In Toledo, Ohio, an extraordinary dime sat tucked away in a vault for over forty years! What makes this dime minted in 1975 so special? It is missing its mint mark. All coins in the United States have a small letter just below Franklin Roosevelt’s head, indicating where it was created: Denver (D), Philadelphia (P), San Francisco (S), and West Point (W). This dime was minted in San Francisco, yet is missing its mint mark, making it one of the two markless coins from the nearly three million dimes minted in 1975. Talk about special!
Three sisters from Ohio inherited this rare dime from their brother, who had cherished it as a family heirloom. Their parents had bought it back in 1978 for $18,200 (equivalent to about $90,000 today), hoping it might serve as a financial safety net. Little did they know just how valuable it would become! After many years and careful consideration, the sisters decided it was the right time to auction it off.
The excitement was palpable as over 200 bids poured in, and a collector snagged the coin for an impressive $450,000 ($506,250 w/p). Interestingly, the other “No-S” dime sold in 2019 for $380,000 ($456,000 w/p) and was resold just months later for $516,000 to a private collector. Both 1975 “No-S” dimes are legendary in the coin-collecting world, and enthusiasts are always on the lookout for hidden treasures like these that could pop up in their spare change.
Ultimately, the story of the Ohio sisters and their incredible dime shows us how small details can turn an ordinary 10-cent piece into something truly remarkable — especially when it’s been cherished and protected over the years!