A rare dime depicting President Franklin D. Roosevelt is set to go up for auction after being hidden for decades and discovered by three Ohio sisters. The dime, minted in 1975 in San Francisco, is one of only two known examples missing the “S” mint mark, making it a coveted item among coin collectors. The coin could bring more than $500,000 at auction, according to Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, the company overseeing the online sale ending in October. The sisters, who inherited the coin from their brother, had kept it hidden for years after their family purchased it for $18,200 in 1978, equivalent to around $90,000 today.
After decades of her brother talking about the rare dime, one of the sisters finally saw it for the first time last year, leading to the astonishing discovery of its true value. The coin will be displayed at a coin show in Tampa, Florida, before heading to auction in October where it could spark renewed interest in rare coin collections. Russell believes this discovery could lead to a renewed frenzy of searching for other lost examples of the rare coin, known as the “1975 ‘no S’ proof dime.” The coin is currently being auctioned by GreatCollections, with bidding already up to $250,000. This is the first time the 1975 No S Proof Dime, considered the most important modern U.S. coin, is being auctioned by the company.
In a separate event, an extremely rare gold coin depicting Queen Elizabeth I was sold in 2022 for $770,000 at an auction in Germany, making it the most expensive coin ever auctioned in the country at that time. The coin, called Kampener Rosenoble, was estimated at $274,000 by experts at the Kuenker Auction House in Osnabrück, Germany. The highest bidder, present at the auction hall, remains unidentified. Fritz Kuenker, senior chief of the auction house, stated that such large gold coins are extremely rare. The sale of this gold coin reaffirms the high value placed on rare and unique coins by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Coin collectors have long known about the existence of the “no S” dime, but the mystery of its whereabouts persisted until now. GreatCollections, based in Irvine, California, is overseeing the online auction of this rare dime and has handled many other trophy coins over the years, including two 1913 Nickels and two 1804 Silver Dollars. This 1975 No S Proof Dime represents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most significant modern U.S. coins. The rarity of the coin, combined with its historical significance and high demand among collectors, has led to a surge in bidding for this coveted item.
The discovery of the rare dime has garnered significant attention in the numismatic community and among coin enthusiasts worldwide. The surprise value of the coin, its hidden history, and the family’s decision to keep it as a form of financial security have all contributed to the intrigue surrounding this rare numismatic treasure. The coin’s upcoming auction in October is expected to attract a wide range of collectors, dealers, and investors eager to acquire this unique piece of American coinage history. The story of the three Ohio sisters and their rare dime serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures that may lie undiscovered in collections and estates, waiting to be unearthed and shared with the world.
