1979 Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar: A Collector's Guide

What is the significance of "1979s Susan B. Anthony"?

The Susan B. Anthony dollar, often called the "Susie B," was a one-dollar coin struck by the United States Mint from 1979 to 1981 and briefly in 1999.

The coin was designed to replace the Eisenhower dollar, which had been unpopular due to its large size and weight. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was smaller and lighter than the Eisenhower dollar, and it was also designed to be more difficult to counterfeit.

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was named after Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement. Anthony was a strong advocate for women's rights, and she worked tirelessly to achieve the right for women to vote.

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar, and it was often mistaken for a quarter. The coin was also criticized for its design, which some people found to be unattractive.

In 1999, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar. The Sacagawea dollar is still in circulation today.

1979s Susan B. Anthony

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was a one-dollar coin struck by the United States Mint from 1979 to 1981 and briefly in 1999. It was designed to replace the Eisenhower dollar and was named after Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement.

• Size: Smaller and lighter than the Eisenhower dollar.
• Design: Featuring Susan B. Anthony's profile.
• Composition: Made of copper-nickel.
• Edge: Reeded.
• Nickname: "Susie B."
• Popularity: Not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar.
• Discontinuation: Replaced by the Sacagawea dollar in 1999.

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant coin in the history of American coinage. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait and the first to be smaller than the half dollar. The coin was also controversial, with some people criticizing its design and others mistaking it for a quarter. Despite its shortcomings, the Susan B. Anthony dollar remains an important part of American numismatic history.

1. Size

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was smaller and lighter than the Eisenhower dollar for several reasons.

• Composition: The Susan B. Anthony dollar was made of copper-nickel, while the Eisenhower dollar was made of silver-clad copper. Copper-nickel is a less expensive and lighter metal than silver-clad copper.
• Size: The Susan B. Anthony dollar was 26.5 mm in diameter and 2.26 mm thick, while the Eisenhower dollar was 38.1 mm in diameter and 2.39 mm thick.
• Weight: The Susan B. Anthony dollar weighed 8.5 grams, while the Eisenhower dollar weighed 22.68 grams.

The smaller size and lighter weight of the Susan B. Anthony dollar made it more convenient to carry and use than the Eisenhower dollar. It was also less expensive to produce.

2. Design

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was the first U.S. coin to feature a woman's portrait. This was a significant milestone in the history of American coinage and a tribute to Susan B. Anthony's contributions to the women's suffrage movement.

• Symbolism: Susan B. Anthony was a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, and her portrait on the coin symbolized the progress that had been made in the fight for women's rights.
• Representation: The inclusion of Susan B. Anthony's portrait on the coin also helped to increase the visibility of women in American society.
• Artistic merit: The coin's design was praised for its beauty and simplicity. The obverse featured a profile of Susan B. Anthony, while the reverse featured an American eagle landing on the Moon.
• Controversy: The coin was also controversial, with some people criticizing its design and others mistaking it for a quarter. Despite these criticisms, the Susan B. Anthony dollar remains an important part of American numismatic history.

The decision to feature Susan B. Anthony's portrait on the 1979 dollar coin was a significant one. It was a tribute to her work for women's rights and a symbol of the progress that had been made in the fight for gender equality.

3. Composition

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was made of copper-nickel, an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This was a significant change from the Eisenhower dollar, which was made of silver-clad copper. The use of copper-nickel made the Susan B. Anthony dollar less expensive to produce and more durable than the Eisenhower dollar.

• Cost-effectiveness: Copper-nickel is a less expensive metal than silver, so the Susan B. Anthony dollar was less expensive to produce than the Eisenhower dollar.
• Durability: Copper-nickel is a more durable metal than silver, so the Susan B. Anthony dollar was more resistant to wear and tear than the Eisenhower dollar.
• Magnetic properties: Copper-nickel is a magnetic metal, which made the Susan B. Anthony dollar easy to sort and count using automated machines.
• Corrosion resistance: Copper-nickel is a corrosion-resistant metal, which helped to protect the Susan B. Anthony dollar from tarnishing and other forms of damage.

The use of copper-nickel in the Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant change that had a number of advantages. The coin was less expensive to produce, more durable, easier to sort and count, and more resistant to corrosion than the Eisenhower dollar.

4. Edge

The edge of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar is reeded, meaning that it has a series of evenly spaced vertical grooves. This is a common design feature on coins, and it serves several purposes.

• Security: Reeding helps to prevent counterfeiting by making it more difficult to create fake coins. The grooves on the edge of the coin make it more difficult to strike a counterfeit coin with the same level of detail as a genuine coin.
• Coin orientation: Reeding also helps to orient the coin correctly when it is inserted into a vending machine or other automated device. The grooves on the edge of the coin help to ensure that the coin is properly aligned so that it can be accepted by the machine.
• Coin identification: Reeding can also help to identify a coin, especially if it is damaged or worn. The grooves on the edge of the coin can help to distinguish it from other coins of similar size and composition.
• Coin stacking: Reeding also helps to prevent coins from sticking together when they are stacked. The grooves on the edge of the coin create a small amount of friction, which helps to keep the coins from sticking to each other.

The reeded edge of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar is a small but important design feature that serves several purposes. It helps to prevent counterfeiting, orient the coin correctly, identify the coin, and prevent coins from sticking together.

5. Nickname

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was nicknamed "Susie B." for several reasons. First, the name is a diminutive of Susan B. Anthony, the famous women's suffrage leader who was featured on the coin. Second, the name is easy to remember and pronounce, which made it popular with the public.

• Popularity: The nickname "Susie B." was quickly adopted by the public and became the most common way to refer to the coin. This is likely due to the fact that the name is catchy and easy to remember.
• Affection: The nickname "Susie B." also conveys a sense of affection for the coin. This is likely due to the fact that Susan B. Anthony was a beloved figure in American history.
• Distinction: The nickname "Susie B." also helps to distinguish the coin from other dollar coins. This is important because the Susan B. Anthony dollar is similar in size and composition to the quarter, which can lead to confusion.

The nickname "Susie B." is a significant part of the history of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar. It is a testament to the popularity of the coin and the affection that the public has for Susan B. Anthony.

6. Popularity

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar for several reasons. First, the Eisenhower dollar was a larger and heavier coin, which made it more substantial and easier to handle. Second, the Eisenhower dollar had a more distinctive design, with a large central eagle on the reverse. Third, the Eisenhower dollar had been in circulation for many years, so people were more familiar with it.

• Size and weight: The Eisenhower dollar was larger and heavier than the Susan B. Anthony dollar, which made it more substantial and easier to handle. This was especially important for people who were used to the larger size and weight of the silver dollar.
• Design: The Eisenhower dollar had a more distinctive design than the Susan B. Anthony dollar, with a large central eagle on the reverse. This made the Eisenhower dollar more visually appealing and easier to identify.
• Familiarity: The Eisenhower dollar had been in circulation for many years, so people were more familiar with it. This made the Eisenhower dollar more popular with the public, even though the Susan B. Anthony dollar was smaller, lighter, and more convenient to use.

Despite these factors, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was still a popular coin. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait, and it was also the first coin to be made of copper-nickel. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was also a very durable coin, and it could withstand a lot of wear and tear. As a result, the Susan B. Anthony dollar remained in circulation for many years, even though it was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar.

7. Discontinuation

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued in 1999 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar. There were several reasons for this change.

• Popularity: The Susan B. Anthony dollar was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar, which it replaced in 1979. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was often mistaken for a quarter, and it was not as easy to use in vending machines.
• Counterfeiting: The Susan B. Anthony dollar was also relatively easy to counterfeit. This was due to its small size and its lack of distinctive features.
• Sacagawea dollar: The Sacagawea dollar was designed to address the problems of the Susan B. Anthony dollar. It was larger and more distinctive, and it was also more difficult to counterfeit.

The discontinuation of the Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant event in the history of American coinage. It marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The Sacagawea dollar has been in circulation since 1999, and it has been well-received by the public.

The discontinuation of the Susan B. Anthony dollar is a reminder that coins are not just pieces of metal. They are also symbols of our history and culture. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was a controversial coin, but it was also an important one. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait, and it helped to pave the way for the Sacagawea dollar.

FAQs about the 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was a one-dollar coin struck by the United States Mint from 1979 to 1981 and briefly in 1999. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait and the first to be smaller than the half dollar. The coin was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar, which it replaced, and it was often mistaken for a quarter. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued in 1999 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar.

Question 1: Why was the Susan B. Anthony dollar not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar?

There were several reasons why the Susan B. Anthony dollar was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar. First, the Eisenhower dollar was a larger and heavier coin, which made it more substantial and easier to handle. Second, the Eisenhower dollar had a more distinctive design, with a large central eagle on the reverse. Third, the Eisenhower dollar had been in circulation for many years, so people were more familiar with it.

Question 2: Was the Susan B. Anthony dollar easy to counterfeit?

Yes, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was relatively easy to counterfeit. This was due to its small size and its lack of distinctive features.

Question 3: Why was the Susan B. Anthony dollar discontinued?

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued in 1999 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar. There were several reasons for this change. First, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was not as popular as the Eisenhower dollar, which it replaced in 1979. Second, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was often mistaken for a quarter, and it was not as easy to use in vending machines. Third, the Sacagawea dollar was designed to address the problems of the Susan B. Anthony dollar. It was larger and more distinctive, and it was also more difficult to counterfeit.

Question 4: What is the nickname of the Susan B. Anthony dollar?

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was nicknamed "Susie B." for several reasons. First, the name is a diminutive of Susan B. Anthony, the famous women's suffrage leader who was featured on the coin. Second, the name is easy to remember and pronounce, which made it popular with the public.

Question 5: What is the composition of the Susan B. Anthony dollar?

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was made of copper-nickel, an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This was a significant change from the Eisenhower dollar, which was made of silver-clad copper. The use of copper-nickel made the Susan B. Anthony dollar less expensive to produce and more durable than the Eisenhower dollar.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the United States Mint.

Transition to the next article section: The Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant coin in the history of American coinage. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait and the first to be smaller than the half dollar. The coin was also controversial, but it remains an important part of American numismatic history.

Conclusion

The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant coin in the history of American coinage. It was the first dollar coin to feature a woman's portrait and the first to be smaller than the half dollar. The coin was also controversial, but it remains an important part of American numismatic history.

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was a product of its time. It was a time of change and progress for women, and the coin was a symbol of that progress. The coin's design was simple and elegant, and it featured a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement. The coin's reverse featured an American eagle landing on the Moon, a symbol of America's growing space program.

The Susan B. Anthony dollar was not without its critics. Some people found the coin to be too small and easy to mistake for a quarter. Others objected to the design, which they felt was too plain. Despite these criticisms, the Susan B. Anthony dollar remained in circulation for over 20 years. It was finally discontinued in 1999 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar.The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a reminder of the progress that has been made in the fight for women's rights. It is also a reminder of the importance of having a diverse and inclusive currency. The coin's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Americans.