1979 United States Dollar Value
A 1979 United States Dollar is worth roughly $8.45 to $91.22 depending on its condition, and its metal content alone is worth $8.45 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
Melt estimated at the US 0.900 silver standard.
1979 United States Dollar value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $8.45 |
| Good (G-4) | $8.45 to $10.14 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $8.45 to $10.44 |
| Fine (F-12) | $8.45 to $10.95 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $8.45 to $11.66 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $9.33 to $13.18 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $11.49 to $16.22 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $15.79 to $22.30 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $25.13 to $35.47 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $64.61 to $91.22 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
What is the 1979 United States Dollar selling for today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1979 United States Dollar starts around $8.45. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $91.22. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1979 United States Dollar specifications
- Series
- United States Coinage
- Year
- 1979
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Silver
- Weight
- 7.997 g
- Diameter
- 25 mm
- Silver content
- 0.23140 troy oz
No mint mark? Here is why
The 1979 United States Dollar comes from Philadelphia, which struck coins without a mint mark. If the spot where branch-mint coins show a letter is empty on your 1979, that is exactly as it should be.
What makes the 1979 United States Dollar valuable
For the 1979 United States Dollar, surviving examples tell the story that mint records do not. Museum-documented specimens define the issue for collectors.
Every 1979 United States Dollar contains 0.2314 troy ounces of pure silver, currently worth $8.45. That intrinsic value is a hard floor under the price: no matter how worn the coin, the silver inside cannot be graded away.
There is history in a 1979 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
1979 United States Dollar inscriptions & design
Obverse
******* LIBERTY ****** 1979/ IN GOD / WE TRUST
Anthony, bust r., motto r.
Reverse
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/E.PLURIBUS/.UNUM./ONE DOLLAR
eagle flying, holding laurel branch, landing on moon
Measured 1979 United States Dollar specimens
9 physically measured 1979 United States Dollar examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 7.997 g, 25 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 United States Dollar #1 | 7.997 g | 25 mm | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #2 | 8.096 g | 25 mm | - | Breen.5832 |
| 1979 United States Dollar #3 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #4 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #5 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #6 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #7 | - | 39 mm | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #8 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 United States Dollar #9 | - | - | - | - |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1979 United States Dollar is valued between $8.45 and $91.22 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.