1975 No S Roosevelt Dime: Why This Six-Figure Proof Still Confuses Collectors
Few modern U.S. coins generate as many questions, or as much confusion, as the 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime. Only two confirmed examples exist. As a result, this Proof-only error ranks among the rarest and most valuable modern coins ever struck by the United States Mint.
Because of that rarity, the coin inspires persistent speculation. Many collectors believe they may have found one in circulation. However, the facts tell a very different story.
Understanding why this coin matters, and why nearly every claimed discovery falls short, requires a clear look at how the U.S. Mint produced dimes in 1975.
What Makes the 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime So Rare?
The 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime exists only as a Proof coin. The error occurred when a small number of Proof dimes left the San Francisco Mint without the required “S” mintmark.
That detail matters. Every Proof coin struck at San Francisco during this era should carry an S mintmark. When it does not, the omission represents a genuine Mint error.
To date, researchers have confirmed only two authentic examples.
One sold for $456,000 at auction in 2019, establishing the coin as a modern rarity with life-changing value. More recently, another example realized $506,250 in October 2024, reflecting continued strength in the top tier of the modern U.S. market.
Any suggestion that additional confirmed examples exist remains speculative.
Proof Coins vs. Business Strikes: The Critical Difference
To identify a genuine 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime, collectors must first understand the difference between Proof coins and business strikes.
Business-Strike Roosevelt Dimes
The U.S. Mint produces business-strike coins for everyday commerce. These coins enter circulation through the Federal Reserve banking system and eventually show wear from handling and use.
In 1975, the Philadelphia Mint struck 585,673,900 Roosevelt dimes for circulation. None carry a mintmark.
That absence causes confusion. However, a missing mintmark on a business strike is normal for this period and carries no premium.
Even uncirculated examples typically retain little numismatic value today. Circulation wear and post-Mint damage further reduce desirability. As a result, most circulated 1975 dimes remain worth face value.
Proof Roosevelt Dimes
Proof coins serve an entirely different purpose.
The United States Mint strikes Proofs using specially prepared dies and polished planchets. This process produces sharply defined details, deeply mirrored fields, and frosted design elements. Collectors purchase these coins at a premium.
After 1968, the Mint sold Proof coins exclusively in Proof Sets, each housed in rigid plastic cases. Every Proof dime struck in San Francisco should display an S mintmark.
That expectation creates the foundation for the 1975 No S error.
A Proof dime from 1975 that lacks an S mintmark did not leave the Mint intentionally. It represents a production mistake, and a potentially valuable one.
Why Side-by-Side Comparisons Matter
When viewed together, the difference between a Proof dime and a business strike becomes unmistakable.
A circulation-strike 1975 dime, even in Mint State, shows standard luster and softer visual contrast. A Proof dime, by contrast, displays mirror-like fields and frosted devices.
Collectors should rely on these visual cues first. A missing mintmark alone does not indicate rarity.
“I Found a 1975 No S Dime”, Now What?
This is where fact must replace fantasy.
Finding a genuine 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime outside of a Proof Set would require extraordinary luck. Collectors and dealers have actively searched for this error for more than four decades.
Statistically, discovering a third example remains possible, but the odds remain exceptionally low.
Because of that reality, authentication becomes essential.
Authentication: The Only Path Forward
Any coin believed to be a 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime must receive third-party certification.
The industry recognizes two primary grading authorities:
- Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
- Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)
Both firms possess the expertise and infrastructure required to authenticate and safely handle coins of extreme value.
Certification involves fees, which reflect both the coin’s potential worth and the grading company’s liability. For that reason, CoinWeek strongly recommends working with a reputable, authorized numismatic dealer when submitting a coin.
Collectors should always verify references and insist on written agreements before proceeding.
Selling a Confirmed Example
If a third genuine example emerges, selling through a major auction house offers the most transparent path to market.
A qualified dealer can assist with consignment negotiations and provide informed guidance on timing and expectations. However, any estimate of future value remains an opinion, not a guarantee.
Why So Many Claims Fall Apart
CoinWeek regularly fields calls from collectors convinced they have found this rarity. Most lose interest once they understand the authentication process.
That outcome reflects a hard truth. There is no shortcut. A business-strike 1975 dime, no matter how nice, remains worth about ten cents.
Online videos and incomplete articles often blur the distinction between Proof coins and circulation strikes. That misinformation fuels unrealistic expectations.
We hope this guide brings clarity, even if it proves disappointing.
Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Only two confirmed 1975 No S Roosevelt Dimes are known:
- PCGS PR68 #20519253
Provenance includes Fred Vollmer and Ken Goldman
Sold at Stack’s Bowers (August 13, 2011) for $349,600
Later sold by Heritage Auctions (September 6, 2019) for $456,000
- PCGS PR67 #32803312
Known as the “Ruth E.” discovery coin
Lightly toned; approved by Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC)
Sold by GreatCollections #1655587 on October 27, 2024, for $506,250
No additional authenticated examples have appeared as of this writing.
Coin Specifications
- Country: United States of America
- Year: 1975
- Denomination: 10 Cents
- Mintmark: None (San Francisco Proof error)
- Confirmed Mintage: 2
- Composition: Copper-nickel clad
- Weight: 2.27 grams
- Diameter: 17.90 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Strike: Proof
Final Thoughts
Coin collecting rewards patience, knowledge, and realism. While the 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime represents one of the hobby’s greatest modern prizes, its rarity demands caution.
If this article saves even one collector from false hope, or points another toward proper authentication, it has done its job.
The post 1975 “No S” Roosevelt Dime : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
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