1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar: A Coin's Unexpected Comeback

The historical significance and value of the final edition of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar series

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:20pm

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The 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar was an unexpected revival of a coin series that had been discontinued nearly two decades earlier. Born out of a temporary shortage of dollar coins, this edition marked a unique moment in American numismatic history as the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a real woman, Susan B. Anthony. Despite its substantial production run, the 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar continues to attract collector interest due to its historical significance.

Why it matters

The 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar represents a landmark achievement as the first U.S. circulating coin to depict a real woman. Its revival in 1999 also highlights the practical needs of the economy and the coin's role in paving the way for subsequent dollar coin designs like the Sacagawea Dollar. The coin's historical significance and collector appeal make it an interesting piece of American numismatic history.

The details

The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was first launched in 1979, aiming to replace the larger Eisenhower Dollar with a smaller, more convenient coin. However, its similarity in size and color to the quarter led to widespread confusion and limited circulation, leading to production ceasing in 1981. By the late 1990s, a shortage of dollar coins arose, prompting the U.S. Mint to temporarily revive the Susan B. Anthony design, resulting in the 1999-P edition. This coin shares the same physical characteristics as previous editions, including its composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, a diameter of 26.5 mm, and a weight of 8.1 grams.

  • The Susan B. Anthony Dollar was first launched in 1979.
  • Production of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar ceased in 1981.
  • By the late 1990s, a shortage of dollar coins arose, leading to the temporary revival of the Susan B. Anthony design in 1999.

The players

Susan B. Anthony

A women's rights pioneer whose portrait was featured on the first U.S. circulating coin to depict a real woman.

Frank Gasparro

The designer of both the obverse and reverse of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar.

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What they’re saying

“The Susan B. Anthony Dollar series, and the 1999-P edition in particular, represents a significant moment in U.S. Coinage. It was the first to honor a woman, and its revival in 1999 highlights the practical needs of the economy.”

— Samantha Carter, Chief Editor (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

While the 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar is not considered rare due to its high mintage, coins in uncirculated condition with minimal wear are highly sought after by collectors.

The takeaway

The 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a unique piece of American numismatic history, marking the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a real woman and highlighting the practical needs of the economy. Its historical significance and collector appeal make it an intriguing coin for both casual observers and dedicated numismatists.