Coins have long been a source of fascination for collectors, but some surpass their face value to become extraordinary treasures. One such example is the rare 1975 Roosevelt Dime, which originally had a value of just ten cents but recently sold for an eye-popping $506,250 at an online auction. This coin’s unique history and extreme rarity have secured its place as a coveted gem in the world of numismatics.
What Makes the 1975 Dime So Special?
The standout feature of this particular dime is its missing “S” mint mark—an error that sets it apart from other coins of the same year. Normally, the “S” mint mark indicates that the coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint, but for a few rare dimes, that mark was absent. With only two known examples of this minting mistake, the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime has captured the attention of collectors, fetching an astronomical price far beyond its original ten-cent value.
Key Details About the Rare 1975 Dime
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Coin | 1975 Roosevelt Dime |
Unique Feature | Missing “S” mint mark |
Known Examples | Two |
Original Proof Set Price | $7 |
Recent Auction Price | $506,250 |
Previous Record Sale | $456,000 (2019) |
Year of Error Discovery | 1975 |
Understanding the 1975 No-S Dime
At first glance, the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime appears just like any other coin from that year. However, the absence of the “S” mint mark makes it incredibly rare. This mint mark is typically stamped on coins produced in San Francisco, and without it, the dime became one of only two known examples in existence. This rarity has made it one of the most coveted coins in the world of numismatics, elevating its worth far beyond that of a typical ten-cent coin.
How the “S” Mint Mark Disappeared
To fully appreciate the importance of this error, it’s helpful to understand mint marks. U.S. coins are typically stamped with a mint mark to indicate their production origin:
- D for Denver
- P for Philadelphia
- S for San Francisco
- W for West Point
In 1975, the San Francisco Mint produced over 2.8 million proof sets intended for collectors. These coins are meticulously minted to showcase remarkable detail and finish. However, among the millions of proof coins, only two dimes were mistakenly minted without the “S” mint mark, creating an error that wasn’t discovered until after the sets were distributed. This mistake has cemented the No-S Dime’s place in coin-collecting history.
A Family’s Treasure
The story of one of the two known 1975 No-S Dimes is especially moving. The coin was purchased in 1978 for $18,200—an enormous sum at the time. It was passed down through generations, carefully stored in a bank vault for over 40 years. After the original buyer’s passing, the coin was inherited by his sisters, who decided to sell it at auction. In October 2023, it sold for a record-breaking $506,250, turning this family heirloom into a life-changing windfall. For this family, the dime was not just a piece of history—it represented a rare stroke of fortune.
Auction Records Broken