The original design dictated that the coin would be an 11-sided hendecagon, but the design was protested by vending machine manufactures who pointed out that existing vending machines could not accept anything other than a round coin without costly retooling. A large quantity of Susan B. Anthony dollars were minted in 1979. The Susan B. Anthony dollar's size and color caused it to be confused with quarters. Had the coin been minted as the originally dictated hendecagon shape, this confusion would not have existed. A small number were minted in 1980. In 1981, the coin was only minted for collectors. In 1982, the Treasury had hundreds of millions of Susan B. Anthony dollars in their vaults and production was ceased.

As years went by, vending machines began taking larger and larger bills, especially transit and other government run systems. This created a higher demand for dollar coins, as it was simpler to give change in dollars than in quarters, dimes & nickels. By 1998, the Treasury's stock of Susan B. Anthony dollars was nearly zero. The Treasury lacked the power to change the design, so in 1999 they began minting Susan B. Anthony dollars. This marks the longest period of time that a United States coin design has ever been on hiatus. In 2000, the Treasury began producing Sacagawea dollars and the Susan B. Anthony dollar was put to rest once again.

The obverse of the coin depicts women's suffrage campaigner Susan B. Anthony. The reverse is a design adapted from the Apollo 11 mission insignia and depicts an eagle flying above the moon with the Earth in the background.

These coins were issued from Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.

Dates Composition Weight Diameter Edge 1977-1981 1999 Core 100% Copper Plating 25% Nickel 75% Copper 8.1 grams 26.5 Reeded