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1979 Lincoln Cent Date Guide

Susan B. Anthony dollar debuts

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1979 overview Mintage, history, and notes for this year's cents

Philadelphia (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
3,560,940,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(71 of 126)

Denver (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,139,357,254
Mintage Ranking for Type
(58 of 126)

San Francisco (MS)

Mintage
751,725,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(110 of 126)

West Point (MS)

Mintage
1,705,850,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(94 of 126)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
3,677,175
Mintage Ranking for Type
(9 of 54)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
3,677,175
Mintage Ranking for Type
(9 of 54)

1979 in history

1979 in history
  • The Susan B. Anthony dollar entered circulation in July but was often confused with quarters.
  • The Mint hoped the coin would reduce printing costs for one-dollar Federal Reserve notes.
  • The Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania raised fears about reactor safety.
  • The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, beginning a decade-long occupation.
  • Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom.
  • The ESPN cable network launched, eventually changing sports media.
  • Sony introduced the Walkman portable cassette player in Japan.
  • The Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah; Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile.

1979 Lincoln cent year notes

Collector notes for 1979 Lincoln cents are being prepared.

Images/Mintage Mint issues and coin images for 1979

Philadelphia (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
3,560,940,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(71 of 126)

Denver (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,139,357,254
Mintage Ranking for Type
(58 of 126)

San Francisco (MS)

Mintage
751,725,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(110 of 126)

West Point (MS)

Mintage
1,705,850,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(94 of 126)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
3,677,175
Mintage Ranking for Type
(9 of 54)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
3,677,175
Mintage Ranking for Type
(9 of 54)
1979 in history What else was happening that year
1979 in history
  • The Susan B. Anthony dollar entered circulation in July but was often confused with quarters.
  • The Mint hoped the coin would reduce printing costs for one-dollar Federal Reserve notes.
  • The Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania raised fears about reactor safety.
  • The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, beginning a decade-long occupation.
  • Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom.
  • The ESPN cable network launched, eventually changing sports media.
  • Sony introduced the Walkman portable cassette player in Japan.
  • The Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah; Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile.
1979 cent notes Collector notes for this year's Lincoln cents

Collector notes for 1979 Lincoln cents are being prepared.

Design types Obverse and reverse engravings in use for 1979

Obverse design types (ODT)

See the design types reference. Design types identify engraved designs; when differing designs create collectible alternatives within a year, see Lincoln cent design varieties.

Mint mark types Punch styles used on 1979 Lincoln cents

See the mint mark types reference.

Typical values Series price guide for regular-issue 1979 cents

1979 Lincoln cents from the CopperCoins series price guide (August/September 2026 edition) — approximate values only, not offers to buy or sell. Business strikes show separate BN, RB, and RD lines where priced.

Business strike

Issue G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50
1979-P BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1979-P RB
1979-P RD
1979-D BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1979-D RB
1979-D RD
Issue G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50
1979-P BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1979-P RB
1979-P RD
1979-D BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1979-D RB
1979-D RD
Die varieties in the catalog Attributed 1979 dies by mint and variety type

Our attribution catalog for 1979—doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and related varieties documented by die number. This is specialist research beyond regular issue Lincoln cents.

Search all 1979 dies Variety value guide for 1979

Catalogued dies for 1979

Number of assigned dies in the CopperCoins catalog, by mint and variety type. Click a count to search that group.

Mint MM Repunched Mint Mark Total
Denver (D) 3 3
All mints 3 3

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