What Was Once Thought to Be Just an Arcade Token Turned Out to Be a Rare and Valuable Coin Worth Over a Million Dollars. It was found that the $1.1M Susan B. Anthony Coin Once Mistaken for an arcade token is a million-dollar exchange.
$1.1M Susan B. Anthony Coin Once Mistaken for Arcade Token
In an astonishing twist, a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin—long dismissed as an arcade token—has stunned the numismatic world by being authenticated and valued at $1.1 million. The coin, which sat in a kitchen junk drawer for over two decades, was only recently examined closely and identified as a rare prototype known as a “Pattern Coin.” This unexpected discovery is now making collectors reexamine every forgotten dollar in their possession.
The Story Behind the Discovery
The coin was found by a retired Navy veteran in Ohio while cleaning out old drawers during a home renovation. He recalled receiving it as change from a vending machine years ago and initially assumed it was a token or novelty coin due to its unusual appearance.
It wasn’t until he took it to a local coin dealer during a community antique appraisal event that its true nature came to light. After being submitted for grading and verification, experts from the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) confirmed that the coin was an extremely rare 1979 Susan B. Anthony “Pattern Strike” minted in pure copper-nickel, one of only a few known to exist.
What Makes This Coin Worth $1.1 Million?
Most Susan B. Anthony coins, minted between 1979 and 1981 (with a brief return in 1999), are only worth face value. However, this particular coin is special due to its unique origins:
- Type: Pattern Coin (Test strike before final production)
- Year: 1979
- Material: Pure copper-nickel alloy
- Edge: Strongly reeded, unlike common business strikes
- Design Details: Sharper Liberty features, full strikes, mirror-like finish
- Mint Location: Philadelphia, but missing the standard mint mark
Pattern coins are trial pieces made to test new designs, dies, or alloys. They are not intended for circulation and are rarely released to the public, which is why their accidental appearance is so astonishing.
Key Features to Identify a Rare Susan B. Anthony Dollar
If you’re curious whether you might have a hidden gem, look for these telltale signs:
| Feature | Rare Pattern Coin | Common SBA Dollar |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 1979 (Pattern Only) | 1979–1981, 1999 |
| Finish | Mirror-like proof | Satin or standard |
| Mint Mark | Absent or incorrect | P, D, or S |
| Material | Unusual alloy (copper-nickel) | Standard copper core |
| Design | Enhanced detail, deep strike | Normal circulation strike |
Coins with unusual features, especially from the eundergo professional grading before anyone dismisses themionally graded before being dismissed as ordinary.
From Junk Drawer to Auction Block
Once authenticated, the coin was submitted to a high-end auction house, where interest quickly built among elite collectors. It eventually sold to a private buyer for a remarkable $1.1 million, setting a record for any Susan B. Anthony coin to date.
The original owner, who had nearly tossed it out several times, now plans to use the windfall to pay off his mortgage and fund his grandchildren’s college education.
What This Means for Coin Collectors and the Public
This discovery has reignited interest in modern U.S. coins that are often ignored or taken for granted. The Susan B. Anthony dollar—initially unpopular due to its similarity to the quarter—has suddenly become a symbol of hidden value.
Collectors are now
- Reviewing old coin jars for rare variants
- Checking for mint errors and pattern designs
- Submitting coins for grading at higher rates
- Taking a closer look at coins dismissed as tokens
Thanks for reading this article with us—before you toss that unusual dollar coin into a tip jar or arcade machine, consider giving it a second look. It might just be your unexpected ticket to a million-dollar surprise.