1979-P Sba $1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The 1979-P Sba $1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a coin that was minted by the United States Mint in 1979. It was the first time that a woman had been featured on a circulating US coin. The coin features Susan B. Anthony, a prominent woman's rights activist and suffragette, on the obverse side. The reverse side of the coin features an eagle landing on the moon, a reference to the Apollo 11 moon landing that took place in 1969.
The Design of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The design of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was created by Frank Gasparro, who was the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint at the time. The obverse side of the coin features a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, with the inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" above her head. The date is located on the right side of the coin.
The reverse side of the coin features an eagle landing on the moon, with the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DOLLAR" surrounding it. The mint mark, "P" for Philadelphia, is located below the eagle's talons.
The Release of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was first released on July 2, 1979, in a ceremony at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The coin was also released in Denver and San Francisco later that year. The coin was intended to replace the Eisenhower Dollar, which was not popular with the public due to its large size and weight.
Despite the new design and smaller size, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was not well-received by the public. Many people mistook the coin for a quarter due to its similar size and color. Additionally, vending machines and other coin-operated devices did not accept the coin, leading to further frustration among the public.
The Legacy of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
Despite its initial lack of popularity, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar has become a collector's item in recent years. The coin is highly sought-after by collectors, particularly those who collect coins featuring women or those interested in the history of the women's rights movement.
In addition, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar has paved the way for other coins featuring women. In 2000, the United States Mint released the Sacagawea Dollar, which features a portrait of the Shoshone woman who helped guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition. More recently, the United States Mint has released coins featuring women such as Native American civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich and astronaut Sally Ride.
Conclusion
The 1979-P Sba $1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a coin that has had a complicated history. Despite its initial lack of popularity, the coin has become a collector's item and an important part of American history. The coin's design featuring Susan B. Anthony paved the way for other coins featuring women, and continues to inspire people today.