Imagine inheriting a single dime… and later discovering it’s worth nearly half a million dollars. 
That’s exactly what happened to three sisters in Ohio, who unknowingly held one of the rarest modern U.S. coins inside a bank vault for over 40 years.
Let’s break down what makes this dime so valuable, how to identify one, and why collectors are willing to pay life-changing money.
Step 1: What Happened in 2019?
In 2019, a legendary dime sold for $456,000 at auction.
The coin?
A 1975 Proof Roosevelt Dime missing the “S” mint mark.
This was the last time something like this happened… until now.
Step 2: Why This Dime Is So Rare
All proof coins in 1975 were supposed to be struck at the San Francisco Mint, which uses the “S” mint mark.
However, a tiny number of 1975 proof dimes were struck without the “S” mint mark by mistake.
That missing letter is the entire reason the coin is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Step 3: Where the Mint Mark Should Be
On a Roosevelt dime, the mint mark appears:
- On the obverse (front)
- To the right of Roosevelt’s neck, near the date
If it’s missing on a proof coin from 1975, you may have struck gold. 
Step 4: How to Tell a Proof Dime from a Regular Dime
Compare the two:
Regular Circulation Dime
- Dull finish
- No mirror-like surfaces
Proof Dime
- Deep mirror-like background
- Frosted raised details
- Extremely sharp strike
If your 1975 dime does not look mirrored, it is not the rare coin.
Step 5: Incredible Backstory
- A man purchased the dime in 1978 for $18,200
- He knew exactly what he was buying
- After his passing, the coin was inherited by his sisters
- They stored it in a bank vault for 40 years
- Estimated value today: $450,000+
That’s one of the greatest long-term coin investments ever made.
Step 6: Current Value
- Past confirmed sale: $456,000
- Current estimated value: $450,000–$500,000+
Only a handful of examples are known to exist.
Step 7: What You Should Do Right Now
- Check any 1975 proof sets you own
- Look closely for the S mint mark
- Verify mirror-like proof surfaces
- If missing the “S”, do not clean the coin
- Send it to PCGS or NGC for authentication
Important Reminder
Millions of 1975 dimes exist, but only proof dimes missing the S are valuable.
A regular 1975 dime from pocket change is worth face value.
Final Thoughts
This story proves that tiny details can mean massive money in coin collecting. A single missing letter turned a dime into a half-million-dollar treasure.
Always check your coins — you never know what history you’re holding.
