1975 No S Proof Dime Realizes $506,250 At Great Collections

(Irvine, California) October 28, 2024 – Over 200 bids were received for the most famous modern U.S. coin rarity at GreatCollections last night.  The Proof 1975 Dime, released in error without the “S” mint mark, realized $506,250, setting a new all-time auction record, and almost 30 times what the consignor’s family paid for the coin 46 years ago.

The rarity was authenticated by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and graded PCGS Proof-67.  It has also been approved by Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC).  The 1975 No S Proof Dime is routinely ranked by numismatic professionals and collectors as the #1 modern issue of the United States, including the 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins book by Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett.

In 1978, an Ohio collector and his mother purchased the coin from well-known Chicago dealer F.J. Vollmer & Co, Inc. for $18,200 and held it for almost 50 years before consigning it to GreatCollections two months ago.

“We received interest in this modern rarity from all over the world - serious collectors from Germany, Japan and the U.K., as well as collectors from the U.S. - over 400 unique bidders were actively tracking the auction,” said Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections.

“This is the Grail of modern coins, one that is missing from the Smithsonian, ANS and ANA institutional collections.  After spirited bidding, it was ultimately won by a long-time client of ours who appreciates rarities that infrequently appear on the market.  His goal is for his family to own it for the next 46 years, similar to the seller’s family who consigned it to GreatCollections,” continued Russell.

The GreatCollections auction last night included over 4,000 certified coins and banknotes resulting in sales of $3.13 million.  Other highlights included a 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent, selections from a Seated Dime variety collection, a serial number one Red Seal National Banknote from Kelso, Washington and an impressive 104-pound Yap Stone.

The U.S. Mint produced 2.84 million proof sets in 1975 with the S mint mark, signifying they were minted at the San Francisco Mint.  Only two sets have been discovered containing the dime without the S mint mark.  The same person discovered both sets in California, and sold them to Vollmer in 1978 and 1979.

The only other known example has appeared twice in auction, once in 2011 when it realized $349,600 and again in 2019, when it realized $456,000.

GreatCollections auctions in November include more highlights from the Coronado Collection of Red Seal Serial #1 National Banknotes, rare gold coins from the Soaring Eagle Collection, the Norwalk Collection of Half Dollars by Overton varieties and the Fanger Collection of Morgan Dollars in Rattlers (Old Holders).