Have you hidden some $1 coins in your house? It’s time to search through and take a closer look at them, especially if one was minted in 1980. Some of these coins are now fetching thousands of dollars on the collector’s market, and you likely have a small fortune sitting at home without realizing it.
This makes the 1980 Susan B. Anthony dollar one of the most unusual U.S. coins. While in general the coins are common and cheap, still, certain varieties of them are desirable among numismatists (coin collectors), especially those that are in uncirculated condition. Read on to learn the history and qualifying characteristics of this unique coin, including what it is that can make some worth up to $2,150 or more.
The historic Susan B. Anthony dollar
The coin that is popularly known as Susan B. Anthony dollar had that parity with history in the United States in being the first coin in history specially designed for a real woman as opposed to an allegorical figure like Lady Liberty. The Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coinage Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 to authorize the redesign of the one-dollar coin and increase its size while also enabling a fresh approach in appearance.
The coin was introduced on July 2, 1979, in Rochester, New York, which was the home city of Susan B. Anthony during her busy years in the suffrage movement. Designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, the obverse of the coin features a portrait of Anthony surrounded by 13 stars. On the reverse side of the coin, there is depicted the eagle landing on the Moon, inspired by the insignia of the Apollo 11 mission.
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Just as with the intended replacement of the dollar bill, it initially did not enter common use. It was not struck again until 1999 after ceasing production in 1981. Yet, it became a favorite among collectors as one of those rare and high-grade examples, with the likes of the 1980 coin.
What makes the 1980 $1 coin so valuable?
Most of the 1980 Susan B. Anthony dollars are readily available, but they’re not all alike. Start with whether your coin has a “P” mintmark indicates that it was made at the Philadelphia Mint. The facility produced 27,610,000 copies of this coin in 1980.
It has to do with the condition of the coin. Coin-collecting organizations such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), among others, grade coins roughly from 1 to 70, with the highest-rated coins commanding premium prices. Below is a list of what a 1980-P $1 coin might be worth, depending on its grade:
- MS-62: Up to $5
- MS-63: Up to $8
- MS-64: Up to $10
- MS-65: Up to $15
- MS-66: Up to $50
- MS-67: Up to $185
- MS-68: Up to $2,150
In fact, one MS-68 graded coin fetched $4,600 at auction in 2008, demonstrating the significant premium for coins in exceptional condition.
How to evaluate your coin
The physical condition is the primary aspect that one evaluates of the 1980 Susan B. Anthony dollar. Look for insignificant wear, sharp details, and a complete absence of scratches or stains. If the coin appears to be in excellent condition, use your might to contact a numismatist or qualified coin dealer for his or her evaluation.
Research the current market demand and auction patterns before using one of those well-known grading services. Even an unblemished coin could be worth a few thousand, but actual values depend on what the supply will be at the time one wants it for sale.
And if you happen to have such a coin, chances are, it may be worth several times its face value. So check your drawers and piggy banks; maybe that missing treasure is hiding in plain sight.
