Ah, the great white whale of pocket change, the 1979 Liberty silver dollar! Let's clear up a couple of things before you rush off to book a yacht. First, the portrait on that dollar isn't Lady Liberty, but the equally formidable Susan B. Anthony. Second, and this is the real kicker, it isn't silver. The U.S. Mint, in its infinite wisdom, made these coins from a copper-nickel blend, the same stuff as quarters and dimes. This is why they were famously confused for quarters, much to the chagrin of vending machine owners everywhere.
So, what's it worth? For the overwhelming majority of the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars clinking around in old cookie jars, they are worth exactly one dollar. You can trade it for precisely one item at the dollar store, which feels poetic. Its primary value is its ability to buy something that costs a buck.
However, don't give up all hope. There is a small, glimmering chance you have a special one. Coin collectors get excited about a specific error variety from the Philadelphia mint known as the "Wide Rim" or "Near Date." On this version, the rim is thicker and the date is much closer to it than on the common coin. If you have one of these rare birds in uncirculated condition, it could fetch anywhere from $20 to $40. So, while you probably aren't sitting on a retirement fund, it's worth taking a closer look. For everyone else, you're the proud owner of one slightly unpopular, but perfectly spendable, dollar.
