In a twist that sounds almost too wild to believe, a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin recently rejected by a standard vending machine has now been identified as a rare collectible—valued at nearly $900,000.
A surprising discovery unfolded when a coin collector in Pennsylvania tried to buy a soda using a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin. The vending machine repeatedly declined the coin. Instead of discarding it, the collector kept the coin and shared a photo on a coin forum. This sparked a wave of responses from coin experts, leading to an astonishing finding.
A Coin With a Hidden Story
The coin was a 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar, part of the initial batch featuring the famous women’s rights advocate. Though millions were minted from 1979 to 1981, and again briefly in 1999, very few possess the rare characteristics seen on this specific coin.
Specialists who inspected the coin found an extremely uncommon minting error: it was struck on a planchet meant for another coin denomination, an error that happens when the wrong metal blank is used. It also had a misaligned strike and unusually crisp details, indicating it was made early in the minting process.
From Pocket Change to Fortune
The incredible part is the coin’s journey. The Susan B. Anthony dollar has long been overlooked by collectors because it closely resembles the quarter and wasn’t popular in everyday transactions. Many coins ended up in cash registers and vending machines, unnoticed for their unique traits.
However, interest is growing.
Collectors are now paying closer attention to these once-overlooked coins. Recently, Susan B. Anthony dollars with minting errors or special finishes have sold at auctions for six-figure prices. But nearly $900,000? That places this coin among the most valuable finds ever.
Why Was It Rejected?
You might wonder why a vending machine would reject such a valuable coin. Most machines check coins by weight, size, and electromagnetic properties. This coin’s misstrike and incorrect planchet caused it to fail these tests, leading the machine to reject it as counterfeit or invalid—despite it being authentic and extremely rare.
Ironically, this rejection brought the coin to attention and helped reveal its true value.
What This Means for Coin Collectors
This story is not just a one-time lucky event but a reminder to many that valuable coins could be hiding in plain sight—in wallets, jars, or coin collections.
Though the Susan B. Anthony dollar isn’t as famous as coins like the Morgan or Peace dollar, it is proving to be a hidden gem. Coins with rare errors, wrong planchets, or unique characteristics are now highly sought after, and stories like this increase interest among collectors.
Experts Weigh In
Top numismatists consider this one of the most exciting Susan B. Anthony discoveries in recent years. One expert said, “This is what numismatics is all about. A coin almost rejected by a machine has turned into a life-changing find.”
The coin is currently being professionally graded and authenticated and is expected to be auctioned later this year.
Final Thoughts
The old saying “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure” couldn’t be more true here. A “rejected” coin turned out to be worth nearly a million dollars. So next time a vending machine spits out your coin, take a moment to examine it—you might have a valuable piece of history right in your pocket.
FAQ
Q: Why was the Susan B. Anthony dollar rejected by the vending machine?
A: The coin’s weight, size, and electromagnetic signature didn’t match what the machine expects due to a minting error, causing it to be rejected.
Q: How rare is this Susan B. Anthony dollar coin?
A: Extremely rare, as it was struck on the wrong planchet with misaligned features, making it a unique collectible.
Q: What is the estimated value of this rare coin?
A: Experts value it close to $900,000 due to its rarity and condition.
Q: Can other Susan B. Anthony dollars be valuable?
A: Yes, especially those with minting errors or unique features can be highly valuable to collectors.
