The Susan B. Anthony dollar, a coin designed by Frank Gasparro, was originally minted in 1971. It was designed to honor the efforts by Susan B. Anthony on the issues of suffrage and women's rights. As founder the American Equal Rights Association in 1866, she fought for many years to bring women's rights issues to the forefront and has been memorialized in this collectible coin. The face side of this unique coin has a striking portrait of Susan B. Anthony. The reverse side showcases an eagle flying above the moon to depict the Apollo 11 mission. While this is a round coin, it has the appearance of being 11-sided because of the design of the border, differentiating it from other U.S. coins. The Susan B. Anthony dollar can be easily mistaken to be a quarter since it is very near the same size and color. Some vending machines--such as those at the United States Post Office--accepted it, but due to its unpopularity, production was stopped in 1981. It reappeared in 1999 because the supply of dollar coins by the U.S. Mint was exhausted. In 2000, its production was replaced by the gold-colored Sacagawea dollar. As the last coin produced by the San Francisco Mint for regular issue, the Anthony dollar is a coin of interest for many serious collectors as well as hobbyists. The House of Representatives has already passed a bill to end the circulation of the Anthony dollar, putting an end to an era. It is anticipated that the Senate will agree, taking the 910 million Susan B. Anthony dollars out of circulation by the year 2007. As this coin becomes more rare, its value, both in terms of money and history, is expected by many to rise.
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