I'm guessing because fewer Type 2 were made. It's also known as Flat S. Not that I have a statistical population, but I have found 2 x 1981-S SBA Proofs in the wild and both were Type 1, Rounded S.
4 million 1981-S If you want to believe Littleton: When an old mint mark punch became worn in 1981, its replacement created the elusive Type II, Clear "S" Susan B. Anthony dollars. Because the change happened so late in the production year, only a small fraction of the San Francisco Mint's 1981 dollar Proofs are the prized Clear "S" variety. Only 8% of 1981-S Anthony dollars have the Clear "S" mint mark So I am going to say around 300,000. Which seems over priced at Littleton's $275. My price guide lists it under $150 in PR-65.
I was just curious about the Susie B. because I came across it with some of the odds & ends that I've had for 15+ years. I'm thinking about submitting it next year at the FUN Show because it looks like it should grade about PF68CAM. Are you going to FUN next January, Larry @ldhair ? Chris
Thanks for the Great information, So as I tried to figure out which mint sets were released by the US Mint for that year, my local coin shop referenced his knowledge and said that only at the end of the year; starting with the end of November and thru December these type 2 sets become available through the mint.
Well yes on the page where I got the information they were selling the coin (not the set for $275 which is about triple.) In the USA coin book it is listed at $148 for PR 65 but a DCAM 69 PR is selling for $125 PCGS. Since most of these coins are in the PR 63- PR 66 range the market says most of these coin are under $100. $125 is the top and that's for a very nice super high grade coin.
Hi Got a little info for you. From an overall mintage of 4,063,083 pieces, it has been estimated that 330,000 coins carry the Type 2 mint mark. As such, this variety carries a strong premium whether certified or uncertified. When purchasing an uncertified coin, care should be taken in making certain of the identification. https://susanbanthonydollar.org/1981-s-proof-susan-b-anthony-dollar/