That's a fantastic question, as it gets to the heart of a very common misunderstanding about this particular coin. The crucial first thing to know is that there is no official 1979 silver dollar coin. The dollar coin minted in 1979 is the Susan B. Anthony dollar, which is made of a copper-nickel clad, not silver. This is why you won't find its value tied to the price of precious metals.
For the vast majority of 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars you might find in pocket change or in a drawer, the value is simply their face value: one dollar. They were produced in massive quantities and didn't circulate well, so they remain very common. Even a standard, uncirculated coin that has been preserved in mint condition is only worth a few dollars to a collector.
However, this is where you'll want to pay close attention, because there is one specific version that is a genuine prize for collectors. You need to check for the 1979 "Wide Rim" or "Near Date" variety from the Philadelphia mint (it will have a "P" mint mark). On this rare version, the date on the front of the coin is much closer to the rim than on the common version. This error makes it significantly more valuable. While a regular 1979 dollar is worth $1, a high-quality "Wide Rim" variety can be worth up to $20 or more.
So, while your 1979 dollar is not made of silver, it's absolutely worth taking a moment to inspect the rim and the date. You could be holding the one that collectors are actively searching for.
