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This first of the mini-dollars was introduced
in 1979 and was intended to honor Susan B. Anthony, the famed
women's right advocate. Both the obverse and the reverse were
designed by Frank Gasparro, Chief Engraver of the U. S. Mint
at the time. The obverse features the bust of Susan B. while
the reverse features an eagle landing on the moon, the same reverse
used on the Eisenhower dollar.
This was the first U. S. coin to feature the likeness
of an actual woman other than a model or mythical figure. Mintmarks
P, D, & S appear on the obverse above SBA's right shoulder.
The coin is composed of an outer layer of copper-nickel bonded
to a core of pure copper. Coins were minted for circulation at
all three mints in 1979 and 1980. The size of this coin caused
it to be confused with the quarter and half dollar and it failed
to gain widespread public acceptance. In 1981, coins were produced
for inclusion in U. S. Mint uncirculated and proof coin sets
only with none produced for circulation. The design was reused
in 1999 to meet the needs of the vending machine industry until
the Sacagawea dollar coins could be minted. Proof coins were
manufactured at the San Francisco mint 1979-1981 and at the Philadelphia
Mint in 1999.
The obverse design was modified in 1979 to widen
the border rim resulting in what are known as "wide rim"
and "narrow rim" varieties. The wide rim is the scarcer
of the two. In 1979, the "S" proof mintmark punch was
replaced resulting in "Filled S" (Type I) and "Clear
S" (Type II) varieties of 1979 proof SBAs The mintmark punch
was replaced again in 1981 resulting in a "First S (Type
I-rounded) and "Clear S (Type II-flat) proof versions. In
both cases, the Type II proof versions are the rarer. The 1979
proof varieties are easily distinguished, but the 1981s are difficult.
A collector would be wise to purchase only certified examples
of the 1981-S, Proof, Clear S variety.
All of our SBA dollars are in Uncirculated or Proof
condition and mailed in 2X2 mylar holders except the 1999 P Proof
which comes in the original box of issue from the mint.
Shipping and insurance charges are added on at
checkout and are based on the total amount of your order from
our website (see chart below).
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