Getting Close: How to Spot the 1979 Near Date Susan B. Anthony

The Small Dollar with a Big Secret: Spotting the Near Date Susan B. Anthony

The near date Susan B. Anthony dollar is one of the most sought-after varieties in Susan B. Anthony dollars in modern U.S. coinage — and one of the easiest to miss if you don't know what to look for.

Here's the quick answer:

How to identify a Near Date Susan B. Anthony dollar:

• Mint mark: Philadelphia (P) mint only — 1979-P coins exclusively
• Rim width: The rim is noticeably thicker than the standard issue
• Date proximity: The "1979" date sits very close to the rim — roughly the width of the numeral "1" away
• Die type: Catalogued as FS-301, also called the Wide Rim variety
• Year: Only the 1979-P issue carries this variety (plus a disputed 1980-D — more on that below)

This variety was created when the Philadelphia Mint modified its obverse die late in 1979, widening the rim. The date didn't actually move on the die — the wider rim simply made it look closer. It's a subtle difference, but it separates a $5 coin from one worth well over $100 in the right grade.

Out of more than 360 million 1979-P Susan B. Anthony dollars struck, only an estimated 20,000 Wide Rim examples survive — roughly half in mint state condition.

That scarcity, combined with the coin's low profile among casual collectors, makes it one of the best hidden gems in a complete SBA dollar collection.

What is a Near Date Susan B. Anthony Dollar?

When we talk about the Near Date Susan B. Anthony, we are specifically referring to a design modification that occurred at the Philadelphia Mint during the coin's inaugural year of 1979. In numismatics, this variety is more technically known as the "Wide Rim."

To understand why this coin exists, we have to look at the somewhat turbulent history of the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar. Released in July 1979, the coin was intended to replace the bulky Eisenhower dollar. It was the first time a non-fictional woman appeared on a circulating U.S. coin, honoring the legendary suffragist Susan B. Anthony (1820 to 1906). However, the public's reaction was less than enthusiastic.

The coin was quickly derided as the "Carter Quarter" or "Susan B. Agony." Because its diameter (26.5 mm) was only slightly larger than a Washington quarter (24.3 mm) and it shared the same copper-nickel clad color, people constantly confused the two in their pockets. In an attempt to make the dollar more distinct and visually "heavier," the Mint modified the obverse die late in 1979. They widened the rim, which had the side effect of making the date and stars appear much closer to the edge.

This "Wide Rim" or Near date Susan B Anthony was a mid-year design modification. While the "Narrow Rim" (Far Date) version accounts for the vast majority of the 360 million coins struck in Philadelphia that year, the Wide Rim version was produced in much smaller quantities. It represents a fascinating moment where the Mint tried to "fix" a design that the public simply wasn't buying. You can explore more about these historical dollar coins to see the evolution of the design.

Identifying the 1979-P Near Date Variety

Identifying a near date Susan B Anthony isn't about looking for a different font or a moved date. In fact, technical die studies show that the date wasn't actually relocated on the die itself. Instead, the border was expanded inward.

The easiest way for us to spot the difference is to look at the "1" in the date 1979. On a standard "Narrow Rim" coin, there is a clear, wide gap between the bottom of the "1" and the inner edge of the rim. On the near date Susan B Anthony, that gap is almost non-existent. The distance is roughly equal to the width of the vertical bar of the numeral "1."

How to Spot a Genuine 1979 Near date Susan B Anthony

When you are hunting through rolls or looking at loose change, keep these specific visual markers in mind:

1. Check the Mint Mark: The legitimate Wide Rim variety is only confirmed for the Philadelphia Mint in 1979. Look for the "P" mint mark above the shoulder of Susan B. Anthony. While Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) struck millions of coins, they used the Narrow Rim design for their standard circulation strikes.
2. The "Eleven-Sided" Border: The SBA dollar features a unique eleven-sided inner border (resembling a hendecagon). On the near date Susan B Anthony, the points of this inner border almost touch the rim, and the rim itself looks thick and heavy.
3. The Date Test: Look at the "9" at the end of the date. On a Wide Rim, the bottom of the "9" is extremely close to the border. On a Narrow Rim, it looks like it has plenty of "breathing room."
4. The FS-301 Attribution: If you are buying a professionally graded coin, look for the "FS-301" designation. This is the Cherrypickers' Guide variety number specifically for the 1979-P Wide Rim, a key piece for any Susan B. Anthony collection.

The Rare 1980-D Near Date Wide Rim Mystery

While the 1979-P is the "textbook" example of this variety, the numismatic community has been buzzing about a potential 1980-D near date Susan B Anthony. For a long time, it was believed that the Wide Rim design was only used in Philadelphia in 1979. However, certain examples have surfaced from the Denver Mint in 1980 that appear to share these Wide Rim characteristics.

These coins are often described as "very rare" or even experimental. In April 2026, we've seen listings on sites like eBay where a circulated 1980-D Near Date, Wide Rim coin was priced at $399.99. These often come from "treasure hunters" who find them in old storage units or inherited collections.

However, a word of caution for our fellow collectors: because the 1980-D Wide Rim is not as widely recognized by all major grading services as a standard variety, you must be careful. Some coins may appear to have a wide rim due to "die deterioration" or "mechanical doubling," which can flatten the rim and make it look wider than it actually is.

If you're interested in adding these later years to your collection, you can Shop Susan B. Anthony Dollars at US State Quarters to find verified examples of the series.

Is the 1980-D Near date Susan B Anthony Worth the Investment?

Is a $400 price tag for a 1980-D Near Date a fair deal? It depends on your risk tolerance. Because this variety is not "officially" part of the standard Red Book set for most collectors, its value is driven by a smaller niche of variety hunters.

If the coin is uncertified (meaning it hasn't been graded by PCGS or NGC), the risk is much higher. A genuine, high-grade 1979-P Wide Rim is a proven investment with decades of auction data. A 1980-D Wide Rim is more of a "speculative" piece. If you find one in the wild for face value, you've hit the jackpot! But if you're paying hundreds of dollars, ensure you have a return policy or that the coin comes from a reputable source.

Market Value and Grading for the Near date Susan B Anthony

The value of a near date Susan B Anthony varies wildly based on its condition. Because these coins were released into general circulation, many of them are heavily worn. A circulated 1979-P Wide Rim might only fetch $5 to $20. However, once you move into "Mint State" (uncirculated) grades, the prices skyrocket.

According to auction records at GreatCollections, the 1979-P Wide Rim (FS-301) has appeared in auctions over 360 times, showing a robust market. Collectors are particularly hungry for "high-grade" examples. For instance, a 1979-P Wide Rim in MS-65 condition can easily sell for over $50. If you are lucky enough to find or own an MS-67 example, you're looking at a coin worth thousands.

In fact, a PCGS MS-67 example once set a record price of $4,406 at auction. As of April 2026, high-grade survivors are becoming harder to find, as most of the original "hoards" have already been searched by eagle-eyed collectors.

For more details on the pricing of other years, check out more info about Susan B. Anthony Dollars.

Professional Grading Standards

If you think you've found a near date Susan B Anthony, we highly recommend getting it professionally graded by PCGS or NGC. These services will not only verify that the coin is genuine (and not a clever alteration) but will also attribute the variety on the holder.

• Population Reports: PCGS reports show that while millions of SBA dollars exist, only about 20,000 of the 1979-P Wide Rim variety are estimated to survive in all grades.
• MS-67+ Rarity: Finding a Wide Rim in MS-67 or higher is incredibly difficult. Most were tossed into canvas bags at the Mint, leading to "bag marks" and scratches that lower the grade.
• The FS-301 Label: Having that "FS-301" or "Wide Rim" label on the slab is essential for realizing the full market value when it comes time to sell.

Frequently Asked Questions about Near Date Dollars

Why is the 1979-P Wide Rim called a Near Date?

It's called a "Near Date" because the widening of the rim reduces the physical space between the edge of the coin and the "1979" numbers. To the naked eye, the date looks like it is "hugging" the rim. In contrast, the standard "Narrow Rim" has a "Far Date" appearance.

How many 1979 Near Date dollars are still in circulation?

While it's technically possible to find one in a roll of dollar coins from the bank, it is very unlikely in 2026. Most have been pulled out by collectors over the last 45 years. However, because many people don't know the difference between the Wide and Narrow rim, they still occasionally turn up in "bulk" lots or estate coin collections.

What is the difference between a Near Date and a Far Date?

The difference lies entirely in the thickness of the rim.

• Near Date (Wide Rim): Thick rim, date is close to the edge.
• Far Date (Narrow Rim): Thin rim, date has a wide gap between it and the edge. This change only happened at the Philadelphia Mint (P) in 1979.

Conclusion

The near date Susan B Anthony remains a favorite among collectors because it represents a "fix" for a coin that was famously unpopular. While the public may have rejected the SBA dollar in the 1980s, today's collectors appreciate the variety and the history it represents. Whether you are looking for the common 1979-P Wide Rim or hunting for the mysterious 1980-D version, these coins offer a tangible link to a unique era in U.S. Mint history.

At USSQ (Coins Online LLC), we’ve been helping collectors find these hidden gems since 1999. Whether you're looking for a high-grade slabbed variety or just want to fill a hole in your album, we offer competitive prices and low shipping within the US and Canada.

Ready to add this iconic variety to your collection? Shop Susan B. Anthony Dollars at US State Quarters today and see what treasures you can find!