In the world of U.S. coin collecting, few modern coins have sparked as much buzz as the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar—especially the elusive version known as the “Wide Rim” or “Near Date” variety.
Though millions of these coins were minted, a small batch stands out for one distinct reason: the spacing between the date and the coin’s rim. And surprisingly, some of these valuable coins are still showing up in everyday circulation.
What Is the 1979 Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony Dollar?
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was first issued in 1979, marking a historic moment as the first U.S. coin to honor a real woman. The coin features a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, the famed suffragist, and was meant to replace the dollar bill. While the coin had a relatively short run due to its similarity in size and color to the quarter, it remains a notable piece in American numismatic history.
What makes some of the 1979 coins particularly special is a minting variation known as the Wide Rim or Near Date. In this version, the rim of the coin appears much closer to the date “1979” than in the standard, or “Narrow Rim,” version. This slight but clear difference has caught the attention of collectors, pushing up the coin’s value well above its face value.
How Rare Is the Wide Rim Variant?
The Wide Rim variety was only minted for a short time at the Philadelphia Mint before the design was adjusted. As a result, relatively few of these coins were released into circulation compared to the standard version. Still, unlike many rare coins that vanish into private collections or bank vaults, some of these Wide Rim dollars have managed to stay in circulation.
That means the next time you’re handed change—or dig through a forgotten drawer—you could be looking at a coin worth far more than a dollar.
What Is It Worth Today?
The value of a 1979 Wide Rim Susan B. Anthony dollar depends heavily on its condition. In circulated condition, it might sell for $50 to $100 to an interested buyer. However, in uncirculated or proof-like condition, collectors have paid $500 or more for a pristine example. Coins graded by professional services like PCGS or NGC tend to command even higher prices, especially if they score high grades on the mint-state scale.
How to Spot a Wide Rim Dollar
Identifying the Wide Rim variety isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. The key difference lies in the space between the rim and the date on the obverse (heads) side:
- On the Wide Rim (Near Date) version, the rim appears thicker, and the date “1979” is very close to the rim.
- On the Narrow Rim (Far Date) version, there is a noticeably larger gap between the date and the rim.
Having a magnifying glass or comparing it side by side with another 1979 dollar can make spotting the difference much easier.
Still Out There in Change
Despite being over 40 years old, some Susan B. Anthony dollars—including the Wide Rim variant—are still used in everyday transactions, often going unnoticed. They’re occasionally dispensed by older vending machines, change counters, or found in bank rolls and coin jars.
Collectors suggest keeping an eye out whenever handling coins, especially older dollar pieces. It’s a small detail, but one that could be worth hundreds of dollars if recognized.
Also Read:- Check Your Change: This Roosevelt Dime Could Be Worth Over $700,000
Final Thoughts
The 1979 Susan B. Anthony Wide Rim dollar is a perfect example of how minor minting differences can turn ordinary pocket change into a collector’s item. While it may be decades old, it’s not out of reach. In fact, it could be hiding in plain sight—right in your spare change.
So next time you come across a Susan B. Anthony dollar, take a closer look. That “ordinary” coin might just be a rare piece of history still traveling from hand to hand.
