Small but Mighty: The Legacy of the 1981 Susan B. Anthony Coin

The Susan B Anthony coin 1981 is an amazing example of how small coins can hold great historical and cultural significance. As the first coin in the United States to depict a real woman, the coin came to symbolize the struggle for equal rights and a reminder of the importance for change achieved due to people like Susan B. Anthony. However, the coin has also attracted attention for its rarity and controversial reaction from the public. 

So here we will discuss in detail its history, characteristics, identifying coins and their values, and the legacy it has left in the world of numismatics.

Revolutionary One: How Susan B. Anthony Coin Appeared

1981 Susan B Anthony coin is a dollar coin dedicated to prominent American feminist and women's rights activist Susan Brownell Anthony. The coin first saw the light of day in 1979, as in the late 70's the government was puzzled by the introduction of a more convenient and practical (smaller) dollar coin than the Eisenhower dollar.

Thus, in 1979 a coin with the image of Susan B. Anthony - activist, prominent American feminist and fighter for women's rights and equality Susan Brownell Anthony saw the light of day. The 1981 dollar coin was part of a series that began in 1979 and was a significant event, as up to that time all the images on the coins were either allegorical or represented famous men.

The decision to put her portrait on the coin was a symbol of change and a recognition of the importance of women's participation in public life. The idea of creating a new dollar was a good one, however it caused mixed feelings among the population.

Public Response

The idea of issuing the coin was to solve the problem of inconvenient circulation of coins, but the reality turned out to be different. Though the coin was important, it was not well received by the public. The main problem was its external similarity to the quarter (25-cent coin) and, consequently, the confusion of the coins in size and color. The same color and roughly similar size caused mix-ups in stores and on public transportation - people often mistook the Susan B. Anthony dollar for a quarter.

From the point of view of symbolism, the idea of immortalizing the figure of Susan B. Anthony on the dollar was highly appreciated, but the coin itself was not widely accepted in circulation. Thus, already in 1981 the minting of these coins was suspended and the 1981 one dollar coin became available only in numismatic sets. Only in 1999 (much after the Kennedy Half Dollar issue) it was resumed again to fill the shortage of one dollar coins.

Coin Features and Characteristics

1981 Susan B Anthony dollar, although produced in limited quantities, retained all the main characteristics of its predecessors:

Design

The obverse (front side) of the coin depicts Susan B. Anthony looking sternly forward, symbolizing her tireless fight for equality. The obverse of the coin is enclosed in a 11-sided polygon (a reference to the Apollo 11 mission to which the reverse of the coin is dedicated). The profile of Susan B. Anthony is surrounded by 13 stars and the inscription “Liberty”, which emphasizes her contribution to the struggle for human rights, to the right is the inscription - “IN GOD WE TRUST”, at the bottom - the year of issue of the coin. Also on the obverse of the coin are engraver's initials “FG” and to the left of them the mint mark (“P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco).

The reverse (back side) of the coin features an eagle (white-headed orleans, symbol of the States) soaring over the surface of the Moon.  The eagle holds an olive branch (symbol of peace) in its talons and is preparing to land on the Moon. In the background, the Earth can be seen behind the eagle.  This design was borrowed from the Eisenhower dollar and represents the success of the Apollo 11 mission when an American astronaut first set foot on the moon in 1969. The reverse, like the obverse of the coin, is enclosed in a polygon of 11 faces. On the reverse at the top is placed the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, under it smaller “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and at the bottom of the coin is the denomination - “ONE DOLLAR”. The eagle is also surrounded by 13 stars according to the number of the first states.

Mintage and Value:  Why 1981 One Dollar Coin Is Rare?

Although the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was issued from 1979 to 1981, the mintage of the latter year was the most limited, making it the rarest in the series. Accordingly, this 1981 Susan B Anthony dollar coin value is higher compared with others.

At the same time, the 1981 coins were not intended for mass circulation, but were produced only in Proof and Uncirculated sets (i.e. minted exclusively for collectors and numismatists). Here is the mintage data:

Investment Appeal of the Coin

The 1981 Susan B. Anthony coin has gained investment value over time due to its limited mintage and historical significance. It attracts the attention of collectors, especially if it is in excellent condition or is a Proof version issued by the San Francisco Mint.

1981 Susan B Anthony coin value depends on its condition and type (regular or proof). 1981 susan b anthony dollar value (assuming the coin is in good condition) can reach several tens of dollars, and proof coins in rare cases up to several hundred dollars.

The coin attracts the attention of collectors and investors, especially if it is in excellent condition or is a Proof version (i.e. 1981 S Susan B Anthony dollar value is higher since the coin has Proof grade and issued especially for collectors in San Francisco).

Related article: Wartime Coins. 

The Role of Errors

Despite their small mintage, the 1981 Susan B. Anthony coins are not perfect exceptions and have some minting errors that make them even more attractive to collectors. Some of the most famous errors include coins with double strikes or improper die placement.

These rare specimens can be worth hundreds of dollars at auction. For example, known minting errors on 1981 coins can increase their value by up to $200-300, depending on the condition of the coin and the rarity of the error itself.

Big Story of a Small Collectible

The 1981 Susan B. Anthony coin (despite initial difficulties and confusion, its small size and unpopularity) left a significant legacy - becoming a symbol of the struggle for women's rights and recognizing women's contributions to public life. Its historic and cultural role still attracts the attention of collectors today. If you are also interested in coin collecting and want to know more but spend less time, the modern tool - Coin ID Scanner app is perfect for you. Easily find out the price and value and go deep into numismatics easily. Let your passion bring you a lot of fun and knowledge.

 Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony_dollar

2. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/circulating-coins/susan-b-anthony-dollar