A knowledgeable coin dealer can estimate the value of your silver dollar just by inspecting it. However, the value of a silver dollar is usually determined by its origin, age, and condition. Its variety will also play a role in this.
So what’s the value of a silver dollar from 1979? In this article, I’ll explain how to know the value of your dollar coin.
What is a 1979 Silver Dollar Worth?
The silver dollar produced in the United States in 1979 is known as the Susan B. Anthony dollar. The US Mint produced the dollar coins to lower the price of making paper $1 bills. While most 1979 Anthony dollar coins are incredibly cheap due to their availability, a few are pretty valuable. As a result, the 1979-P and 1979-S type 2 silver dollars are more valuable than other types.
| Date and Mint Type | Circulated Buy | Circulated Sell | Uncirculated Buy | Uncirculated Sell |
| 1979-S | $2 | $1.10 | $2.50 | $2 |
| 1979-D | $2 | $1.05 | $2.50 | $2 |
| 1979-P | $2 | $1.05 | $3 | $2.20 |
| 1979-P Wide Rim | $10 | $6 | $30 | $22 |
| 1979-S Type 1 Proof | – | – | $8 | $6.30 |
| 1979-S Type 2 Proof | – | – | $69 | $52 |
Note: Depending on the buyer or seller, you may receive a different offer for your type of silver dollar. To give you a general idea of what to expect for your coins, the chart above only approximations and not exact rates.
Because of the confusion they created, the 1979 silver dollars were short-lived. As mentioned earlier, the coins were intended to take the place of dollar bills to reduce costs. But because it was so easily confused with quarters, people rejected it.
The coins were created between 1979 and 1981 and then again in 1999. They bore the image of Susan B. Anthony, a pioneering women’s rights advocate.
Varieties of the 1979 Silver Dollar Coins
The silver dollar coins have few visible differences, and I’ll list the distinctions below to help you understand how much each is worth.
The Wide Rim Silver Dollar Coin
The US Mint produced two coin hubs in 1979. However, the minting made two different obverse dies due to an error. The first one arrived with a broad rim, so the date was too close to the coin’s rim.
These obverse die the government only used types to produce silver dollar coins in the state of Philadelphia. This explains why some items have the P mint mark on them, and this variety is not found in any of the coins bearing the D or S mint marks.
So, check the date on your silver dollar coin if you have one. The date would hang too close to the thick rim. Because it is rare, this particular coin variety is highly-priced. However, the coin’s value can be found when it is an uncirculated variety. If it is the circulated variety, it is only marginally valuable.
The Narrow Rim Silver Dollar Coin
The value of the narrow-rimmed silver dollar coin is lower than that of the wide-rimmed variety, which holds even if it is uncirculated. If you have a coin from 1979 with the P mint mark, check the date just like you would with a wide-rim dollar. If it is far from the rim, it has a narrow rim and is not very valuable.
The S Proof Type 1
The S mint mark on this type is illegible and resembles a glob more than a specific letter. It is referred to as the “blob mint mark” as a result.
This is because, in 1979, punching mint markings onto operational obverse dies were done by hand, and the mark was subpar due to the old punch that was in use at the time.
Since this silver dollar is common and has a poor mint stamp, it is not valuable. Finding the mark and examining how obvious it is will be enough to determine if you have this kind of coin.
S-marked coins were produced in San Francisco.
The S Proof Type 2
A new punch for the mint markings was introduced at the end of the 1979 silver dollar coin production. The punch enhanced the S markings on the silver dollar coins. So, those with a clearer S were classified as type 2.
Due to the limited time, only a few of these coins were released from the mint. Because of this, they are rarer and more expensive than type 1.
Verify your coin. It is the newest S-type coin if it features a clear S with balls at the bottom and top of the letter. If so, you have a priceless coin. In fact, it is the most expensive and rarest of the silver dollar coins. You can see how much it is valued in the table above.
The 1979-D silver dollar coins were struck in Denver. By checking the left side of the coin, just over SBA’s shoulder, you may determine if you have one. The mint mark often appears there.
What Else Affects The Value Of The Silver Dollar?
What you will receive for a silver dollar depends on its appearance and condition. A coin that has been used will have signs of wear and tear. Coin collectors typically prefer to take coins that are shiny and new. For other varieties of collectors, the same holds true.
So, if your silver coin shows widespread use, its value declines. This is the same regardless of the coin type. If you have one already low in value and passed around, be prepared to accept a few dollars for it. You could decide to keep it and be patient to see if its value increases.
In contrast, if the silver dollar you have is uncirculated, you may be able to sell it for a reasonable price. Any coin collector would be prepared to pay a premium for this kind of silver dollar, particularly if it is the rare clear S type. Uncirculated does not necessarily imply never-before-used. Simply put, it indicates how widely it has been used, but there aren’t many or any signs of deterioration.
History Of The Silver Dollar Coin
The goddess Liberty was depicted in the original design for the 1979 silver dollar. It was featured on the observe side of the coin.
Legislators and other groups, however, resisted this and demanded that a real person, specifically a woman, be depicted on the dollar coin. Susan B. Anthony was chosen as the subject after proposals for different women were submitted. Meanwhile, the design from the Dwight Eisenhower dollar’s reverse side, the symbol of the Apollo 11 mission, was still present.
The US Mint produced 1,500,000,000 coins in anticipation of a public rush, which never came to fruition. Its initial confusion, where people mistakenly thought it was a quarter, impacted its acceptance.
However, as people started using it in vending machines and public transportation in the 1990s, its demand increased. The surplus decreased as a result of this.
Fun Facts
Did you know:
- One of the first US coins of this kind was the silver dollar. It was first used in the nation in 1794 and has been around ever since.
- Silver dollars have not always been consistent; other denominations were often used. In actuality, a silver shortage caused production to halt at some point. However, it is currently being produced once more, though not with silver and not for everyday use.
- Vending machines read the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar coin the same way a gold coin is read. This results from their electromagnetic signature, and the machines read the signature, not the color. On top of that, the gold color of the coin is not a result of the precious metal. Nickel, zinc, copper, and manganese are combined to create the color.
- A gold dollar coin replaced the last silver coin introduced in 1999, honoring Susan B. Anthony. It was created in 2000 and featured the Native American woman Sacagawea.
SEE: 1916-1945 Mercury Dime Value
Where To Sell Your Silver Dollar Coins
There are some trustworthy locations where you can get top dollar for your silver dollar coins. Naturally, they will verify their worth; they won’t believe you if you say otherwise. But if you’re anything like me, you’d want to maximize the opportunity. Consequently, I’ve listed a few locations below where you can sell your coins:
A Local Coin Dealer
Though it should go without saying, you might not find one so close to your residence. This is especially true for people who live in small towns.
Another drawback is that some of them will need to provide better value. The coins will be valued after they’ve been melted down and the silver content has been measured. But if you find one, you can sell your coins for cash—no need to wait or accept a check.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to interact with them directly and pick their brains. You will know where to go if you have more coins to sell.
An Online Coin Dealer
This is highly convenient. You don’t even need to meet the buyer in person if you’re a private person. You can locate many of these buyers—as well as trustworthy ones—online. So you have lots of options if one doesn’t work for you. But remember that the exchange won’t be confidential, and you’ll leave a digital financial trail.
Additionally, the dealer may hold your coins for days or even weeks while the payment clears. The coins must be transported safely as well. You might lose them, or it might be delayed. And also, transporting them might be expensive.
A Coin Show
At one coin show, you’ll find a lot of knowledgeable and trustworthy dealers. Even if you wait to sell, your coins usually fetch a reasonable price. You must, however, pay to enter the show. Additionally, it only occurs occasionally—at most once every two months.
EBay
You’ll probably receive a higher payout if your coins are included in an auction-style sale on eBay. The site typically has many serious buyers and collectors searching for such opportunities.
If your coins are the rarest variety, your chances are even better. The auction-style sale also carries a small risk of underselling. You will also need to pay for the services, and transporting the coins could significantly reduce your profit.
Conclusion
To determine the value of a 1979 silver dollar, consider the following:
- Condition
- Mint Mark
Your dollar coins’ value can change significantly depending on these two factors.