When most people think of rare and valuable American coins, their minds often go to early pennies, silver dollars, or gold coins. But few realize that a relatively modern coin — the Susan B. Anthony dollar — can fetch eye-popping sums, including a staggering $11.9 million for certain rare varieties. Could one of these hidden treasures be tucked away in your coin collection or even your pocket change?
Who Was Susan B. Anthony?
Susan B. Anthony was a pioneering American social reformer and women’s rights activist. She played a crucial role in the women’s suffrage movement, fighting tirelessly for women’s right to vote. Honoring her legacy, the U.S. Mint introduced the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979 — the first U.S. coin to depict a real woman who wasn’t a historical figure from centuries ago.
What Makes the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Special?
The coin was designed by Frank Gasparro, featuring Susan B. Anthony’s portrait on the obverse and an eagle landing on the moon (borrowed from the Apollo 11 mission insignia) on the reverse. Despite its historical significance, the coin was initially unpopular with the public due to its small size and similarity to the quarter, causing many to overlook it.
Yet, within this series lies a subset of extremely rare and valuable coins.
The $11.9 Million Susan B. Anthony Dollar — What’s the Story?
The headline-grabbing $11.9 million Susan B. Anthony dollar refers to an extremely rare error coin that collectors prize above all else. This error occurred during the minting process and includes mistakes that make the coin almost one-of-a-kind.
Types of Valuable Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors:
- 1979-P Doubled Die Obverse: A coin showing a clear doubling of the portrait and lettering on the front.
- Misaligned Dies: Coins struck with misaligned dies, resulting in off-center or doubled features.
- 1969 Struck on Dollar Planchet: A much rarer anomaly where a 1969 dated coin was struck on a Susan B. Anthony dollar planchet before the series officially began in 1979.
Among these, one particular error coin surfaced in an auction fetching $11.9 million due to its rarity, impeccable condition, and historical significance as a minting error.
Why Are These Coins So Valuable?
1. Rarity
Error coins are by nature rare because they slip through the strict quality controls of the U.S. Mint. The fewer exist, the higher the demand among collectors.
2. Condition
Coins graded in “Mint State” or perfect condition (MS-65 and above) command premium prices. The $11.9 million coin was pristine and well-preserved.
3. Historical Significance
The Susan B. Anthony dollar symbolizes an important era in American history—recognition of women’s rights. That historical tie boosts collector interest.
4. Public Fascination with Errors
Coins with striking visual oddities like doubling, off-centering, or wrong planchets intrigue collectors and casual enthusiasts alike, often driving auction prices to record highs.
How to Identify a Valuable Susan B. Anthony Dollar
If you think you might have a valuable Susan B. Anthony dollar, here are a few tips:
- Look for Doubling: Check the obverse (front) closely for doubled images or letters.
- Check the Date and Mint Mark: Some error coins come from specific years and mints, making those dates critical.
- Examine the Coin’s Centering: Off-center coins may be worth more if the error is noticeable.
- Get a Professional Grading: Always have a suspected rare coin certified by a reputable grading service such as PCGS or NGC.
Where Are These Coins Now?
While some error coins are preserved in private collections, others occasionally turn up at auctions, coin shows, or even in unexpected places like old coin jars. The $11.9 million coin was sold through a major auction house to a private collector, but smaller-value error coins often appear on secondary markets.
Should You Hunt for Susan B. Anthony Dollars?
Absolutely! The Susan B. Anthony dollar is often overlooked, meaning some valuable coins remain undiscovered in circulation or collections. While finding the $11.9 million gem is incredibly unlikely, many other valuable error coins from the series are within reach of casual collectors.
Conclusion
The Susan B. Anthony dollar may have been unpopular in everyday transactions, but its rare error variants have made it one of the most surprising and lucrative parts of American coin collecting. The $11.9 million coin stands as a testament to the value of paying attention to history, detail, and the unexpected twists of minting errors.
So next time you handle a Susan B. Anthony dollar, take a moment to inspect it closely — you might just be holding a hidden treasure.