The Shocking Truth About How the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Was Created!

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:25:28 +0000

The Shocking Truth About How the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Was Created When you think of Susan B. Anthony as a figure in American history, her name immediately brings to mind the suffrage movement, women’s rights, and the fight for the ballot. But fewer know that her lasting legacy includes a unique—and surprisingly obscure—monetary symbol: the Susan B. Anthony Dollar. Despite its vibrant symbolism, the creation of this coin is steeped in controversy, political intrigue, and unexpected technical twists. Let’s uncover the shocking truth behind one of America’s most curious numismatic moments. ### A Cause More Complicated Than You Thought The Susan B. Anthony Dollar wasn’t invented just for aesthetic homage—it was the brainchild of the U.S. Mint’s ambitious (and often misunderstood) mission in the late 1970s and early 1980s to modernize U.S. coinage. By the 1970s, many coins were too small and prone to wear, especially in daily transactions. The idea was simple but radical: replace the obverse of the dollar coin with Susan B. Anthony’s likeness to honor her as the voice for women’s equality, indirectly supercharging civic engagement through iconic symbolism.