Rare 1975 Dime Without Mint Mark Sells for Over $500,000

A rare 1975 dime has fetched a staggering $506,250 at an auction, making it one of the most valuable error coins in existence.

This unique 1975 proof dime was minted in San Francisco but lacks the standard “S” mint mark, an anomaly that makes it one of just two known examples.

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Struck by the U.S. Mint in San Francisco in 1975, this special dime features President Franklin D. Roosevelt on its obverse. The absence of the “S” mint mark is what sets it apart, making it an extraordinary find for numismatists.

According to Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, the auction for this coin concluded on Sunday, with the final bid reaching $506,250.

The online auction house, based in Irvine, California, facilitated the sale, drawing the attention of serious coin collectors worldwide.

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This particular 1975 no-S proof dime had been kept in a bank vault for over 40 years, safeguarded by an Ohio man who later passed it down to his three sisters.

The siblings, who have chosen to remain anonymous, inherited the extremely rare coin from their brother, who had been a dedicated collector.

Historical Purchase and Investment

Their late brother and mother originally acquired the first discovered no-S proof dime in 1978 for just $18,200. Today, that coin alone is estimated to be worth around $90,000. Their parents, who operated a dairy farm, viewed the rare dime as a financial investment and safety net for the family.

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This recently auctioned coin is the only other known 1975 no-S proof dime, aside from the one that previously sold at an auction in 2019 for $456,000, later being resold to a private collector.

Why Is the 1975 No-S Dime So Rare?

The San Francisco Mint produced over 2.8 million proof sets in 1975, each containing six coins and originally sold for $7 per set.

However, collectors later discovered that two dimes from these proof sets were missing the “S” mint mark, making them highly sought-after error coins.

1975 No-S Dime Auction Prices Over the Years

As demonstrated in the table above, the value of these rare dimes has increased exponentially over time, making them one of the most valuable Roosevelt dimes ever sold.

What Makes Mint Error Coins So Valuable?

Certain minting errors make coins significantly more valuable, especially when they are rare and well-documented.

In the case of the 1975 no-S proof dime, its scarcity and historical significance have elevated its worth. Factors that influence the value of error coins include:

• Limited known specimens (only two exist in this case)
• High-quality proof striking
• Demand among collectors
• Unique minting anomalies

The recent sale of the 1975 no-S proof dime at over $500,000 underscores the incredible value of rare mint error coins.

With only two known examples, this dime remains a highly coveted piece among numismatists and serious collectors.

Given the rising value of such coins, it’s always worth taking a closer look at old coin collections—you might just discover a hidden treasure!

FAQs

How many 1975 no-S proof dimes exist?

Only two known examples of the 1975 no-S proof dime have been discovered so far.

Why does the absence of the ‘S’ mint mark make this coin valuable?

The San Francisco Mint was expected to include the S mint mark on all proof dimes. The absence of the mark is an extremely rare minting error.

What was the previous auction record for this coin?

In 2019, another 1975 no-S proof dime sold for $456,000, demonstrating the increasing value of these error coins.