1981-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar - Proof

The Final Year of the Original Series

Own a piece of numismatic history with this 1981-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar, struck during the final year of the coin's original production run. After just three years in circulation, the U.S. Mint ceased regular production of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar in 1981, making this San Francisco Mint proof the last of its kind until the series' unexpected revival in 1999. This coin represents the conclusion of America's first small-sized dollar coin experiment and honors the pioneering suffragist who fought tirelessly for women's rights.

What Makes This Coin Special

• Proof condition - mirror-like fields and frosted devices with exceptional detail
• San Francisco Mint (S mintmark) - struck at the facility renowned for proof coinage
• Final year of original series (1981) - last production before 17-year hiatus
• Historic three-year run (1979-1981) - marks the end of the initial Susan B. Anthony era
• Copper-nickel clad composition - durable and distinctive 11-sided inner border design
• Legal tender status - official U.S. currency backed by the federal government

The Artistry Behind the Coin

Obverse: Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro's powerful portrait of Susan B. Anthony faces right, her determined expression capturing the spirit of the suffragist who dedicated her life to securing voting rights for women. The inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" frame her profile, with the date "1981" below and the "S" mintmark positioned near the right edge. The design honors Anthony's legacy as a champion of equality and social reform, making her the first real woman to appear on circulating U.S. coinage.

Reverse: The reverse features the iconic Apollo 11 mission insignia, adapted from the Eisenhower Dollar design. An American eagle descends toward the lunar surface, olive branch in its talons, with Earth rising in the background. The distinctive 11-sided inner border creates a unique visual signature that sets this dollar apart from all other U.S. coins, though this feature also contributed to public confusion with the quarter dollar.

Why Collectors Choose This Piece

The 1981-S Susan B. Anthony Dollar holds special significance as the final year of the original series. After the coin's introduction in 1979 failed to gain public acceptance due to its similarity in size to the quarter, the Mint discontinued production after 1981, making this the last opportunity to acquire a Susan B. Anthony Dollar until the surprise one-year revival in 1999. San Francisco proof strikes showcase the design's finest details with mirror-like surfaces and sharp, frosted devices that far exceed the quality of circulation strikes. For type set collectors, this coin represents an essential piece of modern U.S. coinage history, while its proof quality ensures long-term preservation of the design's intricate artistry.

Images are stock photos and may not represent the exact coin shipped.