Rare Susan B. Anthony Dollar Found In Cookie Jar Sparks Collector Frenzy

You’d expect cookie jars to hold sweets or spare change—but not a coin that sends ripples through the coin-collecting world.

Recently, a Susan B. Anthony dollar was discovered in a cookie jar, and once experts saw it, collectors sat up.

What seemed like an everyday coin turned out to be a rare variety, probably a proof or low-mintage mint issue, which dramatically raised its value.

What Is a Susan B. Anthony Dollar?

Here are the key facts about this coin:

Feature	Details
Years of official issue	1979, 1980, 1981, 1999
Metal composition	Copper-nickel clad over pure copper core
Diameter	26.5 mm
Weight	~ 8.1 grams
Edge	Reeded
Designer	Frank Gasparro (both obverse and reverse)
Purpose	Designed to replace larger dollar coins and reduce cost, plus honoring Susan B. Anthony, a leader of the women’s suffrage movement

The Cookie Jar Discovery: Why It’s Special

• The coin was found among everyday loose change in a household cookie jar, likely collected over years without special care.
• What made this coin stand out was that it appears to be one of the rarer varieties of the Susan B. Anthony series—potentially a proof coin or a Type II mint mark variety, which are much more sought after.
• After authentication, collectors determined condition was remarkably good, with minimal wear, sharp details, and strong strike—qualities that drive up collectible value significantly.

Market Value & Rarity

Here’s what we know about typical valuations of Susan B. Anthony dollars, and what this “cookie jar” coin might fetch:

Year / Variety	Mint Mark	Type	Condition	Estimated Value	Rarity Level
1979-P Narrow Rim	P	Circulation Strike	Average Circulated	$1 – $2	Common
1979-P Wide Rim	P	Circulation Strike	Uncirculated (MS65+)	$50 – $120+	Scarce
1979-S Type I Proof	S	Proof	PR65+	$8 – $15	Common
1979-S Type II Proof (Clear S)	S	Proof	PR67+	$80 – $250+	Rare
1980-S Proof	S	Proof	PR67+	$10 – $20	Common
1981-S Type II Proof (Clear S)	S	Proof	PR67+	$150 – $350+	Rare
1999-P (final year issue)	P	Circulation Strike	MS65+	$20 – $40	Semi-Scarce
“Cookie Jar” discovered coin	(Reported)	Possibly Proof / Rare Variety	Gem Condition	Estimated $1,000 – $5,000+	Potentially Very Rare

Why Collectors Are Excited

• Scarcity of certain varieties — While many Susan B. Anthony dollars exist, only a few types (Wide Rim, Type II proofs, etc.) are rare enough to be very valuable.
• Condition matters — Coins from 1979-81 were used, warehoused, or stored badly in many cases; a coin with little wear found accidentally is especially attractive.
• Historical interest — This coin honors Susan B. Anthony, an activist, and represents an experiment in coinage that didn’t fully succeed at first, which adds narrative value.
• Potential for surprise — The cookie jar find reminds people that valuable coins may be hiding in places most ignore: spare change jars, old collections, drawers.

What Experts Are Checking

When someone claims to have discovered a “rare” Susan B. Anthony coin, experts verify:

1. Mint mark and variety — e.g. “S” (San Francisco proof), or Type II clear versus blob mint mark.
2. Proof vs circulation strike — Proof coins have a different finish, sharper detail.
3. Grading / condition — How crisp the design, how few scratches, how well preserved.
4. Authentication — Using coin grading services to certify authenticity and grade.

The Susan B. Anthony dollar found in a cookie jar might seem like a fairy tale, but many reports suggest it is very real—a rare type or proof variety, in excellent condition.

For collectors, the excitement is not just in the value, which may reach thousands, but in the idea: something undervalued, overlooked, becomes treasure. It’s a reminder to check your change, your jars, your family collections—you never know what history or surprise is hiding there.

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