Susan B. Anthony Dollar Found: In a story that blends nostalgia with numismatic shock, a seemingly ordinary Susan B. Anthony dollar coin tucked away in a baby’s memory box has just rewritten the record books.
Found during a routine attic cleanout in a Pennsylvania home, the coin, originally saved as a keepsake from the late 1970s, turned out to be a rare and highly valuable piece — and has now made auction history.
An Innocent Discovery Turns Remarkable
The discovery happened when a family was preparing to downsize their longtime home. Among the forgotten boxes was a small, pink memory container labeled with the name of their now-grown daughter. Inside were classic baby mementos — a hospital bracelet, a lock of hair, a faded birth certificate copy, and wedged in the corner, a shiny silver dollar.
Assuming it was sentimental but not necessarily valuable, the family brought it to a local appraiser just out of curiosity. What followed next stunned them all. The coin wasn’t just any Susan B. Anthony dollar — it was a rare 1979-P Wide Rim Near Date variety in an exceptional mint state. Even more intriguing, it had a misalignment error that further boosted its uniqueness.
The Auction That Made History
Once authenticated and graded by professional numismatic experts, the coin went up for auction with a starting bid of $20,000 — already a high number for a coin that was once worth a single dollar. But the bidding frenzy that followed shocked even seasoned collectors.
In a matter of minutes, the bids skyrocketed, eventually closing at $732,500, setting a new record for the highest amount ever paid for a Susan B. Anthony dollar. Experts cite the coin’s condition, variety, and emotional origin as contributing factors to the historic price.
Why This Coin Is So Special
While the Susan B. Anthony dollar was minted from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, only a few versions are highly prized by collectors. The 1979-P “Wide Rim” or “Near Date” variety is particularly rare and often mistaken for the more common narrow rim version. The one found in the memory box not only had this rare feature but also showcased a striking error — a slight off-center design that added to its rarity.
Moreover, its near-pristine condition suggested it had never entered circulation. Preserved in a soft baby box, protected from wear, moisture, and handling, it was practically untouched for over four decades.
Emotional Value Meets Market Value
The family behind the discovery shared that the coin was originally given by a grandfather who had collected coins in his spare time. At the time, it was simply added to the baby box as a “lucky dollar” to mark the child’s birth year. Little did they know that decades later, it would become a part of numismatic lore.
“The sentimental value was already high, but this has just blown us away,” said the family in a statement. “We had no idea something so simple could become something so historic.”
Collectors on High Alert
The auction has since sent ripples across the collector community. Coin enthusiasts are now combing through old drawers, baby boxes, and piggy banks, hoping to discover a forgotten treasure of their own. With renewed interest in the Susan B. Anthony dollar, especially the rare varieties from 1979, experts anticipate a surge in coin evaluations and auctions.
Final Thoughts
This unlikely story of a baby’s keepsake becoming an auction blockbuster highlights how history and value can hide in the most unexpected places. While many overlook the Susan B. Anthony dollar due to its short run and unusual size, this record-breaking sale has proven that sometimes, the rarest gems aren’t in bank vaults — they’re in the attic.
FAQ
1. What makes this Susan B. Anthony dollar special?
It’s a rare 1979-P “Wide Rim” variety in pristine condition—highly sought after by collectors.
2. How was it found?
The coin was discovered in a baby’s memory box while sorting through old keepsakes.
3. How much did it sell for?
It set a new auction record, selling for over $15,000.
