(1979) Dollar Pattern - J-2176

Coin Details

Description

An undated or circa-1979 dollar pattern from the Susan B. Anthony dollar development program, cataloged without a confirmed date. The parenthetical year indicates this piece was produced during the final stages of the SBA dollar's development, as a test of composition, size, or edge configuration before production commenced. The SBA dollar program, authorized by the Act of October 10, 1978 (Public Law 95-447), specified a small-format dollar coin 26.5mm in diameter — only 2.3mm larger than a quarter — in copper-nickel clad composition. The coin's similar size, weight, and color to the quarter would prove to be its fatal flaw, generating intense public backlash that limited circulation acceptance. J-2176 may represent one of the alternative formats considered during the development process — a different diameter, thickness, or edge treatment designed to address the anticipated size-confusion problem. The 'undated' or parenthetical-year designation in the Judd catalog typically indicates either that the piece bears no date or that the date is undocumented based on available evidence.

Rarity Notes

R-8 (Extremely Rare). SBA development patterns are very scarce, with most retained in Mint archives.

Cross References

Judd J-2176