2.5 grams. This coin is ideally placed in the present auction, where it is being offered alongside the similarly unique 1966 Washington quarter struck on a silver planchet in the following lot. Both represent the latest-date transitional wrong planchet Mint errors relating to the changeover to copper-nickel clad coinage in 1965 for their respective denominations.

The 1970-D dime featured in the present lot was discovered by Diane Bechtol in 1971, when she was 10 years old. Her family moved to McMinnville, Oregon that year and rented a home next to a dilapidated old house. The latter was condemned and destroyed in a controlled burn by the McMinnville Fire Department. A few days later, after the flames had been extinguished, Ms. Bechtol searched through the rubble and found several silver dimes, including this 1970-D. Recalling the United States Mint's transition to copper-nickel clad dime (and quarter) coinage in 1965, her stepfather began what became a decades-long family quest to research the coin and have it authenticated as a Mint error.

On December 29, 1971, Ms. Bechtol's stepfather wrote to the United States Treasury Department seeking information about this coin. The response was brief and unhelpful:

An opinion cannot be given concerning the authenticity of your coin without examining it. You may, if you wish, send it here for inspection by the Technical Staff.

However, if any coin submitted to this office is found to be counterfeit, or otherwise in contravention of the law, it will not be returned. Such pieces are delivered to the Director of the United States Secret Service, Washington, D.C., for appropriate action.

With such a response, it is understandable that the coin was not sent in "for inspection by the Technical Staff."

Submission to Accurate Precious Metals in Salem, Oregon, however, determined that the coin was indeed silver. With a weight of 2.5 grams that matches that of pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes struck on 90% silver planchets, Ms. Bechtol was eventually able to get NGC to authenticate this 1970-D as a wrong planchet Mint error. Stack's Bowers Galleries has now been selected to introduce it to the wider numismatic market - its first offering for sale, either directly or through auction.

Both sides of this coin present exactly as one would expect for an originally and lightly toned 90% silver Roosevelt dime that saw light circulation. The surfaces retain appreciable luster in a softly frosted texture, considerable brilliance joined by wisps of pale pinkish-tan iridescence that appears to drift toward the borders. Handling marks are mostly faint and easily overlooked during in-hand viewing, although we do note a moderate disturbance at the upper obverse border, outside the letters ES in STATES, that serves as a useful identifier to track this coin through future market appearances.

Dating to several years after the United States Mint entirely ceased production of silver dimes for circulation, it is remarkable that the planchet on which this error was produced managed to remain undiscovered in the Denver Mint's production pipeline for so long. It obviously evaded the attentions of mint personnel and found its way into the press during coinage for the facility's 1970-dated issue. Fortunate intervened again to spare this coin both from being lost in circulation and destroyed in the controlled fire that took down the condemned house in the ruins of which it was discovered in 1971.

As with the silver 1966 Washington quarter offered in the following lot, this silver 1970-D Roosevelt dime is rarer than the 1943 bronze and 1944 zinc-coated steel cents - the United States Mint's most famous transitional wrong planchet errors. Advanced Mint error enthusiasts will surely compete vigorously for the opportunity to secure this unique prize, a coin that will serve as a highlight in any collection.

This lot also includes a printout of Diane Bechtol's story of this coin's discovery and authentication, as well as photocopies of the letter her stepfather sent to the United States Treasury in 1971, and the Treasury Department's reply. (Total: 1 coin; 3 supporting documents)

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

All winning lots will be shipped domestically via FEDEX, United States Postal Service, or DHL. Please note: A delivery confirmation shipment will be required for all orders. Delivery methods depend on the value of the shipment (for insurance purposes). All orders sent via Priority or Express require a signature confirmation. Please refer to the chart below to see how your winning lots will be shipped. Once your order has shipped, we will send you an email containing the order tracking information.

Total Value of Shipment Shipping Method
$1-$299 First Class
$300-$24,999 Priority or 2-Day
$25,000-$199,999 Express or Overnight
$200,000+ Contact us for Special Arrangements
Chart applies to U.S. addresses only -- items shipped to international addresses from the United States will be delivered via Fed Ex and items shipped from our Hong Office will be delivered via EMS with the exception of countries that EMS service does not cover.

If you would like your order shipped domestically via FedEx, please contact our Client Services department at (800) 458-4646. Additional charges may apply.

• How much do you charge for shipping and handling?

Within the United States: All orders are shipped via USPS. All orders will have the following postage and insurance charges in addition to a $.50 handling charge per lot added to the purchase price:

Invoice Amount Postage & Insurance
Up to $299 $12.00
$300- $499 $17.00
$500- $999 $20.00
$1000- $2499 $24.00
$2500- $4999 $27.00
$5000- $9999 $30.00
$10000- $14999 $40.00
$15000- $19999 $45.00
$20000- $24999 $50.00
$25000- $49999 $75.00
$50000- $74999 $100.00
$75000- $99999 $125.00
$100000- $249999 $250.00
$250000+ $400.00


All international orders (including Canada and Mexico) shipped from the United States will be shipped via Fedex or UPS depending on the destination country. All orders will have an international insurance fee of 1/2% of the subtotal of the invoice (hammer price plus buyers fee), with a minimum insurance fee of $10 plus a $.50 handling charge per lot in addition to the postage below. For shipments from our Hong Kong office via EMS, please refer to the Hong Kong Auction section.

Invoice Amount Postage
Up to $2,500 $50.00
$2,501-$10,000 $60.00
$10,001-$100,000 $75.00
$100,001-$200,000 $125.00
$200,001+ $500 or Contact us for Special Arrangements


All orders shipped from the Hong Kong, China Office are shipped via EMS with the exception of countries that EMS service does not cover. All orders will have an international insurance fee of 1/2% of the subtotal of the invoice (hammer price plus buyers fee), with a minimum insurance fee of $10 plus a $.50 handling charge per lot in addition to the postage below. The following countries have EMS coverage: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. Our international shipping rates will apply to countries not covered by EMS. If you have special shipping requests from our Hong Kong, China Office, please contact [email protected].

Invoice Amount Postage
Up to $300 $35.00
$301-$1,000 $40.00
$1,001-$2,000 $45.00
$2,001-$3,000 $50.00
$3,001-$5,000 $55.00
$5,001-$10,000 $60.00
$10,001-$25,000 $70.00
$25,001-$50,000 $80.00
$50,001-$75,000 $90.00
$75,001-$100,000 $100.00
$100,000-$200,000 $125.00
$200,000+ $500.00 or Contact us for Special Arrangements

by Stack's Bowers Galleries
June 16, 2026 12:00 PM PDT
1550 Scenic Ave
Suite 150
Costa Mesa, CA, US 92626

Stack's Bowers Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $20
$100 $199 $20
$200 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 $999,999 $50,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000