1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar Mint Mark Location
The 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar is a popular coin among collectors and numismatists alike. It was the first small-sized dollar coin minted in the United States and was named after the famous women's rights activist, Susan B Anthony. The coin was first introduced in 1979 and was minted until 1981, with a final production run in 1999. One of the most interesting aspects of the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar is the mint mark location, which can have a significant impact on the coin's value.
What is a Mint Mark?
A mint mark is a small letter or symbol that identifies the mint that produced a coin. It is typically found on the reverse side of a coin, near the bottom. Mint marks are important because they can affect the value of a coin. For example, coins minted at certain mints may be rarer than others, making them more valuable to collectors.
The Different Mint Mark Locations
There are three different mint mark locations for the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar. The mint mark can be found on the obverse, or front, of the coin, near the bottom. It can also be found on the reverse, or back, of the coin, near the rim, or it can be completely absent. The mint mark on the obverse is the most common, while the mint mark on the reverse is the rarest. The absence of a mint mark is also rare, and only occurred in 1981.
The Obverse Mint Mark
The most common mint mark location for the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar is on the obverse, near the bottom of the coin. This mint mark indicates which mint produced the coin. There were three different mints that produced the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Philadelphia mint mark is a "P," the Denver mint mark is a "D," and the San Francisco mint mark is an "S."
The Reverse Mint Mark
The reverse mint mark is located near the rim of the coin, on the left-hand side. This mint mark is much rarer than the obverse mint mark, as it was only used for a limited number of coins. The reverse mint mark was used for proof coins that were produced at the San Francisco Mint.
The Absence of a Mint Mark
In 1981, the United States Mint produced a limited number of Susan B Anthony Dollars without a mint mark. This was a mistake, as all coins produced by the United States Mint should have a mint mark to indicate which mint produced the coin. The absence of a mint mark makes these coins rare and valuable to collectors.
The Impact on Value
The mint mark location can have a significant impact on the value of a 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar. Coins with the rare reverse mint mark are the most valuable, followed by coins without a mint mark. Coins with the common obverse mint mark are the least valuable. The value of a coin can also be affected by its condition, rarity, and historical significance.
Conclusion
The 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar is a popular coin among collectors and numismatists alike. The mint mark location can have a significant impact on the coin's value, with coins featuring the rare reverse mint mark or no mint mark at all being the most valuable. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting out, the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar is a must-have coin for any collection.