The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin has a special place in American history. It was the first time the U.S. Mint put a real woman from history on a coin that folks used every day. Susan B. Anthony was a fighter for women’s rights back in the 1800s. She worked hard so women could vote and have more say in things. The coin came out in 1979 to replace the big Eisenhower dollar, but it looked too much like a quarter. People got mixed up and didn’t like using it much. By 1981, the Mint stopped making them for a while. Then, in 1999, they brought it back one last time. That’s when the 1999 P version from Philadelphia got made. Today, coin collectors are talking about it again because some of these dollars can be worth a lot more than just one buck.
A Quick Look at Its Past
Back in the late 1970s, the government wanted a smaller dollar coin that machines like vending ones could take easy. The old dollars were too big and heavy. So, they picked Susan B. Anthony to honor her work. The design shows her face on one side and an eagle landing on the moon on the other, like the Apollo missions. But the coin’s size and color made it tricky. Folks often thought it was a quarter and didn’t want to carry it around. The Mint made millions, but most sat in banks. By the 1990s, with more machines needing dollar coins, they ran low on stock. That’s why in 1999, they cranked out more Susan B. Anthony dollars to hold things over until the new Sacagawea dollar came in 2000. The Philadelphia Mint, marked with a P, produced about 29 million of them for regular use, plus some proofs for collectors.
Why the 1999 Version Stands Out
The 1999 P Susan B. Anthony dollar is the last one ever made in this series. That alone makes it interesting to folks who collect coins. Most of these coins are still worth just a little over face value if they’re worn from use. But if you find one in top shape, like never touched much, it can fetch more. The Mint made them because post offices and transit spots needed dollar coins for their machines. Without this last run, there might have been a shortage. Today, with people digging through old change or family stashes, the 1999 P is popping up as a fun find. It’s not super rare, but its story ties into bigger changes in U.S. money, like switching to golden-colored dollars later on.
Market Values and What to Expect
Right now, a regular 1999 P Susan B. Anthony dollar in okay shape goes for about $1 to $2. If it’s in mint state, meaning shiny and new-looking, you might get $4 or more. Proof versions, which are special shiny ones for collectors, had a low run of just 750,000. Those can sell for $10 to $20 easy. But the real money comes from errors. Some coins got struck on the wrong metal blank, like for the Sacagawea dollar. One of those sold for over $16,000 at auction. High-grade ones certified by experts can hit hundreds. Here’s a simple table showing basic values:
| Condition | Average Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated | $1.05 – $1.35 |
| Uncirculated | $4 – $10 |
| Proof | $10 – $20 |
| Error Varieties | $100 – $16,000+ |
Spotting the Valuable Ones
To tell if your 1999 P Susan B. Anthony dollar is worth something big, look close. Check for the P mark under the date on the left side. Feel the edges; it should have reeds like a quarter. Errors are key: if it’s golden instead of silver-colored, that might be a Sacagawea blank mistake. Or if the design looks off-center or doubled. Get it checked by a pro grader like PCGS or NGC. They give scores that boost the price. Common ones are easy to find online or at coin shops, but rare errors show up in auctions now and then. Stories pop up of people finding them in rolls from the bank.
Tips for Collectors Starting Out
If you’re new to this, start by checking your pocket change or ask family if they have old coins tucked away. Join online groups where folks share pics and values. Buy a basic guide book on U.S. coins to learn more. Remember, most 1999 P dollars aren’t going to make you rich overnight, but hunting for them is half the fun. Store them in holders to keep them nice. Watch for fakes too; real ones feel right and have sharp details. With coin prices going up lately, this little dollar from 1999 could be a smart pick for your collection. Who knows, you might have a hidden gem worth thousands sitting in a drawer right now.