By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was intended to be a circulating dollar coin that would be accepted widely by the American public due to its small size. In hindsight, the folly of issuing a copper-nickel-clad dollar that’s only slightly larger than a quarter seems obvious, but the Susan B. Anthony Dollar’s design was a slurry of compromises, shortcuts, and sops to special interests.
Within months, Congress was eager to distance itself from the failure the coin had turned out to be. At the same time, the United States Mint continued to produce the new dollar. After a robust coinage of 750 million pieces in 1979, production slowed to just under 90 million coins in 1980. That year, the San Francisco Mint produced two versions of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar: one for circulation and one for inclusion in the 1980 United States Proof Set.
The 1980 United States Proof Set is a six-coin set that features the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar alongside the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof, the 1980-S Jefferson Nickel Proof, the 1980-S Roosevelt Dime Proof, the 1980-S Washington Quarter Proof, and the 1980-S Kennedy Half Dollar Proof. These sets contain $1.91 in coins but were sold for $10 ($40.57 in 2024 inflation-adjusted money). The Mint sold 3,554,806.
The two S-mint dollars are easily distinguishable. Business strikes in uncirculated condition typically exhibit die flow lines and have a lustrous finish and uniform appearance. On Proofs, the rims and reeds are sharper, the raised details are frosted, and the fields are polished to a deep mirror finish.
The Proof version was not released into circulation, although it is not uncommon for collectors to break up Proof sets to sell the coins individually or to mount them in coin albums. Once this happens, there is an increased chance that a Proof striking might end up in circulation, if the album or collection is broken up. In circulation, these coins come into contact with other coins and contaminants, at which point the coin is considered an Impaired Proof. Impaired Proofs carry no meaningful value over face value, but are interesting.
How Much Is a 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proof Worth?
Despite originally selling for $10 ($40.57 in inflation-adjusted money), 1980 United States Proof Sets have lost more than 75% of their value when adjusting for inflation and trade in December 2024 for about $9-$10. As a single coin, the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Proof routinely trades for about $5 raw, and under $10 in Proof 69. All 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proofs, by the nature of their production, should qualify for Deep Cameo or Ultra Cameo designations.
“Perfect” Proof 70 coins are readily available in NGC and PCGS holders, and may soon become available from CAC. Under low magnification, a Proof 70 coin should be perfect as struck with no post-strike damage. It is possible for some 70s to look better than others, as the grade in practice offers a very narrow definition of perfection.
The most common venue for selling raw and certified 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollars is eBay. Coins in all grades are frequently offered there so a collector doesn’t need to overpay for coins offered in high “Buy It Now” listings. These listings may offer Proof 70 Deep Cameo coins for $150, while true auctions of coins in similar grades conclude at $25 or $30. Be patient.
Also, Beware of eBay sellers offering uncertified artificially toned coins. These coins are numismatically worthless.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
eBay seller Sirius Sports Cards is a market maker for low-cost modern certified coins. Dozens of 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar PCGS PR70DCAM Proofs are from his listings. In our November-December data set, this seller reused an image for cert #27621849.
Top Population: PCGS MS67 (141, 12/2024) and NGC MS68 (4, 12/2024), and CAC MS64 (1, 12/2024).
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, December 1, 2024 – $26. Six bids. Stock photo.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 29, 2024 – $29. Eight bids. Stock photo.
- NGC PF70UCAM #6309448-081: eBay, November 27, 2024 – $27.99. Buy it Now.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 27, 2024 – $28.09. 12 bids. Stock photo.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 23, 2024 – $30. 13 bids. Stock photo.
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Design
Obverse:
The obverse of the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proof displays a right-facing portrait of suffragette Susan B. Anthony in a high-necked blouse or shirtwaist, her hair pulled back into a bun. Designer Frank Gasparro’s initials FG appear just below Anthony’s left shoulder. The rim consists of smooth but angular line segments that frame an 11-sided polygon (an undecagon or hendecagon). The word LIBERTY is at the top and the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST in small letters is to the right of Anthony’s chin. Thirteen five-pointed stars circle the inside of the rim, seven to the left and six to the right; those on the right are split into two three-star groups by the motto. A small S mintmark is located just above Anthony’s right shoulder and the date 1980 is directly below her bust.
Reverse:
The reverse features yet another take on the Michael Collins-designed mission patch of Apollo 11 – a mission that included mankind’s first steps on the surface of another planetary body (the Moon). The 11-sided rim is repeated, framing a left-facing eagle with wings spread as if landing on the cratered surface of the Moon pictured on the bottom third of the coin. The eagle is clutching an olive branch. Planet Earth appears above and to the left of the eagle’s head, with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just to the right at top center. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles nearly the top half of the rim against the darkness of space, and ONE DOLLAR is at the bottom over the lunar landscape. Thirteen five-pointed stars form an arc around the eagle, below the top legend but above the earth and motto. United States Mint Chief Engraver Gasparro’s initials FG are also on the reverse, below the eagle’s tail feathers.
Edge:
The edge of the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proof is reeded, as are all other issues of the type.
Designer
One of the most prolific American coin designers of the 20th century, Frank Gasparro served as a junior assistant engraver under John R. Sinnock and later as the 10th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. Besides the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, Gasparro’s most famous coin designs include the Memorial reverse of the Lincoln Cent and the reverse of the Kennedy Half Dollar, as well as both sides of the Eisenhower Dollar.
1980-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proof Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 1980 |
| Denomination: | One Dollar (USD) |
| Mintmark: | S (San Francisco) |
| Mintage: | 3,554,806 |
| Alloy: | Outer layers of .750 Copper, .250 Nickel over a pure copper center |
| Weight: | 8.1 g |
| Diameter: | 26.5 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | Frank Gasparro |
| REV Designer: | Frank Gasparro | Michael Collins |
| Quality: | Proof |
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Sources
Greene – https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-01-11-8803210571-story.html
Reiter – https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/11/arts/numismatics-what-will-become-of-those-anthony-dollars.html
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