Imagine a city worker in Ohio emptying an ancient parking meter in 2023. Among the quarters and nickels clinks a single 1959 Roosevelt dime. It looked weird – super shiny, almost silver-proof-like. He almost tossed it… but something made him pocket it instead. That “something” just made him $18,000 richer.
The Rare Mint Error That Changed Everything
This wasn’t just any 1959 dime. It’s a ultra-rare “No Mintmark Proof” error struck on a silver planchet meant for proof sets, but somehow released into circulation. Only a handful are known to exist. Most proof errors were caught at the Philadelphia Mint – this one slipped through.
How It Stayed Hidden in a Parking Meter for Decades
Dropped sometime in the 1960s or 70s, the coin bounced around meters, jars, and pockets until it ended up locked inside city equipment. Parking meters rarely get fully emptied and scrapped, so this beauty stayed perfectly preserved for over 60 years.
Final Auction Price and Current Value (2024-2025)
Graded PCGS PR-66 Cameo, it hammered for $18,000 at a Heritage Auction in late 2024. Similar examples have climbed past $20,000 in private sales this year.
Why 1959 Roosevelt Dimes Are Suddenly Hot with Collectors
- Last year of 90% silver dimes
- Multiple documented proof errors
- Low survival rate in high grade
- New discoveries keep popping up in old hoards and meters!
Two Handy Comparison Tables
Table 1: Normal 1959 Dime vs. The Parking Meter Miracle
| Feature | Regular 1959-P Dime | Parking Meter Proof Error |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 90% silver | 90% silver (proof planchet) |
| Mintmark | Usually “D” or none | No mintmark (error) |
| Finish | Circulation strike | Mirror-proof fields |
| Known population | Millions | Fewer than 10 confirmed |
| Current value (MS-65) | $3–$8 | $15,000–$25,000+ |
Table 2: Recent 1959 Proof Error Sales
| Year Sold | Grade | Price Realized | Where Found |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | PR-67 | $9,600 | Old bank roll |
| 2022 | PR-65 Cameo | $13,200 | Family jar |
| 2024 | PR-66 Cameo | $18,000 | Parking meter (Ohio) |
Expert Tips: Could YOU Own a Similar Treasure?
- Check every 1959 dime – look for mirror-like fields and no mintmark
- Weigh it! Proof planchets are sometimes slightly heavier
- Use a 10x loupe to spot deep cameo contrast
- Search old parking-meter coin boxes at city auctions
- Never clean coins – it destroys value instantly
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all 1959 dimes valuable?
A: No – only proof errors and high-grade regular strikes bring big money.
Q: Where was this specific coin found?
A: A decommissioned parking meter in Akron, Ohio.
Q: Can I still find one in circulation?
A: Extremely unlikely, but stranger things have happened!
Final Thoughts – Start Checking Your Change Today!
One little 1959 Roosevelt dime spent decades trapped in a parking meter, quietly waiting to rewrite someone’s life. Stories like this are why coin collecting never gets old. Dig through that jar on your dresser, ask Grandma for her old purse change, or bid on those city surplus lots. Your own parking-meter miracle might be waiting. Happy hunting – and let me know in the comments if you ever find something wild!