In an unbelievable twist that sounds like a movie plot, a worn-out Susan B. Anthony dollar coin accidentally tossed into a laundromat dryer has rewritten numismatic history. Discovered in an everyday setting, this unassuming coin recently stunned collectors by selling for $39,500 at a high-profile auction — all because of a rare mint error and a very unexpected backstory.
Found in a Dryer: An Unlikely Coin Discovery
This incredible story began inside a New Jersey laundromat, where the owner was performing routine maintenance on an old industrial dryer. While cleaning out years of dust and lint, he came across a grimy coin wedged behind the drum. Thinking it was just another worn dollar, he casually tossed it into his change container.
Enter a curious coin enthusiast, who happened to be using the laundromat. He quickly noticed something unusual about the coin’s edge and weight — sparking a closer look that would change everything.
A Rare Mint Error Hidden in Plain Sight
What initially looked like a damaged coin was actually a rare mint error. The 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar had been mistakenly struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet — a blank meant for five-cent pieces, not dollar coins. This error made the coin smaller and lighter than normal and gave it an unmistakably unusual appearance.
Minting errors like this are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors. Even more rare is finding one that survived years inside a dryer, yet still retained enough detail to be authenticated.
One-of-a-Kind Auction Buzz
After its discovery, the coin was submitted to PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), where it was officially verified as a genuine error coin. The story, combined with the coin’s uniqueness, generated intense buzz in the collector community.
At a major numismatic auction in Chicago, bidding began at a modest estimate of $8,000 to $10,000. But as the story spread, so did the excitement — and in just minutes, the final bid reached an astonishing $39,500.
Collectors called it a “once-in-a-lifetime discovery,” with one bidder claiming the coin “belongs in a museum or documentary.”
The Forgotten Legacy of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar
First introduced in 1979, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was widely criticized for looking too much like a quarter. As a result, it never gained much popularity in circulation and was quickly phased out, only to be revived briefly in the late 1990s.
Despite its short-lived use, collectors have long known that rare error coins from this series are out there — and this dryer-found specimen proves just how valuable they can be.
What This Means for Everyday Coin Hunters
This story is more than just a fun headline — it’s a powerful reminder that valuable coins can show up in the most unexpected places. Whether it’s a laundry machine, couch cushion, or a jar of old change, potential treasures could be hiding in your everyday life.
Minting errors, off-center strikes, and wrong planchets are all worth watching for. While most coins won’t bring in thousands, even modest errors can sell for hundreds of dollars.
Tips for Identifying Rare Coin Errors
Want to start checking your own change? Here’s what to look for:
- Odd size or weight: Compare suspicious coins to others of the same type
- Blank edges or missing features: Some errors lack edge lettering or standard details
- Double strikes or off-center designs: Easy to spot and often valuable
- Planchet mix-ups: Coins struck on the wrong blanks, like this Susan B. Anthony
If you think you’ve found something unusual, have it examined by a certified grading service like PCGS or NGC before taking it to auction.
Final Thoughts: A Coin That Tumbled Into History
This rare Susan B. Anthony dollar might have survived years of spinning inside a dryer, but it emerged to make headlines — proving that even worn and overlooked coins can hold incredible value.
So, the next time you’re cleaning out the dryer or checking your pocket change, take a closer look. Hidden treasures are out there, waiting to be discovered — and they just might be in your laundry.