Susan B. Anthony Dollar

The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Dollar coin is a type of United States one-dollar coin that was minted from 1979 to 1981 then again in 1999. It was minted to honor the suffragette Susan B. Anthony, whose portrait appears on the obverse. The reverse side of the coin features a rendering of the notorious eagle, the bird of freedom which has been stamped onto all US currency since 1792.

The SBA Dollar was first released on July 2nd, 1979, which was coincidentally also the 100th anniversary of Anthony’s birth. This coin was revolutionary in that it acknowledged the fight for women’s rights. It was the first coin to commemorate a real woman and its circulation was comparable to the dime and quarter, something never before seen.

The SBA Dollar is approximately the same size as a quarter but has a tawny gold color, making it easier to distinguish. It has a specifications of 26.5mm diameter, 1.387 mm thick, with a weight of 8.1 grams. It is made of a pure copper core with an outer layer of manganese-bronze which gives it its unique color.

As for its minting process, the SBA Dollar is produced in both P and D mints. While the Philadelphia mint produces coins with a P mintmark and the Denver mint produces coins with a D mintmark. There are also proofs of this coin that were made, with a special S mintmark from the San Francisco mint. These coins were part of proof sets, and are extremely rare; it is estimated that only 1.4 million of these collectible coins were minted. For the rare proof varieties, the worth today is estimated to range from $15 to $20.

Despite its initial release being met with enthusiasm, the coin was unsuccessful in achieving widespread circulation. Common Complaints included the similarity in size to the quarter and the difficulty in recognizing it as a distinct coin. Due to these factors, the SBA Dollar was taken out of circulation in 1981. A new attempt to reintroduce the coin in 1999 to mark the new millennium was more successful, but it was taken out of circulation again in 2000.

In the end, the SBA Dollar was unsuccessful at achieving broad circulation. However, its centennial release made a statement by honoring the iconic woman’s fight for equal rights and it continues to be viewed as an inspiring symbol of women empowerment today.