How to Collect Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea Dollar Coins

This is the first of two articles on collecting U.S. one dollar coins. Included here are Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollars and the Sacagawea (SCG) dollars. Both were issued with the intention of replacing dollar bills and facilitating the vending machine industry. Good intentions did not succeed, as the public would not accept either coin. The SBA dollar (1979, 1980, 1981 and 1999) was designed by Frank Gasparro and became confused with the Washington quarter. The gold-colored SCG dollar was designed by Glenna Goodacre (obverse), and Thomas Rogers (reverse). The acceptance issue did not go away. The only interest in both of these coins is with collectors and a few merchandise vendors. Here are tips for starting and completing a collection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An average magnifier
• A good light source
• A basic coin album designed for either issue
• A current copy of the "Red Book" of U.S. Coins

1. Susan B Anthony Dollar COMMON DATE SBA DOLLARS
   
   The Philadephia and Denver mints producted the circulating issues; the San Francisco mint manufactured Proofs sets for collectors. The 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1999 issues are available in MS 63 or higher condition at very low prices.
2. RARE ISSUE SBA DOLLARS
   
   The only two rare issues of the Susan B. Anthony dollars are really variety coins. The "S" mintmark in the SBA Proof coins is a "heavy" or "filled" S, and barely discernable. It is called "Type 1." The 1979 S and 1981 S dollars are often called "Type 2" issues and feature a clear S. These have a premium value of $100 and $200, respectively.
3. COMMON DATE SCG DOLLARS (2000 to 2008)
   
   Once again, there are three mints issuing Sacagawea Dollars: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. Proof coins are exclusively produced by the San Francisco mint. The regular circulating issues are available in uncirculated condition for approximately $5 per coin. Proof issues have a premium and will average from $10 to $12 per coin.
4. RARE ISSUE SCG DOLLAR
   
   Only one Sacagawea dollar is considered a "rarity," and that is a stretch by the true standard. The 2001 S coin was available only in the 10-piece "special" silver proof set. It has a value of approximately $80.
5. THE 2000 "W" 22K GOLD SACAGAWEA DOLLAR
   
   This is a considered a "Pattern" Piece. Thirty-nine of these dollars were struck at the Philadelphia mint in June 1999. Twelve of the coins were carried on board the space shuttle Columbia, which was piloted by Eileen Collins. (You may remember that the Columbia was lost during reentry on a later flight on Feb. 1, 2003). Only 12 of these coins were saved and were transferred to Fort Knox in September 2001. They are currently stored there for safekeeping, save for on occasional exhibit.
   
   * Note: Another rare variety SCG issue was the "Cheerios" coin that was made in limited quantites as part of a General Mills promotion.

Tips & Warnings

• Both SBA and SCG dollar sets are relatively easy to complete.
• Do not purchase common date coins from TV shows or Internet sites.
• Purchase only NGC or PCGS-graded coins.