
The iconic 1979 dollar coin features a truly pivotal figure in American history: Susan B. Anthony. This was a landmark moment for U.S. currency, as it marked the very first time a real woman, rather than a mythical figure like Lady Liberty, was honored on a circulating coin. It stands as a powerful and lasting tribute to her legacy as a formidable leader in the women's suffrage movement, celebrating her fight for equality.
It's a fascinating piece of history, and while many people refer to it as the "silver dollar" out of habit from the larger dollar coins of the past, the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar is actually made of a copper-nickel clad composition. It was introduced to replace the much larger Eisenhower dollar, with the hope that a smaller, more convenient dollar coin would circulate more widely.
So, when you see a 1979 dollar, you're looking at a coin that not only honors the incredible Susan B. Anthony but also represents a unique chapter in the story of American money. The image on the back, an eagle landing on the moon, is the same one used on the Eisenhower dollar it replaced, beautifully connecting a tribute to social progress with a celebration of scientific achievement.


