To maximum people, a dime is just 10 cents small, regular, and often neglected. But for coin collectors and numismatic professionals, one precise dime has emerge as a legendary treasure. The 1975 Roosevelt Dime and not using a S mint mark is one of the rarest cash in U.S. Records, and one pristine specimen has been valued at a jaw-losing $900,000. So what makes this tiny coin worth almost a million bucks? Let’s dive into the mystery, rarity, and excellent fee of the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime.
The Origin of the Roosevelt Dime
The Roosevelt Dime changed into modified into introduced in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who handed away the one year preceding. Struck by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, the coin capabilities Roosevelt’s portrait on the obverse and a torch between olive and okaybranches at the reverse, symbolizing liberty, peace, and electricity. Originally constructed of 90% silver, the dime moved to copper-nickel clad in 1965 as a result of better silver charges.
Understanding Mint Marks and Their Significance

Mint marks are small letters on coins symbolizing the mint where they were produced. Dimes were minted at three locations in 1975:
- Philadelphia Mint: No mint mark
- Denver Mint: ‘D’ mint mark
- San Francisco Mint: ‘S’ mint mark
The San Francisco Mint previously produced proof coins, which are especially made for collectors with a high-grade finish. Proof coins typically bear the ‘S’ mint mark.
The Mystery of the 1975 No-S Proof Dime
During 1975, over 2.8 million proof sets were struck in the San Francisco Mint. Due to a minting error, at least two dimes were struck without the ‘S’ mint mark.
This was a serious error that made these coins extremely rare. A deficiency of the mint mark on a proof coin is an abnormality worth noting, and this makes the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime a collector’s precious gem.
Record-Breaking Sale Prices
The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime’s rarity has commanded record-breaking sale prices:
- 2011: One sold for $349,600.
- 2019: Another sold for $456,000.
- 2024: The most recent sale sold for $506,250.
With the increasing demand for rare coins and their appreciation in value, authorities put the value of another sample discovered at around or even higher than $900,000.
Identifying the 1975 No-S Proof Dime from Regular Issues

We must distinguish the rare No-S proof dimes from the regular 1975 dimes:
- Proof vs. Business Strike: Proof coins are mirror-finish reflective and struck with unique dies, for collectors. Business strike coins are minted for general circulation and lack the polish finish of proofs.
- Mint Marks: Philadelphia business strikes 1975 dimes lack a mint mark but are not proofs. The rare No-S dimes are proofs lacking the ‘S’ mint mark.
To determine whether a 1975 No-S proof dime is authentic, look for the shiny surfaces typical of evidence money and the absence of the ‘S’ mint mark.
How Was It Discovered?
This rare dime was discovered by way of a collector who bought a 1975 evidence set from the U.S. Mint. When they looked more closely, they realized something was odd—there was no mint mark on the dime. Seeing the uniqueness, they had it authenticated. Once authenticated, the coin fast stuck the attention of high-end collectors.
The Journey of a Remarkable Coin
One of the two recorded 1975 No-S dimes has a most fascinating history. An Ohio dairy farm family purchased the coin in 1978 as an investment for $18,200. The coin languished in a bank vault for over four decades before selling at auction for over $500,000 in 2024, a nice return on investment for the family.
Conclusion
Although the odds are against it, it’s not out of the question. The story of the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime is a powerful reminder that rare treasures can still be found in the most unexpected places, even in something as common as a coin collection or proof set. So, go ahead—check those old proof sets, your parents’ coin albums, or that dusty box in the attic. Because somewhere out there, another $900,000 dime might just be waiting to be discovered.
FAQ’s
Why are there only a few 1975 No-S dimes?
The error was caught early in production, and most likely were caught and destroyed, and only two of them made it to the marketplace.
How do I determine if I possess a 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime?
Check the mirror polish proof coin finish and absence of ‘S’ mint mark. If your 1975 dime lacks the mint mark but is not proof finished, it is likely a common Philadelphia variety.
Is there any other No-S proof coins that are valuable?
Yes