Susan B. Anthony Dollar : In a story that sounds more like a scene from a movie than a living room, a forgotten coin found wedged deep in an old couch cushion is now turning heads in the numismatic world. The coin in question? A Susan B. Anthony Dollar—once dismissed by the public as ordinary pocket change—is now being appraised at a staggering $720,000 due to its rarity and pristine condition.
The Accidental Discovery
It all started when a Michigan couple decided to replace their decades-old couch during a spring cleaning weekend. While lifting the heavy furniture, a few coins fell to the floor, most of them pennies and nickels. But one stood out: a dull, silvery coin that looked a little different. Brushing off the dust, they realized it was a Susan B. Anthony Dollar, dated 1979.
Initially, they didn’t think much of it—after all, the coin had been in circulation. But a curious Google search about “valuable Susan B. Anthony Dollars” led them down a rabbit hole of coin collecting forums, auction records, and rare minting errors. What they had discovered was not just any dollar coin, but one of the rarest known transitional error coins from the Philadelphia Mint.
Why This Coin Matters
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar, first minted in 1979, was introduced as the first U.S. coin to honor a real woman. While its historical significance is well noted, it was not initially well received by the public. Many mistook it for a quarter due to its similar size and color, causing it to fall out of favor by 1981, with a limited revival in 1999.
But for collectors, the coin holds serious value—especially variants that include misprints, proof mintings, or transitional errors between years and mints. The coin found in the couch, experts say, appears to be a 1979-P Wide Rim variety, often referred to as the “Near Date” because the date appears closer to the coin’s rim than in regular issues. Only a few thousand of these are known to exist.
What sets this particular coin apart even further is its condition. Despite spending years pressed between old cushions, the coin shows minimal wear and maintains a brilliant luster. It’s now been graded MS67 by a leading coin grading service—an incredibly high rating for a coin that has seen circulation.
Interest from Collectors Soars
Once word got out about the discovery, collectors began contacting the couple through online platforms. Offers reportedly ranged from $250,000 to over $700,000 within a matter of days. Auction houses have expressed interest in listing the coin, with some predicting it could break existing sales records for the Susan B. Anthony series.
“This is one of those stories that makes everyone want to dig through their old furniture or check their change jar,” said a spokesperson from the American Numismatic Association. “These coins are still out there, and sometimes the most valuable finds come from the most unexpected places.”
Still in Circulation?
Though the Susan B. Anthony Dollar hasn’t been minted for general circulation since 1999, many of them remain in use at transit systems and vending machines. That means there’s still a chance of finding one in your daily life—though the odds of discovering a high-value mint error are rare, they’re not impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs..)
Q1: What is the Susan B. Anthony Dollar?
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a U.S. coin minted from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999. It features women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony on the front and is the first U.S. coin to depict a real woman other than a fictional or allegorical figure.
Q2: Why is a Susan B. Anthony Dollar found in a couch cushion considered valuable?
While most Susan B. Anthony Dollars are only worth face value, some rare minting errors or specific dates (like the 1979-P Wide Rim or the 1981-S Type 2 proof) can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars to collectors. If one of these rare coins is found unexpectedly—like in a couch—it’s like striking gold!
Final Thoughts
From couch change to collector’s gold, the story of this Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a reminder that history often hides in plain sight. What may seem like an ordinary coin to most could, under the right circumstances, turn out to be a numismatic treasure.
So the next time your hand slips between the couch cushions or your coin jar overflows, take a closer look. You never know when a piece of America’s monetary history might reveal itself.