💰 Your Susan B. Anthony Dollar Could Be Worth $6,900! Here’s the ‘Wide Rim’ Secret! 🤯

💡 The Story of the “Wide Rim” Variety

To find the treasure, you have to understand the story. The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar was introduced in 1979 to replace the large Eisenhower dollar.

• A Rocky Start: The coin was immediately unpopular due to its size and color being too similar to the Washington Quarter, causing confusion in everyday commerce.
• A Quick Design Change: Early in the production run at the Philadelphia Mint (which used the “P” mint mark), the dies used to strike the coins created a thick, wide rim. The date, “1979,” appeared very close to this rim. The Mint quickly decided to modify the design, creating a new, thinner rim. This pushed the date further away from the edge, creating the much more common “Narrow Rim” (or “Far Date”) variety.
• An Instant Rarity: Because the “Wide Rim” was only produced for a short time at the very beginning of the mintage, far fewer examples exist, making it a key transitional variety for the series.

💲 The $6,900 Treasure: A Modern Rarity

The value of this coin has climbed steadily as collectors realize how scarce it is in high grades.

• Real-World Value: The nearly $7,000 price tag is not a fantasy. In 2021, a high-grade, uncirculated example of the 1979-P Wide Rim dollar was sold on eBay for a confirmed $6,995.
• Why It’s So Valuable: The high price is driven by a perfect storm: it’s a key, one-year-only variety from the first year of a major series, and finding a perfectly preserved, uncirculated specimen that wasn’t damaged by vending machines or bank rollers is exceptionally difficult.

🔍 How to Spot the “Wide Rim” Dollar: A 2-Step Expert Guide

This is a visual test, but once you know what to look for, the difference is clear.

• Step 1: Check the Date and Mint Mark This error is specific to one issue. Pull out your Susan B. Anthony dollars and confirm the coin is dated 1979 and has a “P” mint mark for the Philadelphia mint. The mint mark is located on the front, to the left of Susan B. Anthony’s portrait.
• Step 2: Examine the Rim and Date Proximity This is the crucial step that determines the value. Look at the space between the date and the rim above it.
  • The RARE Wide Rim (Near Date): The numbers of the date “1979” will be very close to the rim. There is almost no gap between the tops of the numbers and the edge. The rim itself will look noticeably thicker and flatter than on other SBA dollars.
  • The COMMON Narrow Rim (Far Date): There is a clear, wide gap between the top of the date and the rim. You can easily fit a letter or two in that space.
  Pro Tip: Compare your 1979-P to any other SBA dollar you have (like a 1980 or 1999). The difference in the rim’s thickness and the date’s position will be much more obvious.

📊 Understanding Grades and Maximizing Value

While the nearly $7,000 price is for a top-tier, uncirculated coin (likely graded MS66 or MS67), even circulated examples of the 1979-P Wide Rim are valuable! Depending on condition, a circulated one can be worth $50 to $200 or more, making it a fantastic find in any state.

✅ What to Do If You Find the “Wide Rim” Treasure

If you have a 1979-P dollar and the date is hugging the rim, you’ve found the key variety!

1. Protect It: Even though it’s a modern coin, it’s a rare variety. Handle it by the edges and place it in a protective 2×2 holder or “coin flip.”
2. DO NOT CLEAN IT: Cleaning will leave fine scratches on the surface, ruining the original mint luster and drastically reducing its value.
3. Get it Certified: To sell the coin for its full potential value, especially if it’s in uncirculated condition, it needs to be authenticated and graded by a major grading service like PCGS or NGC. They will officially designate it as the “FS-101, Wide Rim” variety on the label.

🌏 The Global Hunt is On!

The story of the 1979-P Wide Rim dollar is a perfect example of a modern treasure hiding in plain sight. These coins were widely circulated and often confused for quarters, meaning they could have traveled anywhere in the world over the last 45+ years. Whether you’re searching through a bank box in the USA or a jar of foreign currency here in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this coin could turn up anywhere.

So, check your pockets, your drawers, and your coin jars! Do you have a Susan B. Anthony dollar with a wide rim in your collection? Let us know in the comments!