Margaret Thompson stared at the old shoebox her grandmother had left her, filled with coins collected over decades. Among the quarters and pennies, one coin caught her eye—a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar that seemed different somehow. The surface had an unusual luster, and there appeared to be doubling on some of the letters.
What Margaret didn’t realize was that she might be holding one of the most sought-after varieties in modern coin collecting. That seemingly ordinary dollar coin from her grandmother’s collection could potentially be worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to the right collector.
Stories like Margaret’s are becoming more common as collectors and casual coin enthusiasts discover that certain 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollars are far more valuable than their face value suggests. The emergence of online communities and digital marketplaces has made it easier than ever for people to identify and value these special coins, leading to more discoveries in old collections, bank rolls, and even pocket change.
Understanding the 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar Market
The 1999p susan b anthony dollar represents the final year of regular production for this controversial coin series. After an 18-year hiatus following the 1981 mintage, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 29 million Susan B. Anthony dollars in 1999 to meet the demand from vending machine operators and transit systems preparing for the year 2000.
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This unexpected return to production created unique circumstances at the mint. Workers who had experience producing Susan B. Anthony dollars in the early 1980s were often no longer employed, and new staff had to quickly learn the production process. Additionally, dies and equipment that had been in storage for nearly two decades required refurbishment and recalibration.
“The 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar is unique because it bridges the gap between the original 1979-1981 series and the new Sacagawea dollar that followed,” explains Dr. James Richardson, a numismatic expert at Heritage Auctions. “While most are common, certain varieties and errors from this year have captured serious collector attention due to the unusual production circumstances.”
Most standard 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollars in average circulated condition remain worth their face value of one dollar. However, uncirculated examples and those with special characteristics tell a different story entirely. The coin’s place as the final year of the series has given it a special significance among completionist collectors.
The Philadelphia Mint’s production of these coins occurred under tight deadlines, as vending machine companies and transit authorities needed substantial quantities before the millennium change. This pressure may have contributed to some of the quality control issues that created the valuable varieties collectors prize today.
Valuable Varieties and Errors to Watch For
Several specific characteristics can dramatically increase a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar’s value, with some varieties commanding premium prices that far exceed what most people would expect from a relatively modern coin:
Wide Rim Variety (Near Date): The most famous 1999-P variety features an unusually wide rim that positions the date closer to the rim. These can sell for $50-$300 depending on condition. The variety occurs when the collar die used to form the coin’s edge was positioned incorrectly during production, creating the distinctive appearance that collectors have learned to identify.
Double Die Errors: Coins showing doubling in the lettering or design elements are highly prized. Confirmed double die 1999-P examples have sold for $1,000-$5,000 at auction. The doubling typically appears most prominently in the word “LIBERTY” or the date, created when the die receives a second, slightly offset impression during the hubbing process.
Off-Center Strikes: Coins struck significantly off-center can command $25-$200 depending on the degree of the error and overall eye appeal. The most valuable off-center strikes show 10-30% of the design missing while retaining a complete date.
Clashed Die Errors: When dies strike each other without a planchet between them, they can create ghost images on subsequently struck coins. These errors from 1999-P production can be worth $75-$250.
Multiple Strike Errors: Extremely rare coins that were struck multiple times show overlapping images and can command $500-$2,000 or more depending on the dramatic nature of the error.
High-Grade Examples: Coins graded MS-65 or higher by professional grading services can be worth $10-$50, while MS-68 examples might reach $100-$300. The highest graded examples, MS-69 or MS-70, can command even stronger premiums due to their rarity in such pristine condition.
“The key is understanding that condition is everything with modern coins,” notes Sarah Mitchell, a professional coin dealer with 20 years of experience. “A 1999-P dollar that looks perfect to the naked eye might grade MS-63, while a truly exceptional example could grade MS-67 and be worth significantly more.”
Market Trends and Collector Impact
The collector market for 1999p susan b anthony dollar coins has evolved significantly over the past five years, transforming from a largely overlooked modern issue into a legitimate collectible with its own dedicated following. What once attracted minimal attention now generates steady interest among both error coin specialists and type set collectors.
Registry set collecting through services like PCGS Set Registry and NGC Registry has particularly boosted demand for high-grade examples. Collectors building complete Susan B. Anthony dollar sets need a quality 1999-P example, creating ongoing demand that supports values above face value for superior specimens. This competitive aspect of collecting has driven some enthusiasts to seek out the finest possible examples, pushing prices for top-graded coins steadily higher.
Recent auction results show that error varieties continue to outperform regular strikes by substantial margins. A well-documented wide rim variety recently sold for $275, while a confirmed double die example brought over $2,800 at a major numismatic auction. The consistency of these strong results has convinced many dealers to actively search through bags and rolls of 1999-P dollars.
The increasing sophistication of online authentication tools has also played a role in market development. High-resolution photography and detailed variety attribution guides have made it possible for collectors to identify potential valuable coins with greater confidence than ever before.
“The 1999-P is becoming the ‘sleeper’ date in the Susan B. Anthony series,” explains coin grading specialist Robert Chen. “Many collectors focus on the earlier dates, but the varieties and errors from 1999 are where the real action is happening.”
The increasing use of online marketplaces has also democratized the buying and selling process, allowing more collectors to discover and acquire these special coins without relying solely on traditional coin shops or shows. This accessibility has broadened the collector base and created more consistent pricing across different geographic markets.
Investment-minded collectors have also taken notice of the 1999p susan b anthony dollar market. Some view high-grade examples and documented varieties as undervalued compared to similar errors from other modern series, leading to increased acquisition activity that further supports current price levels.
Professional Grading and Authentication
The importance of professional authentication cannot be overstated when dealing with valuable 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar varieties. Both PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) have developed specific attributions for the known varieties, providing collectors with confidence in their purchases.
Professional grading fees typically range from $20-$50 per coin, but for valuable varieties, this investment can be worthwhile. A raw wide rim variety might sell for $75-$100, while the same coin with professional authentication and grading might command $150-$250 due to buyer confidence.
Dr. Patricia Williams, a consulting numismatist with extensive experience in modern coin varieties, emphasizes the value of proper attribution: “The difference between a valuable variety and a common coin can sometimes be very subtle. Professional grading services have the expertise and equipment to make these distinctions definitively.”
The grading process also provides important protection against counterfeits and altered coins. As values have increased, some unscrupulous individuals have attempted to artificially create varieties through post-mint alteration, making third-party authentication essential for significant purchases.
What does this mean for average coin holders?
Anyone with 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollars should examine them carefully under good lighting and consider having suspicious varieties authenticated by professional services.
How can I identify a wide rim variety?
Compare the distance between the date and the rim to photos of normal examples. Wide rim varieties show noticeably less space between “1999” and the coin’s edge.
Are raw coins worth getting professionally graded?
For obvious errors or exceptionally well-preserved examples, professional grading can significantly increase value and marketability. The cost is typically $20-$50 per coin.
Where should I sell valuable 1999-P varieties?
Major auction houses, reputable coin dealers, and established online platforms provide the best venues for selling authenticated varieties and errors.
Will values continue to increase?
Market experts suggest that documented varieties and high-grade examples will likely maintain or increase their premiums as the series gains more collector recognition.
What’s the most valuable 1999-P error discovered so far?
A dramatic off-center strike combined with a double die error sold privately for over $8,000, though such extreme combinations are extraordinarily rare.