1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

1981 Susan B. Anthony Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $21,600. That record was achieved by a Grade 67 example sold through Heritage Auctions in October 2022. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range. You can also scroll down to see recent eBay sales and what collectors are paying today.

 

1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value By Variety

Mint mark and condition make all the difference here. San Francisco issues and Deep Cameo proofs pull far ahead of Philadelphia or Denver pieces.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Susan B. Anthony Dollar Value (1979-1999)

Top 10 Most Valuable 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Worth Money

The king of the hill is a 1981-S MS67+. It’s the only coin at that grade from either PCGS or NGC — a true solo top-pop. Twelve others sit at MS67, and nothing grades finer. It hammered for $21,600 at Heritage Auctions in October 2022.

Proofs tell a different story. The 1981-S Type 2 PR70 brought $5,463 at Heritage in May 2007. The Type 1 proof actually set a higher number — $8,338 at Bowers & Merena in July 2003 — but that was an ANACS PR62 from an era when grading standards were still being sorted out. On the business strike side, the 1981-P MS67 sold for $3,220 at Heritage in December 2007, and the lone 1981-D MS68 reached $2,938 at Heritage in January 2017. Every mint mark produces genuine condition rarities at the top of the scale.

History Of The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar

Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820 and spent decades fighting for women’s right to vote. Her work helped lead to the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 — fourteen years after her death in 1906.

When Congress started planning a smaller dollar coin in the mid-1970s, a 1975 study by the Research Triangle Institute recommended a distinctive color and edge so people wouldn’t confuse it with the quarter. Those recommendations were mostly ignored.

President Jimmy Carter signed the authorizing legislation on October 10, 1978. The public quickly nicknamed it the “Carter Quarter” because it was so easy to mix up with a 25-cent piece at the register.

The first SBA dollars hit the market in July 1979. That year alone, the Mint cranked out over 757 million coins — a massive oversupply that never really circulated. By late 1980, more than 520 million sat untouched in Federal Reserve vaults. The Treasury had a serious surplus problem.

Melting them would have reversed $0.98 of seignorage per coin back to the national debt. So the government just stopped making them. In 1981, all three mints struck a combined total of just 9,742,000 coins — exclusively for Mint and Proof Sets. Not a single 1981 SBA dollar was released into circulation.

After President Reagan took office, the program quietly ended. The coin got a brief second life in 1999 when vending machine demand — especially from the U.S. Postal Service, which had SBA dollars in over 9,000 stamp machines — burned through the remaining stockpile ahead of the Sacagawea dollar’s 2000 debut.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money (Most Expensive)

Is Your 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Rare?

The Coin Identifier and Value App provides instant identification and rarity assessment for your 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar through AI-powered image recognition technology, helping collectors verify grade, mint mark, and current market value.

Key Features Of The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar

Knowing what to look for on this coin helps you authenticate and grade it properly. Frank Gasparro designed it while serving as Chief Engraver — making it the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real woman rather than an allegorical figure like Liberty.

Here’s a fun detail: Gasparro originally drew a flying eagle for the reverse. But after design details leaked to Congress, legislation forced the Mint to keep the Apollo 11 insignia already used on the Eisenhower dollar.

The Obverse Of The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar

A right-facing portrait of Susan B. Anthony fills the obverse. She’s shown in a high-necked blouse with her hair pulled into a bun. Look just below her left shoulder — that’s where designer Frank Gasparro placed his initials “FG.”

“LIBERTY” stretches across the top. “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in small lettering to the right of her chin. Thirteen five-pointed stars ring the inner rim — seven on the left, six on the right.

Check above Anthony’s right shoulder for the mint mark (P, D, or S). Below her bust, you’ll find the date “1981.”

The Reverse Of The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar

Flip it over and you’ll see the Apollo 11 mission insignia — an eagle landing on the Moon, originally designed by astronaut Michael Collins. The eagle faces left with wings spread, clutching an olive branch, descending toward a cratered lunar surface across the lower third.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” follows the upper rim, with “ONE DOLLAR” along the bottom edge. Earth hangs in the background as seen from the Moon. Gasparro’s “FG” initials appear again below the eagle’s tail feathers.

Other Features Of The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar

The coin is copper-nickel clad — 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded over a pure copper core. Despite looking silvery, it contains zero precious metal. Melt value sits around $0.10.

Both sides have an eleven-sided inner border — an undecagon — meant to help you tell the dollar from a quarter by touch. The edge has grooved reeding, which ironically made the confusion worse since quarters have reeding too.

The coin measures 26.5 millimeters across and weighs 8.1 grams. A genuine piece rings clearly when dropped and measures exactly 2.00mm thick. Cast counterfeits typically weigh about 7.77 grams and sit thicker on one side — easy tells if you know what to check.

Also Read: Top 80+ Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Worth Money (2000-P to Present)

1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

This is the lowest-mintage year in the entire SBA series. Philadelphia struck 3,000,000 pieces, Denver minted 3,250,000, and San Francisco produced 3,492,000 business strikes. Every single one came from collector sets — no bank rolls, no general commerce. That’s the NIFC designation at work.

San Francisco also struck over 4,063,083 proof coins split between Type 1 and Type 2 varieties. Business strike survival rates top 98% across all three mints because mint set packaging kept them safe from wear. That’s why lower-grade examples stay cheap.

The proofs are a different story. The S Type 1 DCAM has a 64.8% survival rate with about 2,632,877 examples remaining. The S Type 2 DCAM? Just 16.2% survival — only 658,219 confirmed specimens. That’s roughly one Type 2 for every four Type 1 proofs. I think that ratio alone explains the price gap.

Also Read: Top 40+ Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins Worth Money

The Easy Way To Know Your 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

Three things matter when you’re evaluating one of these: the mint mark above Anthony’s shoulder, whether that “S” is a sharp Type 2 or a mushy Type 1, and overall surface condition.

Grab a magnifying glass and look closely at the S mint mark. A partially filled S versus a crisp, flat S is the difference between a $10 coin and a $400+ coin. If you think your business strike grades MS66 or higher, professional grading from PCGS or NGC is worth the cost.

Rather than manual research and comparison, the Coin Identifier and Value App transforms this complex authentication process into seconds. Its AI-powered recognition technology scans your coin’s image, identifies mint mark varieties automatically, assesses grade through surface analysis, and delivers instant market values.

1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value Guides

Five distinct categories exist for 1981 SBA dollars. All were struck exclusively for U.S. Mint and Proof Sets — none entered circulation.

The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco business strikes came in mint sets. The San Francisco proofs split into two varieties: Type 1 and Type 2. That Type 2 proof is one of only three major die varieties in the entire SBA series, alongside the 1979-P Wide Rim and the 1979-S Type 2 proof.

• 1981-P Susan B Anthony Dollar – Philadelphia Mint business strike, lowest series mintage at 3,000,000
• 1981-D Susan B Anthony Dollar – Denver Mint issue, second-lowest mintage at 3,250,000
• 1981-S Susan B Anthony Dollar – San Francisco business strike, collector-only distribution
• 1981-S Type 1 DCAM Susan B Anthony Dollar – Proof with filled “S” mint mark, most common 1981 proof
• 1981-S Type 2 DCAM Susan B Anthony Dollar – Rare proof with clear, flat “S” mint mark, scarcest modern SBA variety

1981-P Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

This is the key date. Only 3,000,000 struck — the lowest mintage business strike in the entire SBA series. PCGS writer Jaime Hernandez has called it “the key date in the whole Susan B. Anthony Dollar series” and the second hardest to find in high uncirculated grades.

Below MS65, you’re looking at face value territory. Accessible type coins. The curve gets steep at MS66 (around $50) and goes vertical at MS67.

PCGS has slabbed just 21 coins at MS67 with zero graded higher. NGC shows 50 at MS67, also none finer. That’s a total worldwide certified population of 71 coins at the terminal grade across both services. The auction record is $3,220 for an MS67 at Heritage Auctions in December 2007.

Detailed auction histories document pricing trends across all certified grades.

Current market chart shows how collector interest has evolved through recent months.

1981-D Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

Think of the 1981-D as the gateway into the 1981 key date group. Denver struck 3,250,000 pieces — all for Uncirculated Mint Sets only — and in MS65 and above, it shows up in certified populations more often than either the P or S.

One coin stands alone at MS68. It’s the finest known from either major service and sold for $2,938 at Heritage Auctions in January 2017. Nothing has ever graded higher.

Current retail puts MS67 near $375 (about 120 certified), MS66 around $65, and MS64 near $18. Collectors building three-coin 1981 sets usually grab the Denver piece first, then put the remaining budget toward the tighter Philadelphia and San Francisco populations.

All notable past sales of the 1981-D dollar are summarized in the following auction record table.

Observing current market trends helps gauge collector attention and liquidity for this issue.

1981-S Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

$21,600. That’s what the sole MS67+ brought at Heritage Auctions in October 2022 — the all-time record for any Susan B. Anthony dollar. It’s the only coin at that grade from either PCGS or NGC. The next tier down, MS67, has roughly twelve certified examples.

San Francisco struck 3,492,000 business strikes alongside its proofs in 1981. Despite having the highest mintage of the three mints that year, the 1981-S is actually the hardest to find in MS66 and above. That supply squeeze keeps registry set competition fierce.

For perspective: Philadelphia’s MS67 brought $3,220 in 2007 and Denver’s MS68 hit $2,938 in 2017. The gap to San Francisco’s $21,600 is enormous. We think that spread reflects just how tight the high-grade census really is for this mint mark.

Comprehensive sale records document how certified examples have traded across auction platforms.

Market tracking shows consistent activity levels of this San Francisco dollar through the past year.

1981-S Type 1 DCAM Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

Here’s a common misconception: people assume “Type 1” means it came first chronologically. Not exactly. The Type 1 uses the same worn mintmark punch originally made for the 1979-S Type 2 dollar. By fall 1981, that punch had degraded after two years of service, producing the partially filled, mushy “S” that defines this variety.

Because the replacement punch showed up late in the production run, roughly 80–85% of the 4,063,083 proof sets made in 1981 contain the Type 1 mint mark. It’s the common one.

At PR69 DCAM, you’re looking at $10–$20. PR70 brings $30–$50 in today’s market. The documented auction peak for a PR70 was $896 in October 2020. Still affordable in top grades, and the backstory about the worn punch gives variety collectors something to talk about.

Comprehensive auction records trace this variety’s sales history across major numismatic platforms.

Market tracking chart reflects ongoing collector interest of the Type 1 coin through recent months.

1981-S Type 2 DCAM Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

Can you tell the difference between a $10 proof and a $400 proof? With this variety, it comes down to one letter. The Type 2 was struck with a fresh replacement mintmark punch introduced late in the 1981 run. Under even modest magnification, the “S” looks flat, sharp, and crisp with clearly separated serifs.

Only about 8% of the 4,063,083 proof dollars carry this clear mintmark. That makes the 1981-S Type 2 the scarcest modern SBA variety — one of just three major collectible varieties in the entire series alongside the 1979-P Wide Rim and 1979-S Type 2.

PCGS and NGC combined show 5,314 coins at PR69 DCAM and just 764 at PR70. Four decades of handling takes a toll. Current prices: PR69 DCAM trades around $120, PR70 runs $350–$400, and PR68 settles near $80–$140. The all-time record is $5,463 for a PCGS PR70 at Heritage Auctions in May 2007. Album builders need both Type 1 and Type 2, so buyer demand stays consistent.

A review of past auction results provides insight into how collector interest and pricing have evolved over time.

Following that, the chart illustrates how these coins have performed in the market over the past year.

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

Rare 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Error List

Since every 1981 SBA dollar came from collector sets rather than circulation, any error that slipped past quality control is exceptionally scarce. The Mint was packaging these by hand for paying customers — errors weren’t supposed to exist.

But they do. And the ones that survived four decades of collector handling now carry serious premiums.

1. Off-Center Strike Errors

An off-center strike happens when the planchet sits crooked between the dies. You get part of the design missing and a blank crescent on the opposite side. Most known 1981 examples show 5% to 20% displacement.

The key for value is date visibility. If you can read “1981,” that confirms the year and validates the error. These show up from all three mints. Expect $150 to $500 depending on how far off-center the strike landed — higher displacement with a full date brings top dollar.

Broadstrikes are a related variety. These coins got struck outside the retaining collar, so they lack reeding and look wider and flatter than normal. Most sell for $50–$100, though a 1981-P Broadstrike graded MS-64 reportedly brought approximately $1,800 at a specialized error auction.

2. Clipped Planchet Errors

These happen during blank preparation when the cutting dies punch overlapping patterns into the metal strip. You’ll see either a straight-edge clip from overlapping punches or a crescent-shaped void from partially missing metal.

Look at the clipped area closely. You can usually see the copper core peeking through the nickel cladding layers — no magnification needed. Weigh the coin too. Clipped specimens come in under the standard 8.1 grams proportional to the missing metal.

Minor clips start around $25. Larger clips affecting 15–20% of the planchet bring $75–$150, especially in higher grades. Uncirculated pieces with dramatic clips occasionally break $200 at error-focused auctions.

3. Wrong Planchet Errors

This is the holy grail of SBA errors. When a quarter planchet accidentally feeds into the dollar press, the smaller blank can’t hold the full design. The eleven-sided inner border usually fails to show on both sides — a dead giveaway.

Documented wrong planchet SBA errors trade in the $3,000–$15,000 range depending on planchet type and grade. A 1999-P SBA struck on a Sacagawea planchet — a transitional error — sold for $16,100 at Heritage Auctions in January 2006. A 1979-S SBA on a dime planchet fetched $10,062.50 in 2004. Any 1981 wrong planchet example would rank among the most valuable pieces in the series. PCGS or NGC certification is non-negotiable for market acceptance.

4. Multiple Strike Errors

This one’s dramatic. The planchet gets trapped between the dies and takes extra hits before ejecting. You’ll see ghosted doubling where design elements appear in multiple positions at different rotation angles.

Don’t confuse this with die deterioration doubling, which creates a mushy, shelf-like look. Genuine multiple strikes show completely separate impressions with clear spacing between them. Check both sides for corresponding overlap. Authenticated pieces start at $500, with dramatic examples reaching four figures. Professional certification is a must.

Where To Sell Your 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar?

Now that you understand your 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar’s potential value, choosing the right selling platform becomes your next priority. Each marketplace offers distinct advantages depending on your coin’s condition and rarity.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

FAQ About The 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar Value

1. Are 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollars rare and valuable?

Yes — 1981 is the rarest year in the entire series. All three mint marks had mintages under 3.5 million, the lowest production numbers for any SBA dollar.

Most examples are worth face value in lower grades. But high uncirculated grades change everything. The sole MS67+ from San Francisco sold for $21,600 at Heritage Auctions in October 2022 — the highest price ever paid for any Susan B. Anthony dollar.

2. Do 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollars contain silver?

No. Zero silver content despite being a dollar coin. They’re copper-nickel clad — the same alloy used in dimes and quarters since 1965. Outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core. Melt value is approximately $0.10, so all the value here is numismatic.

3. What is the difference between the 1981-S Type 1 and Type 2 proof?

It’s all about the mint mark punch. Type 1 proofs have a partially filled, mushy-looking “S” — the result of a worn punch originally made for the 1979-S Type 2 proofs. Two years of use degraded it.

Type 2 proofs show a flat, crisp “S” with clearly separated serifs from a fresh replacement punch introduced late in the 1981 run. Type 1 represents roughly 80–85% of all 1981 proofs and trades for $10–$50. Type 2 is far scarcer — PR69 examples run around $120 and PR70 pieces reach $350–$400.

4. How do I identify a 1981-S Type 2 proof?

Grab a 5x or 10x loupe and look at the “S” above Anthony’s right shoulder. A Type 1 S looks filled-in, blurry, almost greasy. A Type 2 S looks crisp and flat with visibly separated inner spaces. The serifs — the small feet at the top and bottom — appear sharp rather than rounded or merged. When in doubt, pull up side-by-side images from PCGS CoinFacts before submitting for grading.

5. Is it worth getting a 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar professionally graded?

Grading through PCGS or NGC runs roughly $20–$50 per coin. It pays off if your business strike looks MS66 or higher, if you have a suspected Type 2 proof in PR68 or better, or if you’re holding any error coin.

For MS65 and below, grading fees eat up any premium you’d gain. Use the Coin Identifier and Value App or get a dealer’s opinion before spending on slabbing.

6. What is a NIFC coin and why does it matter for 1981 dollars?

NIFC means “Not Issued For Circulation.” Every 1981 SBA dollar carries this designation — none were released through banks.

That matters for two reasons. First, mint set packaging protected these coins, giving them survival rates above 98% in uncirculated condition. Second, that same packaging sometimes caused “mint set rub” — light contact marks from the coin shifting against the insert — which can suppress grades below MS66.

7. Why did the 1979 production run exceed 757 million coins but 1981 only had 9.7 million?

The Mint expected huge public demand in 1979 and produced at full capacity. When the coin flopped — mostly because people kept confusing it with the quarter — mintages cratered. From roughly 758 million in 1979, down to 89.6 million in 1980, and finally just 9.7 million in 1981.

By then, over 520 million coins sat unused in Federal Reserve vaults. Melting them would have created a $0.98-per-coin debt obligation from reversed seignorage. So the Treasury just stopped minting and served remaining collector demand through sets only.

8. Can I find a 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar in circulation today?

Possible but unlikely. These were distributed exclusively in Mint and Proof Sets and never released through banks. Occasionally coins from collector sets get spent or exchanged at banks, putting them into the wild.

If you spot one in change, pull it. Even a lower-grade example in apparent uncirculated condition is worth a closer look, since every 1981 business strike carries the key date premium from sub-3.5-million mintages.

9. What errors add the most value to a 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar?

Wrong planchet errors sit at the top — potentially $3,000–$15,000+ depending on the host planchet and grade. Authenticated 1981 examples are extraordinarily rare. Multiple strike errors with clear, distinct impressions start at $500 for certified pieces.

Off-center strikes showing 20%+ displacement with a full visible date can reach $300–$500. Broadstrikes sell for $50–$100. Minor clipped planchets start around $25 and scale up with clip size.

10. How does the 1981 Susan B Anthony Dollar compare to the 1999 reissue in collector value?

At most grade levels, 1981 business strikes hold stronger value. The 1999-P and 1999-D were struck in larger quantities (approximately 41.3 million combined) for actual vending machine use, so they’re much more available.

One exception worth noting: the 1999-D in top MS67 grade is actually rarer and more valuable than the 1981 issues at that level, worth around $600 due to surface quality problems from rushed production. The 1999-P also produced a famous transitional error — struck on a Sacagawea planchet — that sold for $16,100 in 2006, well above any standard 1981 issue.