Discover The Rarest: 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony Dollar

What is a 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony Dollar?

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a one-dollar coin struck by the United States Mint in 1979. It is composed of a clad composition of 88.5% copper and 11.5% silver, and weighs 8.1 grams. The coin's obverse features a likeness of Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, while its reverse depicts an American eagle landing on the Moon.

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced as a replacement for the Eisenhower dollar, which had been in circulation since 1971. The new coin was designed to be more cost-effective to produce than its predecessor, and its smaller size and lighter weight made it easier to handle and use in vending machines.

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was not initially well-received by the public. Many people found the coin to be too small and lightweight, and its similarity to the quarter led to confusion and frustration. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance, and it remained in circulation until 1981, when it was replaced by the Sacagawea dollar.

Today, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a popular collector's item. Its silver content makes it more valuable than its clad counterparts, and its historical significance makes it a desirable addition to any coin collection.

1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a significant coin in American history. Here are six key aspects that highlight its importance:

• Composition: Silver clad
• Size: Smaller than previous dollar coins
• Weight: Lighter than previous dollar coins
• Design: Features Susan B. Anthony on the obverse and an American eagle landing on the Moon on the reverse
• Circulation: 1979 to 1981
• Popularity: Initially unpopular, but eventually gained acceptance

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced as a more cost-effective and convenient replacement for the Eisenhower dollar. However, its small size and similarity to the quarter led to confusion and frustration among the public. Despite its initial unpopularity, the coin eventually gained acceptance and remained in circulation for several years.

Today, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a popular collector's item. Its silver content makes it more valuable than its clad counterparts, and its historical significance makes it a desirable addition to any coin collection.

1. Composition

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is composed of a clad composition of 88.5% copper and 11.5% silver. This composition was chosen for several reasons:

• Cost-effectiveness: Silver clad is less expensive to produce than pure silver, making the coin more affordable to produce.
• Durability: Silver clad is more durable than pure silver, making the coin more resistant to wear and tear.
• Distinctiveness: The silver clad composition gives the coin a unique appearance that distinguishes it from other coins in circulation.

The use of a silver clad composition in the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant departure from previous dollar coins, which were typically composed of pure silver. However, the clad composition proved to be a successful choice, and it has been used in all subsequent dollar coins.

2. Size

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is significantly smaller than previous dollar coins, measuring 26.5 millimeters in diameter and 2.22 millimeters in thickness. This reduction in size was made for several reasons:

• Cost-effectiveness: Smaller coins require less metal to produce, making them less expensive to manufacture.
• Convenience: Smaller coins are easier to carry and handle, making them more convenient for everyday use.
• Distinctiveness: The smaller size of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar helped to distinguish it from other coins in circulation, reducing confusion.

The smaller size of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant change from previous dollar coins, which were typically larger and heavier. However, the smaller size proved to be a successful choice, and it has been used in all subsequent dollar coins.

The smaller size of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar also had a practical significance. The smaller size made the coin more difficult to counterfeit, and it also made the coin less likely to be mistaken for other coins in circulation, such as the quarter.

3. Weight

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is significantly lighter than previous dollar coins, weighing only 8.1 grams. This reduction in weight was made for several reasons:

• Cost-effectiveness: Lighter coins require less metal to produce, making them less expensive to manufacture.
• Convenience: Lighter coins are easier to carry and handle, making them more convenient for everyday use.
• Distinctiveness: The lighter weight of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar helped to distinguish it from other coins in circulation, reducing confusion.

The lighter weight of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was a significant change from previous dollar coins, which were typically larger and heavier. However, the lighter weight proved to be a successful choice, and it has been used in all subsequent dollar coins.

The lighter weight of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar also had a practical significance. The lighter weight made the coin easier to use in vending machines and other automated devices. It also made the coin less likely to be lost or misplaced.

4. Design

The design of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is significant for several reasons. First, it features Susan B. Anthony on the obverse, making her the first woman to be depicted on a circulating U.S. coin. This was a major milestone in the women's rights movement, and it helped to raise awareness of Anthony's contributions to the cause of women's suffrage.

Second, the reverse of the coin features an American eagle landing on the Moon. This design commemorates the Apollo 11 mission, which landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969. The eagle landing is a powerful symbol of American achievement and ingenuity, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of space exploration.

The combination of these two designs on the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar creates a coin that is both visually appealing and historically significant. It is a coin that celebrates two important milestones in American history, and it serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in the areas of women's rights and space exploration.

5. Circulation

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced into circulation in 1979 and remained in circulation until 1981. Its relatively short circulation period is due to several factors:

• Public confusion: The coin's small size and similarity to the quarter led to confusion among the public. Many people mistook the coin for a quarter, and this confusion led to frustration and complaints.
• Vending machine problems: The coin's small size and light weight also caused problems with vending machines. Many vending machines were not able to properly accept or dispense the coin, leading to further frustration and complaints.
• Lack of public acceptance: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was never fully accepted by the public. Many people found the coin to be too small and lightweight, and they preferred the larger and heavier Eisenhower dollar.

Due to these factors, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued in 1981 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar. The Sacagawea dollar was larger and heavier than the Susan B. Anthony dollar, and it was designed to be more easily distinguishable from the quarter. The Sacagawea dollar has been in circulation since 2000 and is the current one-dollar coin in the United States.

The circulation period of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is an important factor to consider when evaluating the coin's significance. The coin's short circulation period is a reflection of its unpopularity with the public. However, the coin's historical significance as the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a woman on the obverse makes it a valuable collector's item.

6. Popularity

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was initially unpopular with the public due to its small size and similarity to the quarter. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance and remained in circulation for several years.

• Public confusion: The coin's small size and similarity to the quarter led to confusion among the public. Many people mistook the coin for a quarter, and this confusion led to frustration and complaints.
• Vending machine problems: The coin's small size and light weight also caused problems with vending machines. Many vending machines were not able to properly accept or dispense the coin, leading to further frustration and complaints.
• Lack of public acceptance: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was never fully accepted by the public. Many people found the coin to be too small and lightweight, and they preferred the larger and heavier Eisenhower dollar.

Despite these initial challenges, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar eventually gained acceptance. The coin's silver content made it more valuable than its clad counterparts, and its historical significance as the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a woman on the obverse made it a popular collector's item. Today, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a valuable and sought-after coin by collectors and investors alike.

FAQs about the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a significant coin in American history. It was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a woman on the obverse, and its silver content makes it more valuable than its clad counterparts.

Question 1: What is the composition of the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar?

Answer: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is composed of a clad composition of 88.5% copper and 11.5% silver.

Question 2: Why was the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar introduced?

Answer: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced as a more cost-effective and convenient replacement for the Eisenhower dollar.

Question 3: Why was the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar unpopular at first?

Answer: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was initially unpopular due to its small size and similarity to the quarter, which led to confusion and frustration.

Question 4: When was the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar discontinued?

Answer: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar was discontinued in 1981 and replaced by the Sacagawea dollar.

Question 5: Is the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar still in circulation today?

Answer: No, the 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is no longer in circulation today. It was replaced by the Sacagawea dollar in 2000.

Summary: The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a significant coin in American history. It was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a woman on the obverse, and its silver content makes it more valuable than its clad counterparts. Despite its initial unpopularity, the coin eventually gained acceptance and remained in circulation for several years.

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Conclusion

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a significant coin in American history. It was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a woman on the obverse, and its silver content makes it more valuable than its clad counterparts. Despite its initial unpopularity, the coin eventually gained acceptance and remained in circulation for several years.

The 1979 Silver Susan B. Anthony dollar is a reminder of the progress that has been made in the areas of women's rights and space exploration. It is a valuable collector's item and a piece of American history.