In Toledo, Ohio, three sisters inherited a dime kept in a bank vault for over 40 years and were aware of its potential value, but not its exact worth until recently. The dime, struck by the U.S. Mint in San Francisco in 1975, is incredibly rare due to the missing mint mark for San Francisco, with only two known to exist. The other dime was sold at auction for $456,000 in 2019 and later bought by a private collector. These rare dimes were hidden for decades, with their whereabouts unknown since the late 1970s. Coin collectors had been aware of their existence, but few had ever seen one in person.
The mint in San Francisco produced over 2.8 million special uncirculated “proof” sets in 1975, each containing six coins and sold for $7 each. It was only a few years later that collectors discovered that two of the dimes in the sets were missing the mint mark, making them incredibly valuable. The sisters, who inherited one of these rare dimes, wish to remain anonymous given their sudden windfall. Their brother and mother had purchased the first error coin discovered in 1978 for $18,200, which would be equivalent to around $90,000 today. Their parents, who ran a dairy farm, saw the coin as a financial safety net. The sisters were unaware of the dime’s true value until last year when they finally saw it for themselves.
The sisters’ brother had reached out to Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, about the coin seven years ago, but kept it a secret until just a few years ago. When Russell informed one of the sisters about the coin’s potential value, she was astonished and questioned if it was really possible. Now, the coin, known as the “1975 ‘no S’ proof dime,” will be displayed at a coin show in Tampa, Florida, starting Wednesday, before the online auction closes in October. Russell, whose company specializes in currency, believes that there may be more examples of the rare dime out there, but they would only be found among the 1975 “proof” sets and not in regular pocket change.
While the sisters’ sudden wealth from inheriting the rare dime is extraordinary, their story is not unique among collectors. The thrill of discovering a valuable coin after years of ownership, combined with the potential financial windfall, adds to the excitement of collecting rare coins. The rarity of the dime, with only two known to exist without the mint mark, adds to its allure for serious collectors. These coins, hidden for decades, have now resurfaced and are attracting attention in the numismatic world. The history behind the rare dimes and their discovery after years of obscurity adds a layer of intrigue to the story.
The value of the rare dime, estimated to be over $500,000, showcases the potential for significant profits in the coin collecting world. The high prices fetched by rare coins at auctions, such as the 2019 sale of the other “no S” proof dime for $456,000, highlight the intense interest and competition among collectors for these unique pieces. With only two known examples of the rare dime in existence, it is likely to attract considerable attention and bidding at the upcoming auction. The sisters’ unexpected windfall from inheriting the dime serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures that can be found in unexpected places, such as a bank vault in Ohio.
As the rare dime is displayed at the coin show in Tampa and the auction approaches its closing date in October, the excitement and anticipation among collectors are sure to grow. The chance of finding more examples of the rare dime among the 1975 “proof” sets adds an element of mystery to the story. The knowledge that these valuable coins were hidden for decades, only to resurface and potentially change the lives of their owners, creates a sense of adventure and wonder in the numismatic community. The story of the three sisters from Ohio and their inherited dime serves as a testament to the enduring fascination and monetary value of rare coins in the world of collecting.
