A recent claim has stirred excitement in the numismatic community: a rare 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar was allegedly found in a thrift store register (or “junk box”) and sold for US$14 million.
Because stories of dramatic coin finds often spread quickly, fact and fiction get blurred. This article examines all available information—what is known, what seems doubtful, and what collectors need to watch out for—so you can separate truth from hype.
What Is the Susan B. Anthony Dollar?
- The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar was first issued in 1979, with further issues in 1980, 1981, and then revived in 1999.
- It featured the portrait of suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony, making it the first circulating U.S. coin to depict a real woman rather than an allegorical figure.
- The 1999 minting had Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) marks for circulation coins; proofs also struck in Philadelphia.
The $14 Million Claim: What Was Reported
| Element | What’s Being Claimed | Details Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Coin | 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar | Allegedly “found in a junk box” or “in a thrift store”. |
| Sale Price | US$14,000,000 | Claimed to have sold at auction. |
| Rarity | Extremely high due to condition or unique status | Implied unique, ultra-rare; possibly proof, error, or mint condition. |
| Condition / Certification | Not clearly documented | Reports do not provide verified grading, auction house confirmation, or images from recognized authorities. |
Why Experts Are Skeptical
- Lack of credible documentation: No established numismatic auction house or grading service (such as PCGS or NGC) has confirmed the sale or shown a high-grade certified specimen corresponding to that claim.
- Mintage and abundance: The 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollars were not extremely rare in circulation; many thousands were minted. Unless the coin is an unusual error or proof in near-perfect condition, the baseline value is far lower.
- The $14 million figure seems extremely high when compared to known sales of similarly rare U.S. coins, which tend to reach high prices only under very special circumstances.
What Could Make a 1999-P SBA Dollar Truly Valuable
| Factor | How It Raises Value |
|---|---|
| Proof status (especially PF-70 or PF-69) | Proof coins are struck with greater care; fewer are in perfect condition. |
| Significant mint errors (planchet issues, misstrikes, wrong metal) | Unique errors are very collectible and can fetch large premiums. |
| Exceptional condition (Mint State, uncirculated) | Coins without wear, strong luster, perfect strike, etc. are rare in circulation coins. |
| Unique provenance or authentication | With credible backstory, graded certificate, documented chain of ownership. |
| Low surviving population in high condition | Even if many were minted, very few in top quality greatly increase demand. |
What the Evidence Suggests So Far
- The story of someone finding a 1999-P SBA coin in a thrift store “junk box” and selling it for $14 million cannot be corroborated with auction or grading-authority records.
- Most numismatic analyses conclude the claim is likely a myth or exaggeration rather than a confirmed event.
- That said, some rare varieties of SBA dollars (from 1979, 1980, 1999) are genuine collector favorites, especially for error coins or coins in perfect condition.
Recent Reactions and Community Response
- The numismatic community has raised questions about photographic evidence, grading, and auction house involvement. Lack of these makes the $14 million claim unverified.
- Some online posts and social media share the story, but often without supporting documentation, which is a red flag for collectors.
The story of a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony dollar found in a thrift store register and sold for US$14 million is compelling and captures imaginations—but the evidence so far is weak.
Without verifiable documentation, the claim remains unproven and likely exaggerated. Nonetheless, rare Susan B. Anthony dollars do exist, especially in error forms or perfect condition, and those are legitimately prized by collectors.
If you ever come across a Susan B. Anthony dollar in a jar, thrift store, or register, examine condition, mint mark, proof status, and seek credible grading before assigning high value. Caution, verification, and knowledge are your best tools in distinguishing treasure from tall tale.
FAQs
Could a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony coin ever be worth millions?
Yes—in theory. If an unpublished error or uniquely preserved proof version is authenticated by a major grading service and marketed properly, high values are possible. But millions are exceptional and rare, and there is no verified example yet of one selling for such a sum.
How can one verify if a rare coin claim like this is genuine?
Look for: certified grading (PCGS, NGC, etc.), auction house records, high-quality clear photographs, provenance (ownership history), and third-party expert opinions. If the coin is being offered or reported without these, be cautious.
What are known rare Susan B. Anthony varieties to watch out for?
Some examples include the 1979-P “Wide Rim” vs. “Narrow Rim,” coins struck on wrong planchets (e.g. a Susan B. Anthony design struck on a quarter or Sacagawea planchet), proofs with special mintmark clarity (“Clear S” vs “Filled S”), and well-preserved proof coins from 1979-81 or 1999.