A sensational headline has been circulating: a rare 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar discovered in a junk box supposedly sold for US$14 million.
But is this real? And if so, what makes a 1999 Susan B. Anthony coin valuable? This article separates fact from fiction, lays out the known statistics, and gives collectors what they need to know to decide whether the rumor holds up.
What We Do Know About the 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin series was minted in 1979-1981, and again in 1999. Some key facts:
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Mint years | 1979-81, and again 1999 |
| Mint marks in 1999 | “P” (Philadelphia) and “D” (Denver) for circulation; proof coins also struck in Philadelphia only; no “S” mint mark in 1999 proofs |
| Number minted (1999) | ~ 41,368,000 in total circulation strikes: ~29,592,000 at Philadelphia, ~11,776,000 at Denver. |
| Composition / specs | Copper-nickel clad, weight ~8.1 grams, diameter ~26.5 mm, reeded edge. |
The $14 Million Claim: What Are People Saying?
Here are the details commonly asserted in recent reports:
- A 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar was allegedly found among a lot of junk (thrift-store bin, box of random coins) and identified by a collector.
- The coin supposedly sold for US$14,000,000 at auction due to its rarity or unique condition.
- The story emphasizes it is a “find of a lifetime”—that someone almost threw it away, etc.
Why Experts Are Skeptical
Despite the exciting headlines, there are reasons to doubt:
- No credible auction record: No established numismatic auction house or coin-grading service appears to have published documentation confirming a real sale of a 1999-P Anthony dollar for $14 million.
- Rarity doesn’t equate to impossibly high value: Even rare coins typically fetch values based on condition, proof status, mint error, or unique features—not simply age. The 1999-P Anthony was minted in the millions, reducing its intrinsic rarity compared to extremely limited issues or errors.
- Proof vs circulation vs error: The most valuable coins are usually proofs, mint errors, or ones with very low mintage or extreme condition (grades like MS-67, PF-70 etc.). There’s no independent verification that this coin was a proof or had an error or ultra-high grade.
- Lack of numismatic verification: No grading service (like PCGS or NGC) listings appear to show such a coin in their registry or auction archives at that price.
What Would Make a 1999-P Anthony Dollar Valuable
Here are the factors that would drive up the value of such a coin:
| Factor | How It Affects Value |
|---|---|
| Proof status | Proof coins (especially PF-70, flawless) usually carry much higher premiums. |
| Mint errors or misstrikes | Off-center, double-strike, wrong planchets etc. errors dramatically increase value. |
| Grading/condition | Mint State, deep luster, no wear, perfect surfaces. |
| Scarcity / low mintage | If it’s a very limited special issue, or mis-minted with something unusual. |
| Provenance | If it has a well documented ownership history, or comes from a known collection. |
Summarised Comparison
| Claim | What is Being Claimed | What Verified Data Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Coin sold for $14 million | A 1999-P Anthony dollar sale for $14,000,000 in 2025 | No credible auction confirmation / no records in established databases |
| Found in “junk box” / thrift store | Dramatic discovery narrative | Typical 1999-P coins are actually fairly common in circulation and in collections; many survive in uncirculated condition |
| Truly ultra-rare condition or error | Suggests unique error or perfect proof | No verified details of such being authenticated yet |
The story of a $14 million 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar found in a junk box is exciting, but as of now, it remains unverified and likely a myth or exaggeration.
While the 1999 Anthony dollar has interesting features and some versions are collectible, the known mintage, availability, and lack of documented sales suggest that the $14 million claim is very doubtful. Collectors should always seek verification, proper grading, and documented proof before accepting sensational claims.
FAQs
Could a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar ever be worth millions?
In theory, if it were a unique error coin or proof in absolutely perfect condition, with very strong authentication, it might reach high auction values—but millions like $14 million is extremely unlikely given what is known about its mintage figures and the market.
How do collectors verify if such a claim is real?
They check reputable auction catalogs, coin grading service registries (e.g. PCGS, NGC), ask for provenance, inspect coin grading, and see third-party confirmation. Also compare to past verified sales.
What is the typical value of a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony coin in good condition?
For a standard circulated or lightly circulated 1999-P Anthony dollar, typical values are modest—often close to face value ($1) up to tens or low hundreds of dollars, depending on condition and grading.