🔄 1975 Dimes: Common Coins… With One Impossible Rarity
While millions of 1975 dimes exist (worth just 10¢), two special coins have sold for over $450,000 each. Here’s why:
✅ Normal 1975 Dimes:
- Philadelphia (no mint mark) & Denver (“D”) – worth face value
- San Francisco (“S”) made 2.8 million proof coins (mirror finish)
💥 The Legendary Error:
- Two proof dimes were accidentally struck without the “S” mint mark
- These are the rarest modern U.S. coins – only TWO confirmed to exist!
💎 The $456,000 Coin (Last Sold in 2019)
Your image shows a regular 1975 dime, but the unicorn collectors seek is:
🔍 1975 ‘No S’ Proof Dime:
✔ Mirror-like proof finish (not circulated)
✔ NO “S” mint mark above the date
✔ Perfect condition (PCGS PR68 grade)
🚨 Warning: This cannot be a regular dime – it MUST be a flawless proof!
🔎 How to Spot This Once-in-a-Lifetime Find
STEP 1: PROOF OR BUST
- Proof coins have:
- Liquid-mirror fields (reflect like a phone screen)
- Frosted details (Roosevelt’s face looks “whitened”)
- Your regular dime (pictured):
- Matte finish, wear marks
STEP 2: MISSING MINT MARK CHECK
- Look here: Space above “75” in the date
- Error sign: Complete absence of “S” (but ONLY on proofs!)
STEP 3: WHERE TO FIND ONE?
- Both known examples came from original 1975 proof sets
- If found, it would likely be in:
- An unopened mint set
- An old collection untouched since the 1970s
🔬 Use 10x magnification – the difference is microscopic!
💸 What to Do If You Find One (Dream Scenario!)
- STOP! Handle only by edges – fingerprints can lower value
- Get PCGS/NGC certified IMMEDIATELY (no other graders accepted)
- Auction through Heritage or Stack’s Bowers – they’ve sold both known specimens
⚠️ Never clean it! Even a microfiber cloth could erase $100,000+ in value
📈 Why This Dime Breaks Records
- Rarity: Only 2 confirmed vs. 2.8 million normal proofs
- Historical significance: Last “No S” proof error before mint quality controls improved
- Trophy status: Elite collectors pay premiums for “the impossible find”
🤯 Real Talk: Your Chances
- Finding one is rarer than winning Powerball
- But three 1975 proof sets still exist unopened for every one checked…
- Someone will find the next one – why not you?
🔔 Join the Hunt!
- Free proof coin identification guide
- Live error coin checking events
- Community rarity alerts
Check those old proof sets – you might make numismatic history! 🕵️♂️💎
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