A common point of confusion regarding the 1979 dollar coin is its composition. The 1979 dollar, which features women's suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony, is not made of silver. It is a copper-nickel clad coin, meaning it has a pure copper core with an outer layer of a copper and nickel alloy. The coin is often referred to as a "Liberty" dollar because the obverse depicts an image of Liberty, as personified by Susan B. Anthony.
For the vast majority of these coins found in circulation, their value is simply their face value of one dollar. A standard 1979 dollar from the Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), or San Francisco (S) mints that shows signs of wear from being used in commerce is typically worth only its stated monetary value.
The value can increase if the coin is in uncirculated, pristine condition. An uncirculated 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar might be worth between $2 and $10, depending on its specific grade and overall eye appeal. Additionally, the San Francisco mint produced special "proof" versions for collectors. These 1979-S proof coins, which have a mirror-like finish, are generally valued higher, often in the range of $5 to $15.
There is one notable and valuable variety to look for: the 1979-P "Wide Rim" or "Near Date" dollar. On this error coin, the date is much closer to the rim than on the standard version. This variety is considerably rarer and more sought after by collectors. A circulated 1979-P Wide Rim coin can be worth around $10 to $20, while an uncirculated example can command $40 or more. Therefore, while most 1979 dollars are worth face value, it is worth checking any coin with a "P" mint mark for this specific variety.
