By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The Susan B. Anthony Greenback was meant to be a circulating greenback coin that might be accepted extensively by the American public resulting from its small dimension. In hindsight, the folly of issuing a copper-nickel-clad greenback that’s solely barely bigger than 1 / 4 appears apparent, however the Susan B. Anthony Greenback’s design was a slurry of compromises, shortcuts, and sops to particular pursuits.
Inside months, Congress was desperate to distance itself from the failure the coin had turned out to be. On the identical time, the United States Mint continued to provide the brand new greenback. After a sturdy coinage of 750 million items in 1979, manufacturing slowed to simply beneath 90 million cash in 1980. That yr, the San Francisco Mint produced two variations of the Susan B. Anthony Greenback: one for circulation and one for inclusion within the 1980 United States Proof Set.
The 1980 United States Proof Set is a six-coin set that options the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback alongside the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof, the 1980-S Jefferson Nickel Proof, the 1980-S Roosevelt Dime Proof, the 1980-S Washington Quarter Proof, and the 1980-S Kennedy Half Greenback Proof. These units include $1.91 in cash however had been bought for $10 ($40.57 in 2024 inflation-adjusted cash). The Mint bought 3,554,806.
The 2 S-mint {dollars} are simply distinguishable. Enterprise strikes in uncirculated situation sometimes exhibit die stream traces and have a lustrous end and uniform look. On Proofs, the edges and reeds are sharper, the raised particulars are frosted, and the fields are polished to a deep mirror end.
The Proof model was not launched into circulation, though it’s not unusual for collectors to interrupt up Proof units to promote the cash individually or to mount them in coin albums. As soon as this occurs, there’s an elevated likelihood {that a} Proof hanging would possibly find yourself in circulation, if the album or assortment is damaged up. In circulation, these cash come into contact with different cash and contaminants, at which level the coin is taken into account an Impaired Proof. Impaired Proofs carry no significant worth over face worth, however are fascinating.
How A lot Is a 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback Proof Price?
Regardless of initially promoting for $10 ($40.57 in inflation-adjusted cash), 1980 United States Proof Units have misplaced greater than 75% of their worth when adjusting for inflation and commerce in December 2024 for about $9-$10. As a single coin, the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Proof routinely trades for about $5 uncooked, and beneath $10 in Proof 69. All 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback Proofs, by the character of their manufacturing, ought to qualify for Deep Cameo or Extremely Cameo designations.
“Good” Proof 70 cash are available in NGC and PCGS holders, and will quickly change into obtainable from CAC. Underneath low magnification, a Proof 70 coin must be good as struck with no post-strike harm. It’s attainable for some 70s to look higher than others, because the grade in apply gives a really slender definition of perfection.
The most typical venue for promoting uncooked and authorized 1980-S Susan B. Anthony {Dollars} is eBay. Cash in all grades are steadily provided there so a collector doesn’t have to overpay for cash provided in excessive “Purchase It Now” listings. These listings might supply Proof 70 Deep Cameo cash for $150, whereas true auctions of cash in comparable grades conclude at $25 or $30. Be affected person.
Additionally, Watch out for eBay sellers providing uncertified artificially toned cash. These cash are numismatically nugatory.
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Market Knowledge and Noteworthy Specimens
eBay vendor Sirius Sports activities Playing cards is a market maker for low-cost fashionable licensed cash. Dozens of 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback PCGS PR70DCAM Proofs are from his listings. In our November-December information set, this vendor reused a picture for cert #27621849.
High Inhabitants: PCGS MS67 (141, 12/2024) and NGC MS68 (4, 12/2024), and CAC MS64 (1, 12/2024).
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, December 1, 2024 – $26. Six bids. Inventory picture.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 29, 2024 – $29. Eight bids. Inventory picture.
- NGC PF70UCAM #6309448-081: eBay, November 27, 2024 – $27.99. Purchase it Now.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 27, 2024 – $28.09. 12 bids. Inventory picture.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 23, 2024 – $30. 13 bids. Inventory picture.
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Design
Obverse:
The obverse of the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback Proof shows a right-facing portrait of suffragette Susan B. Anthony in a high-necked shirt or shirtwaist, her hair pulled again right into a bun. Designer Frank Gasparro’s initials FG seem slightly below Anthony’s left shoulder. The rim consists of clean however angular line segments that body an 11-sided polygon (an undecagon or hendecagon). The phrase LIBERTY is on the high and the nationwide motto IN GOD WE TRUST in small letters is to the precise of Anthony’s chin. 13 five-pointed stars circle the within of the rim, seven to the left and 6 to the precise; these on the precise are break up into two three-star teams by the motto. A small S mintmark is positioned simply above Anthony’s proper shoulder and the date 1980 is immediately under her bust.
Reverse:
The reverse options yet one more tackle the Michael Collins-designed mission patch of Apollo 11 – a mission that included mankind’s first steps on the floor of one other planetary physique (the Moon). The 11-sided rim is repeated, framing a left-facing eagle with wings unfold as if touchdown on the cratered floor of the Moon pictured on the underside third of the coin. The eagle is clutching an olive department. Planet Earth seems above and to the left of the eagle’s head, with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM simply to the precise at high heart. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles practically the highest half of the rim towards the darkness of house, and ONE DOLLAR is on the backside over the lunar panorama. 13 five-pointed stars type an arc across the eagle, under the highest legend however above the earth and motto. United States Mint Chief Engraver Gasparro’s initials FG are additionally on the reverse, under the eagle’s tail feathers.
Edge:
The sting of the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback Proof is reeded, as are all different problems with the sort.
Designer
One of the crucial prolific American coin designers of the twentieth century, Frank Gasparro served as a junior assistant engraver beneath John R. Sinnock and later because the tenth Chief Engraver of america Mint. Apart from the Susan B. Anthony Greenback, Gasparro’s most well-known coin designs embody the Memorial reverse of the Lincoln Cent and the reverse of the Kennedy Half Greenback, in addition to each side of the Eisenhower Greenback.
1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback Proof Coin Specs
| Nation: | United States of America |
| 12 months of Concern: | 1980 |
| Denomination: | One Greenback (USD) |
| Mintmark: | S (San Francisco) |
| Mintage: | 3,554,806 |
| Alloy: | Outer layers of .750 Copper, .250 Nickel over a pure copper heart |
| Weight: | 8.1 g |
| Diameter: | 26.5 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | Frank Gasparro |
| REV Designer: | Frank Gasparro | Michael Collins |
| High quality: | Proof |
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Sources
Greene – https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-01-11-8803210571-story.html
Reiter – https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/11/arts/numismatics-what-will-become-of-those-anthony-dollars.html
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