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1921 Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar: History, Value, And Rarity

butchkaliva January 02, 2025

What is the significance of the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar?

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a United States one-dollar coin that was struck from 1921 to 1935 and again in 1978 and 1979. It is the first U.S. coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse (heads) side.

The coin was designed by Anthony de Francisci and features a likeness of Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement. The reverse (tails) side of the coin features an American eagle landing on the Moon, commemorating the Apollo 11 mission.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was initially unpopular due to its small size and weight, which made it difficult to distinguish from other coins in circulation. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a significant coin in U.S. history. It is the first coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse, and it commemorates the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. The coin is also a reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States.

1921 Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a significant coin in U.S. history for several reasons. Here are seven key aspects of the coin:

First coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse
Commemorates the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon
Designed by Anthony de Francisci
Struck from 1921 to 1935 and again in 1978 and 1979
Unpopular at first due to its small size and weight
Gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century
A reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States

These seven aspects highlight the historical significance of the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar. The coin is a testament to the progress of the women's suffrage movement and the achievements of women in the United States.

1. First coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was the first U.S. coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse (heads) side. This was a significant milestone in the history of U.S. coinage, as it represented a departure from the traditional depiction of women on coins as allegorical figures.

The choice of Susan B. Anthony to be the first woman featured on a U.S. coin was also significant. Anthony was a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, and her image on the coin served as a reminder of the struggle for women's rights.

The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was not initially popular, due in part to its small size and weight. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the progress of the women's suffrage movement and the achievements of women in the United States. The coin is also a testament to the power of coinage to commemorate important historical events and figures.

2. Commemorates the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon

The reverse (tails) side of the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar features an American eagle landing on the Moon, commemorating the Apollo 11 mission. This was a significant event in human history, as it marked the first time that humans had set foot on the Moon.

The choice to commemorate the Apollo 11 mission on the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was fitting, as it represented a major achievement for the United States and for humankind. The coin served as a reminder of the power of human ingenuity and the importance of exploration.

The Apollo 11 mission was also a major milestone in the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The successful landing on the Moon gave the United States a major victory in this competition and helped to boost national pride.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the Apollo 11 mission and the importance of space exploration. The coin is also a testament to the power of coinage to commemorate important historical events.

3. Designed by Anthony de Francisci

Anthony de Francisci was a renowned Italian-American sculptor and coin designer. He was commissioned to design the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar, which was the first U.S. coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse (heads) side.

Artistic style
De Francisci's design for the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is characterized by its simple, yet elegant style. The obverse of the coin features a realistic portrait of Susan B. Anthony, while the reverse features an American eagle landing on the Moon. De Francisci's use of negative space and bold lines creates a timeless design that is both visually appealing and easy to recognize.
Historical significance
The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a significant coin in U.S. history, as it was the first coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse. The choice of Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, was a bold statement at the time. The coin served as a reminder of the struggle for women's rights and the progress that had been made.
Legacy
The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was not initially popular, due in part to its small size and weight. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century. De Francisci's design for the coin is still considered to be one of the most beautiful and iconic coin designs in U.S. history.

De Francisci's design for the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a testament to his skill as an artist and his commitment to social justice. The coin is a reminder of the struggle for women's rights and the importance of commemorating important historical events.

4. Struck from 1921 to 1935 and again in 1978 and 1979

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was struck from 1921 to 1935 and again in 1978 and 1979. This means that the coin was produced during two distinct periods, with a gap of over 40 years in between.

There are several reasons why the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was struck again in 1978 and 1979. One reason is that the coin was originally intended to replace the Morgan dollar, which was a large and heavy coin that was difficult to use in vending machines. However, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was not initially popular, due to its small size and weight, which made it difficult to distinguish from other coins in circulation.

In 1978, the United States Mint decided to strike the Susan B. Anthony dollar again in an effort to increase its popularity. The new coins were struck with a different composition, which made them more durable and easier to distinguish from other coins. The Mint also changed the design of the coin slightly, adding a reeded edge to make it easier to grip.

The 1978 and 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars were not as popular as the Mint had hoped, but they did remain in circulation for several years. The coins were eventually discontinued in 1981, but they are still legal tender today.

The fact that the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was struck again in 1978 and 1979 is a reminder of the challenges that the United States Mint faced in trying to introduce a new coin. The Mint has since learned from its mistakes, and the coins that it produces today are generally well-received by the public.

5. Unpopular at first due to its small size and weight

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was unpopular at first due to its small size and weight. This was a major problem, as it made the coin difficult to distinguish from other coins in circulation, such as the dime and the quarter.

Size
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was significantly smaller than the Morgan dollar, which it was intended to replace. This made it difficult to use in vending machines and other devices that were designed for larger coins.
Weight
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was also lighter than the Morgan dollar. This made it easier to counterfeit, as criminals could simply use a lighter metal to create fake coins.

The small size and weight of the Susan B. Anthony dollar were major factors in its initial unpopularity. These problems were eventually addressed in 1978, when the Mint struck the coin with a different composition and added a reeded edge. However, the Susan B. Anthony dollar never fully regained its popularity, and it was eventually discontinued in 1981.

The unpopularity of the Susan B. Anthony dollar is a reminder of the challenges that the United States Mint faces when introducing a new coin. The Mint must carefully consider the size, weight, and composition of a new coin in order to ensure that it is both popular and difficult to counterfeit.

6. Gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was initially unpopular due to its small size and weight. However, the coin eventually gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century. There are several reasons for this:

The coin's design was simple and elegant. Anthony de Francisci's design for the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is characterized by its simple, yet elegant style. The obverse of the coin features a realistic portrait of Susan B. Anthony, while the reverse features an American eagle landing on the Moon. De Francisci's use of negative space and bold lines creates a timeless design that is both visually appealing and easy to recognize.
The coin was made of durable materials. The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was struck in a variety of metals, including silver, copper-nickel, and clad. This made the coin durable and resistant to wear and tear. The coin's durability was a major factor in its popularity, as it could withstand the rigors of everyday use.
The coin was widely circulated. The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was widely circulated throughout the United States. This made the coin familiar to the public, and it helped to increase its popularity. The coin's wide circulation also made it easier for people to obtain, which contributed to its popularity.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the power of good design and durable materials. The coin's simple, yet elegant design and its durability made it a popular choice for everyday use. The coin's wide circulation also helped to increase its popularity, making it one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century.

7. A reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. Susan B. Anthony was a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, and her image on the coin served as a reminder of the progress that had been made and the work that still needed to be done.

The coin's design
The obverse of the coin features a realistic portrait of Susan B. Anthony. This was a bold statement at the time, as it was the first time that a woman other than Liberty had been featured on a U.S. coin. The coin's design served as a reminder of the importance of women's suffrage and the contributions that women had made to American society.
The coin's circulation
The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was widely circulated throughout the United States. This meant that the coin was seen by millions of people every day. The coin's circulation served as a constant reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage and the progress that had been made.
The coin's symbolism
The Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a symbol of women's suffrage. The coin is a reminder of the struggle for women's rights and the importance of commemorating important historical events.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. The coin's design, circulation, and symbolism all served to remind Americans of the importance of women's rights and the progress that had been made.

FAQs about the 1921 Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a unique and historically significant coin. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this coin:

Question 1: Why was the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar unpopular at first?

Answer: The coin was unpopular at first due to its small size and weight, which made it difficult to distinguish from other coins in circulation.

Question 2: Why was Susan B. Anthony chosen to be featured on the coin?

Answer: Susan B. Anthony was a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, and her image on the coin served as a reminder of the progress that had been made and the work that still needed to be done.

Question 3: What is the significance of the American eagle landing on the Moon on the reverse of the coin?

Answer: The American eagle landing on the Moon commemorates the Apollo 11 mission, which was a major milestone in human history.

Question 4: What is the composition of the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar?

Answer: The coin was struck in a variety of metals, including silver, copper-nickel, and clad.

Question 5: Is the 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar still in circulation today?

Answer: The coin was discontinued in 1981, but it is still legal tender today.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States and the importance of commemorating important historical events. The coin is a testament to the power of coinage to educate and inspire.

Conclusion

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a unique and historically significant coin. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a woman other than Liberty on its obverse, and it commemorates the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. The coin was initially unpopular due to its small size and weight, but it eventually gained acceptance and became one of the most popular U.S. coins of the 20th century.

The 1921 Susan B. Anthony silver dollar is a reminder of the progress of the women's suffrage movement in the United States and the importance of commemorating important historical events. The coin is a testament to the power of coinage to educate and inspire.