$194,000 $1 Coins? These Susan
These $1 coins look ordinary, spendable, and easy to ignore.
One shows Susan B. Anthony.
The other shows Sacagawea.
Most people never look twice.
But hidden among these everyday dollars are rare versions that have shocked collectors and sold for serious money — up to $194,000 at auction.
And the most dangerous part?
One tiny detail can turn a simple $1 coin into a true collector treasure.
Let’s break down the three modern dollar coins every collector — and every household — should check.
1) 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar — Up to $12,250+
Many collectors believe modern dollar coins are nearly worthless.
That belief is wrong.
Some of the rarest hidden treasures in U.S. coinage were struck during the first year of the Susan B. Anthony series (1979).
Why this coin matters
- First U.S. coin to feature a real historical woman
- Introduced in 1979
- Designed by Frank Gasparro
- Struck in massive numbers at the Denver Mint
However, production problems changed everything:
- Worn dies
- Weak strikes
- Alignment issues
- Die cracks and mint errors
- Inconsistent surface quality
These flaws created rare varieties and condition rarities that collectors aggressively pursue today.
What collectors examine
Check carefully for:
- Sharpness of Susan B. Anthony’s portrait
- Clear stars around the rim
- Strong mint mark “D”
- Deep strike on the eagle and lunar module
- Die cracks, off-center strikes, clipped rims, or unusual mint-mark shapes
Small details = massive value differences.
Real auction prices
$12,250 – PCGS MS example (Heritage Auctions)
$5,400 – NGC high-grade example- Exceptional error coins: $1,000+
A perfect MS68–MS69 example with a rare error could potentially reach $20,000–$30,000.
2) 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar — Up to $194,000
This is one of the most misunderstood modern U.S. coins.
It looks simple.
It is not.
Why this coin stands out
Released in 2000, the Sacagawea dollar introduced:
- A golden manganese-brass alloy
- A portrait of Sacagawea with her son
- A soaring eagle reverse design
Philadelphia struck hundreds of millions — but early production suffered:
- Weak strikes
- Planchet variations
- Color inconsistencies
- Experimental die preparation
- Rare mint errors
The famous “Mule” error
Some coins were struck using:
A State Quarter obverse + Sacagawea reverse
This impossible combination created one of the most famous modern mint errors ever.
Record auction results
- $194,062.50 – PCGS mule error (Heritage Auctions)
- $125,000 – NGC mule error (Stack’s Bowers)
Even normal high-grade examples sell for:
- $300 – $900 (MS66+)
- $1,000+ (MS67–MS68)
A flawless MS70 with a dramatic new error could reach $20,000–$30,000+.
3) 1979-P Susan B. Anthony “Wide Rim” — Up to $15,275
Millions of people spent these without realizing:
Two varieties exist.
And one is extremely valuable.
How to identify the rare one
Flip the coin and look at the date:
- Narrow Rim – common (space visible between date and rim)
- Wide Rim – rare (date almost touches the rim)
That tiny difference changes everything.
Verified auction prices
- $15,275 – NGC MS67 (Heritage Auctions)
- $14,100 – NGC MS66
- Elite MS67+ Wide Rim: $6,995+
A flawless MS68+ Wide Rim with an error could exceed $30,000.
Critical rules before doing anything
If you think you found one:
Do NOT clean it
Do NOT polish it
Do NOT spend it
Do NOT sell it raw
Store safely
Authenticate with PCGS or NGC
Cleaning alone can destroy 90% of its value.
Final thought
Modern coins become valuable because of:
- Rare varieties
- Minting errors
- Survival in perfect condition
- Collector demand
Sometimes the most valuable treasures are hiding in plain sight — inside old drawers, jars, and forgotten collections.
Check your dollars carefully.
