A simple ten-cent coin recently turned into a life-changing find for one car owner. A 2019 Roosevelt dime—something you’d normally overlook—was discovered without a mint mark, and it has now been valued at an incredible $410,000.
What makes this even more shocking is where it was found: buried among forgotten change in a car’s glove compartment. This rare find is now making waves in the coin collecting world, igniting new interest in everyday pocket change.
Table of Contents
Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Coin Type | Roosevelt Dime |
| Year of Issue | 2019 |
| Unique Trait | No mint mark |
| Discovery Location | Glove compartment of a car in Illinois |
| Grading | PCGS MS-68 (near perfect condition) |
| Estimated Value | $410,000 |
A Simple Car Cleanup Turns Into a Jackpot
According to reports from collectors and online forums, the dime was found during a casual vehicle cleanout in Illinois. The anonymous owner was preparing to sell their car when they came across some loose change wrapped in a receipt dated 2020. Among these coins was the remarkable 2019 dime with no mint mark.
Initially, it didn’t seem all that unusual. But on closer inspection, the coin’s flawless appearance and absence of a mint mark sparked enough curiosity for the owner to do some quick research online.
Why Is a Missing Mint Mark So Valuable?
Under normal circumstances, Roosevelt dimes minted in Philadelphia carry no mint mark. However, in more recent years, including 2019, dimes from all U.S. Mints are expected to include their identifying letter—“P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco.
That means a 2019 dime without a mint mark should not exist, which makes this specimen an extreme rarity.
Experts believe this coin could be a minting error or perhaps an unintentional release of a prototype. It’s possible that a blank die was used to strike a small number of dimes, resulting in a batch without the required mint mark. Such coins are typically removed during quality control, but occasionally, one slips through unnoticed.
Authentication and Collector Buzz
Jeffrey G., a coin grading expert from Pennsylvania, called it a “once-in-a-generation error coin.” He emphasized that while missing mint mark dimes from earlier decades have occasionally been found, a 2019 example is unprecedented.
The dime was authenticated and graded MS-68 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), one of the top coin grading organizations. This grade indicates a nearly perfect coin, which further boosts its value on the collectors’ market.
Rising Demand for Error Coins
This incredible discovery has triggered widespread excitement among coin collectors and hobbyists. Online forums are flooded with people inspecting their spare change, hoping for a similar find.
In recent years, coins with minting errors or oddities have been fetching high prices at auction. Notable examples include:
- The 1969-S doubled die penny
- The 2004 Wisconsin quarter with an extra leaf
- And now, the 2019 no mint mark dime
As interest in collectibles surges, particularly in coins with unique features or historic significance, this market continues to heat up.
Could You Be Holding One Too?
Absolutely. The glove box find is a real-world example of how valuable coins can turn up in the most unexpected places. Whether it’s a coffee jar of loose change or the center console of your car, you could be unknowingly sitting on a small fortune.
If you discover a coin that appears different—missing design elements, having doubled images, or lacking a mint mark—consider having it appraised. Certified grading services like PCGS or NGC can verify its authenticity and provide an official grade, which is key to determining value.
Final Thought
In a digital age where most financial assets are managed with the click of a button, stories like this bring a tactile thrill back to treasure hunting. A seemingly ordinary coin from just a few years ago has rewritten the rules of what’s possible in modern coin collecting.
So next time you’re cleaning out your car or counting coins at the laundromat, keep an eye out. That dime in your pocket might just change your life.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if my 2019 dime is valuable?
A = Look for a missing mint mark and unusually sharp detail—then get it professionally graded.
2. What does a missing mint mark mean on modern coins?
A = It often signals a minting error, especially when modern coins are expected to include one.
3. Who authenticates rare U.S. coins?
A = Trusted grading agencies like PCGS and NGC provide authentication and value grading.
