While it's true that most 1979 dollar coins you find in circulation are worth only their face value of one dollar, you shouldn't dismiss them just yet. That coin in your hand could be a hidden gem, as its true value depends on a few key details that separate common currency from a valuable collector's piece.
The coin in question is the Susan B. Anthony dollar. Hundreds of millions were minted in 1979 at the Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints. For a standard, circulated coin from any of these mints, the value is simply a dollar. Even in pristine, uncirculated condition, a common 1979 dollar might only be worth a few dollars. The real excitement, and a significant jump in value, comes from a specific and rare variety.
What you need to look for is the 1979-P "Wide Rim" variety, sometimes called the "Near Date" variety. On a standard coin, there is a noticeable gap between the year "1979" and the thick rim of the coin. On the rare "Wide Rim" variety, the date is positioned much closer to the rim, almost touching it. This error makes the coin highly sought after by collectors, and its value can range from around $20 in circulated condition to over $100 for a top-quality uncirculated example.
So, before you spend that 1979 dollar, take a moment to examine it closely. Check the mint mark, located to the left of Susan B. Anthony's portrait. If it's a "P" (or has no mint mark, which also signifies Philadelphia), carefully inspect the distance between the date and the rim. You just might be holding a valuable piece of numismatic history worth many times its face value.
