The 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar stands as a notable milestone in the history of U.S. currency. Introduced to honor the pioneering women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony, the coin marked the first time a real woman appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. Despite its symbolic importance, the dollar coin faced several challenges that prevented it from becoming widely adopted in everyday use. In this article, we will explore the history, design, public reception, and legacy of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar.
Background and Historical Context
The idea for a new dollar coin arose during the 1970s as part of a broader effort to modernise U.S. currency and reduce the reliance on paper dollar bills. The Eisenhower Dollar, minted from 1971 to 1978, was the last of the large silver-dollar coins, but its size and weight made it impractical for daily transactions. As a result, the U.S. Mint sought to introduce a smaller, more convenient dollar coin that could serve as an alternative to the bulky Eisenhower Dollar and eventually replace the one-dollar paper bill.
At the same time, the United States was experiencing a growing movement for gender equality and women’s rights, making the choice of Susan B. Anthony—a central figure in the women’s suffrage movement—a fitting candidate for the new coin. By placing her likeness on the dollar, the U.S. Mint aimed to honor her contributions to securing women’s right to vote and to symbolise the growing recognition of women’s role in American history.
Design of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The design of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was the result of a collaborative effort by the U.S. Mint, with Frank Gasparro serving as the coin’s chief engraver. Gasparro was already well-known for his previous work on the Lincoln Memorial design for the reverse of the penny and the Eisenhower Dollar.
The obverse of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar features a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, based on a 19th-century photograph. Anthony is depicted in a serious and dignified manner, reflective of her role as a fierce advocate for women’s rights. Surrounding her portrait are the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” along with the year of issue, 1979.
On the reverse side of the coin, the design mirrors that of the previous Eisenhower Dollar, with an image of an American eagle landing on the moon, clutching an olive branch in its talons. This design was a tribute to the Apollo 11 moon landing and symbolized America’s spirit of exploration and peace. The reverse also features thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen colonies, as well as the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
A notable feature of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar is its eleven-sided border, which gives the coin a distinctive appearance and tactile feel. Although the coin is round, the edge is rimmed with a dodecagonal design to help people distinguish it from other coins in circulation, particularly the quarter.
Initial Release and Public Reception
When the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was released in 1979, it was met with mixed reactions. On one hand, the introduction of a dollar coin featuring a prominent woman was seen as a historic moment for gender equality and a long-overdue tribute to Susan B. Anthony’s legacy. The choice of Anthony as the face of the new coin was widely praised, particularly by women’s rights groups and historians who recognized her pivotal role in the suffrage movement.
However, the practical aspects of the coin quickly became a source of frustration for the general public. The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was often criticized for its small size, which was almost identical to the quarter, leading to confusion among consumers and retailers. Many people found it difficult to distinguish between the two coins, particularly when handling change in cash transactions. This confusion ultimately hindered the coin’s adoption and acceptance.
Another factor that contributed to the coin’s lack of success was the continued popularity of the one-dollar bill. Despite efforts by the U.S. Mint and the Federal Reserve to promote the use of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, Americans remained attached to the paper dollar, which was lighter, more familiar, and widely preferred for everyday transactions. As a result, the new coin struggled to gain traction, and by 1981, production was largely halted due to low demand.
Variations and Minting
Though the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was minted primarily in 1979, it was also produced in 1980, 1981, and briefly in 1999. The 1981 issues were struck only for inclusion in collector sets, as demand for the coin in circulation had significantly declined. The 1999 minting occurred in response to a shortage of dollar coins in vending machines and public transportation systems, but this resurgence was short-lived, as the introduction of the Sacagawea Dollar in 2000 replaced the Susan B. Anthony Dollar in circulation.
The 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar itself is notable for several variations that appeal to coin collectors. One of the most famous variations is the “wide rim” or “near date” version, which features a rim that is closer to the date on the coin. This variation is rarer than the standard “narrow rim” version and is highly sought after by collectors. In addition to the wide rim variety, proof versions of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar were also produced for collectors, featuring a more polished and detailed finish.
Legacy and Impact
While the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was not a commercial success, its legacy as a significant step in the representation of women on U.S. currency cannot be overstated. The coin broke barriers by featuring the first real historical woman on U.S. circulating currency, opening the door for future coins that honored women’s contributions to American history.
Despite its practical shortcomings, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar remains a symbol of progress and gender equality. It paved the way for the Sacagawea Dollar, introduced in 2000, which featured a Native American woman as a tribute to another important female figure in U.S. history. In the years that followed, the U.S. Mint continued to diversify its coin designs, with more women and people of color being honored on various denominations.
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar also serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with introducing new forms of currency. Its failure to achieve widespread acceptance underscores the importance of usability and public perception in the success of new coins. The lessons learned from the Susan B. Anthony Dollar’s reception helped inform the design of future U.S. dollar coins, particularly in terms of size, weight, and tactile differences.
Conclusion
The 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar holds a unique place in U.S. currency history. Though it was not widely adopted or embraced by the public, its introduction marked a significant moment in the representation of women in American culture and history. The coin’s design, featuring the portrait of a pioneering suffragist, remains an important symbol of the progress made in gender equality.
While the Susan B. Anthony Dollar may not have achieved the practical success that its creators had hoped for, its impact as a cultural artifact endures. For collectors and historians, the coin remains a valuable piece of American numismatic history, offering insights into the complexities of currency design, public reception, and the evolving role of women in society.
