The government tried to spur the circulation of Anthony dollars, and put up signs in post offices stating that they would be paid out and received there. Although it was realized that the public did not want the coins, the Treasury gamely produced millions more in 1980, followed by a few million more in 1981, at which time the series was terminated. As these words are being written, hundreds of millions of the things are still stored in Treasury vaults. One of these days the public will catch on to them as collectors items, and the Treasury will sell out of them quickly - just wait and see! However, the issues of 1979 in particular, each minted to the extent of many millions, will never be rare.

As a frequent visitor to New York City I remember seeing signs printed in black against an orange dayglo background at entrances to the tunnels and bridges leading to Manhattan, stating that Anthony dollars would be accepted at the toll booths. I considered taking a picture of these signs, but never got around to doing it. I wonder if anyone else did? Such a picture would be a nice numismatic memento.

I find the Anthony dollar to be an attractive little coin, cameo-like in its appearance, and one which is worthy of more attention than it has received. Perhaps the fact that these issues are common has mitigated against their popularity.

Before leaving the subject of Anthony dollars, I admit to having a prejudice in favor of this coin, inasmuch as prior to and during its creation I had a number of conversations and visits with Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, a selfless, dedicated artist with great ideals. Later, after he retired from the Mint and entered private practice, Ray Merena and I commissioned him to design a series of limited edition silver medals for Bowers and Merena Galleries. One of these designs, the Spirit of Liberty created in 1990, was done after Ray and I asked Frank to come up with a design which in his opinion would represent his ideal image of Miss Liberty for use on a coin, had he been able to have had his own way on the subject.

Budget Recommendations: Buy MS-60 to MS-63 and Proof-63 coins as part of a date and mintmark set. Your local bank may be able to supply some for face value.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Buy MS-65 and Proof-65 coins as part of a date and mintmark set. If you want to hoard a few coins, 1981 and 1981-D business strikes are especially cheap now.

Elite Recommendations: Same as the preceding.