Introduction:
A Great Collections auction recently made headlines when a Maryland-bought 1975 dime bag from someone’s attic was sold for an amazing sum of $506,250.
The successful auction has raised eyebrows among the global coin collectors’ community, as the price is one of the highest ever recorded for a single dime.
But what is special about this coin that its worth is more than five hundred thousand dollars? A Cycling Minting defect, which has created one of the rarest Roosevelt dimes in existence, is the explanation.
Such a “S” denoted Roosevelt coin without S Mint mark in so called “Western” style seems to be a solitary case in US coin age production.
The transaction of this unusual dime however, shows how even the smallest and most simple things within the world of numismatics can create great worth. Besides, this particular tale also works as a motivational illustration of where the real hidden treasures can exist; when people least expect it.
The Story Behind the 1975 Dime with a Missing Mint Mark:
The dimes made in the year of the Lord 1975 featured the familiar profile of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt which has appeared on U.S. dimes ever since the year nineteen forty-six.
For example, this coin was produced at San Francisco Mint at a time when a couple of production adjustments were implemented in that very year. Typically, each completed image was finished off with an “S” mint mark and those coins with the S mint mark are said to be minted in San Francisco.
However, the history of this coin bear a different narration. In an awe inspiring rare minting error never witnessed before, this coin was produced but did not carry the ‘S’ marking, thus, dream car error for the millennium collectors.
The coin’s story became even more personal when three sisters from Ohio were bequeathed the coin by their brother. The Family had bought this enrolled dime in 1978, at the cost of $18200 which was a lot of money for the caliber of the coin.
The sisters adhering to their brother’s tradition of keeping the coin intact, locked it away in a bank for over 40 years.
To the sisters, this ubiquitous dime held significance beyond that of the family’s love for their restrained spending and their brother’s adoration for collecting coins. As the coin gained in value, so did its sentimental worth. They kept the coin in the way their brother had — the family’s history inscribed on the coin, as well as the coin itself.
If not for this incomplete mint mark, the dime would have remained as just another common piece of currency. The emotional weight of an imperfect dime manages to connect two family trees separated by a time span, as great as the grandchildren’s years of innocence from their grandparents’.
The sisters’ determination to maintain, and with it the lapse of many generations, this particular numismatic piece, ensured its existence as the second one out of the two pieces known to exist of such a die error.
Understanding Minting Errors: The Case of the ‘No S’ Proof Dime:
Mistakes made by mints in producing coins often results in currency that is worth more than its face value. These errors, while relatively common, are exceptional in that they convert placid money into exciting and worthwhile collections.
An interesting perspective is the 1975 ‘No S’ proof dime error from the U.S. Mint. Proof coins are usually:
- Multiple strikes from specially polished dies
- Careful inspection before release
- Distinct mint marks identifying their origin
Where to Find Rare Coins:
- Coin exhibitions and exhibitions
- Sales of real estate and trades
- Management of professional numismatics
- Credible selling platforms on the internet
Despite economic downturns, demand for unique and rare collections of coins is among collectors, who are willing to pay high-end prices for the special cliques. Writing up of this, collections takes not only skill but also time and careful verification.
The determination of the monetary worth of coins will also require familiarity with grading systems, preservation techniques, and general market principles.
It is a reminder that the story of the 1975 ‘no S’ proof issue tenth, appreciative treasures can come out of banal proof sets. Your next precious object may be concealed in neglected old collections or in research of plain objects with rare traits.
It is important to have knowledge about the valuation of coins as this helps in determining the right weight to put behind a decision on whether to buy or sell a coin.
Conclusion:
This intriguing narrative about the 1975 ‘no S’ proof dime demonstrates that there are always surprises in the art of numismatics. Souvenirs of old collections, heirloom coins, or even the ordinary change that one carries in the pocket may all perhaps contain some precious coins.
So, then, how can one walk into the exciting world of rare coins.