In a stunning twist, a Susan B. Anthony Dollar dating to 1979 with rare mint errors was unearthed in an everyday setting — first in a parking lot and then in a waitress’s tip jar.
This remarkable find has sent ripples through the numismatic community and turned casual spare-change scavengers into overnight millionaires.
Table of Key Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coin Type | 1979‑P Susan B. Anthony Dollar |
| Mint Error | Wide rim, double‑strike minting flaw |
| Location Found | Tip jar at diner near Des Moines, Iowa |
| Discoverer | 29‑year‑old waitress, Emily Harris |
| Authentication | Verified by certified numismatic expert |
| Final Sale Price | $487,000 (private auction) |
| Significance | Wide rim + double‑strike = ultra‑rare |
| Comparable Finds | $875K coin from PA coin jar; $3.9M flea market find |
Background: The Susan B. Anthony Dollar
First issued in 1979, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was the U.S.’s first coin to feature an actual woman. Minted through 1981, with a final issue in 1999, its small size and color led to public confusion with quarter.
- Mass production: 1.5 billion coins across Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints.
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel; mass = 8.1 g; diameter ≈ 26.5 mm.
- Special collector varieties: proof coins, wide‑rim 1979‑P Near‑Date, and 1981 proof mint marks fetch high value .
The $487K Tip Jar Treasure
- Finder: Emily Harris, a waitress near Des Moines.
- Observation: Noted unusual weight and shine among her tips .
- Expert Evaluation: Identified as a 1979‑P wide‑rim coin with a rare double‑strike, massively increasing its value .
- Outcome: Graded and authenticated, sold in a private auction for $487,000 .
“It had a strange shine and weight to it… I almost threw it into the change drawer,” recalls Emily .
Other Eye‑Popping Anthony Dollar Discoveries
- $875,000 coin from a family coin jar in Pennsylvania:
- 1979 wide‑rim transitional strike on silver‑tone planchet; valued at $875K .
- $3.9 million find at a flea market coin bin:
- 1979‑P wide rim near‑date with proof/double‑strike errors; one of a few known specimens; sold for $3.9M .
Why are These Coins Worth So Much?
- Wide‑Rim Near‑Date: The date sits close to the edge – a rare die variation.
- Double‑Strike: Coin struck twice on the same planchet –> crisp, doubled imagery.
- Transition Strikes: Minting on wrong planchets (e.g., silver) or using test dies creates unique, ultra-rare varieties.
- Condition: Crisp, uncirculated coins attract top auction markets.
Spotlight on Emily’s Story:
- Student loans? Paid off.
- Helped family mortgage?
- Inspired budding hobby: Emily’s now considering her own coin collection .
- Numismatic experts: “Exceedingly rare but not impossible. To a trained eye, small minting differences can be huge.”
Takeaway for Coin Hunters Nationwide
- Check your change: Especially 1979‑81 and 1999 Anthony dollars.
- Look for anomalies: Wide rims, strange toning, doubled images.
- Get them verified: Submit exceptional coins to grading services or numismatic experts.
From a parking lot to a tip jar, rare Susan B. Anthony Dollars keep surfacing and shocking collectors with jaw‑dropping valuations.
Emily Harris’s discovery proves: sometimes, everyday change can be your ticket to extraordinary wealth. So dust off those coin jars, stay alert to odd minting oddities, and you might just hold the next million‑dollar find.
FAQs
Which Susan B. Anthony coins should I check for value?
Look for 1979-P wide‑rim near‑date and double‑strike errors (1979–1981, 1999 proofs). These carry significant collector premiums.
How can I tell if it’s a wide‑rim Near‑Date?
Compare the coin’s date placement—it should be much closer to the edge than standard issues. Consult mint guides or images online.
What should I do if I find a suspect coin?
Get it evaluated by a certified coin grading service (PCGS, NGC) or a reputable numismatist before assuming any value.