-grade examples being more desirable. This highlights that even subtle differences in the minting process can create collectible variations.
The Role of Condition in Value: As with any collectible coin, the condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of a 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar. Uncirculated examples, which retain their original mint luster and show no signs of wear, are generally worth more than circulated coins.
The grading of coins, using terms like Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, and Mint State (Uncirculated), provides a standardized way to assess condition. A well-preserved uncirculated 1979 Susan B Anthony P dollar value will be higher than a worn, circulated one.
Mint Marks and Their Standard Placement: The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar mint mark location (P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, and S for San Francisco) is a standard feature and, in itself, does not typically add significant value to a circulated coin.
Collectors aiming for a complete Susan B Anthony dollar set 1979 and 1980 value will need examples from each mint for both years. However, the absence or misplacement of a mint mark would constitute a significant error, drastically increasing the coin’s value.
Distinguishing Normal Features from Errors: It’s important to recognize normal design elements from actual errors. The presence of the designer’s initials, FG (Frank Gasparro), on the coin is a standard part of the design. Therefore, the 1979 Susan B. Anthony FG dollar value for a common circulated coin remains around face value. The term 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar FG simply refers to a standard coin with these initials visible and is not an error to seek for increased value.
