Missing Mint Mark Makes Farm Family’s Dime a Half-Million Dollar Treasure
In an extraordinary turn of events that has captivated coin collectors nationwide, a rare 1975 dime from an Ohio farm family has sold for an astounding $506,250 at auction, marking one of the most remarkable numismatic sales of 2024.
The story begins in the heartland of America, where three Ohio sisters recently inherited what appeared to be a simple dime from their late brother. But this wasn’t just any ten-cent piece.
This particular coin, minted in San Francisco in 1975, belongs to an ultra-rare category of proof dimes missing the distinctive “S” mint mark. Only two such dimes are known to exist in the world.
Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections Auction House in Irvine, California, handled the historic sale that concluded this Sunday. “This coin represents one of the most significant mint errors in modern U.S. coinage,” Russell explained. The sale price reflects its incredible rarity and historical importance.
The coin’s journey to this remarkable auction began in 1978 when the family, who ran a dairy farm in Ohio, made an investment that would change their lives. The brother and his mother bought the error coin for $18,200—equivalent to about $90,000 in today’s money. Recognizing its potential value, they tucked it away in a bank vault, where it remained safely hidden for over four decades.
What makes this dime so special? In 1975, the San Francisco Mint produced more than 2.8 million proof sets, each containing six coins and selling for just $7. However, eagle-eyed collectors later discovered that two dimes from these sets were missing the crucial “S” mint mark that typically identifies coins made in San Francisco.
The other known example of this rare dime made headlines in 2019 when it sold for $456,000 before changing hands again to a private collector shortly after. This recent sale of $506,250 sets a new benchmark for this particular error coin’s value.
The three sisters who inherited the coin chose to remain anonymous, but their story highlights how a simple farming family’s careful investment transformed into a life-changing windfall. Their parents’ decision to view the coin as a financial safety net proved remarkably prescient.
This sale brings fresh attention to the fascinating world of numismatics, where small details like a missing mint mark can turn a simple dime into a treasure worth half a million dollars. The coin features the familiar profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, making it even more historically significant.
For coin collectors and casual observers alike, this sale proves that extraordinary value can hide in the most ordinary places. It also demonstrates how careful preservation and patience can turn a modest investment into a remarkable financial triumph.
As this rare dime changes hands once again, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of numismatic treasures and the surprising ways in which family heirlooms can transform from simple keepsakes into valuable pieces of American monetary history.