How many 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars were made?
The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar is a significant coin in American numismatic history, as it marked the first time a woman appeared on the obverse side of a United States dollar coin. The coin was designed to commemorate Susan B. Anthony, a prominent suffragist and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement. However, the coin’s production and circulation have generated considerable interest among collectors and historians. The question that often arises is: How many 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars were made?
The answer to this question is not straightforward, as the coin was produced in multiple mint marks and in various quantities. The United States Mint produced the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar in four different mint marks: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC). The Philadelphia Mint struck the largest number of coins, with an estimated 3,733,000 coins produced. The Denver Mint followed with approximately 1,780,000 coins, while the San Francisco Mint produced around 1,200,000 coins. The Carson City Mint, which was reopened for this coin, struck a mere 500,000 coins.
It is important to note that the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar was also produced in proof and uncirculated versions. The proof coins were struck on special planchets with a mirror-like finish and are highly sought after by collectors. The Philadelphia Mint produced 1,020,000 proof coins, while the Denver Mint struck 1,020,000 proof coins as well. The San Francisco Mint produced 1,200,000 proof coins, and the Carson City Mint struck 500,000 proof coins.
The uncirculated coins, which were sold in mint sets, were produced in similar quantities to the proof coins. The Philadelphia Mint struck 2,000,000 uncirculated coins, the Denver Mint produced 2,000,000 uncirculated coins, the San Francisco Mint struck 2,000,000 uncirculated coins, and the Carson City Mint struck 500,000 uncirculated coins.
In summary, the total number of 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars produced can be estimated at approximately 9,633,000 coins, including both mint marks and versions. This figure does not account for any coins that may have been melted down or lost over time, which can further affect the available population for collectors. The coin’s limited mintage and the interest in Susan B. Anthony’s legacy have made the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar a popular and valuable collectible in the numismatic community.
