How a Coin Worth $1.9 Million Travels Cross-Country

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Aug 2nd 2007 at 10:03AM

People buy and sell expensive things all the time, but here's an interesting story of how a dime worth $1.9 million dollars traveled across the country from its old home in San Jose to its new home in New York City. Who knew it was as simple as a guy in flip flops carrying it there in his pocket? Well I'm sure that guy, John Feigenbaum, would say it was anything but simple. He dressed in flip flops so he wouldn't attract undue attention, tried to fly coach (but got upgraded to first class anyway), and didn't sleep a wink on a red-eye flight for fear of losing the precious cargo somehow.

The 1894-S dime is one of nine known to have survived from only 24 minted in San Francisco that year. Of course the new owner, who is choosing to remain anonymous, has no intentions of doing anything with the dime other than keeping it stashed away in his vault as an investment for the future -- after spending a few minutes admiring it, of course.

Tags: 10, 1894, 1894-S dime, 1894-sDime, cent, cents, coin, coins, dime, rare, ten, travel

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

vetrose Jun 12th 2009 10:53PM

my coin is older than his. how did he sell it?

Karen Jan 4th 2011 3:33PM

I have been trying to find out information about a nickel that I have. It is a gold nickel that was made in 2004 with the louisiana purchase on the back. I worked in a convenience store for 4 years and never saw one of these. I have looked on the internet and can't find anything about it. So if anyone in cyberworld knows anything about this coin I would appreciate the knowledge greatly.

margarita Aug 2nd 2007 11:22PM

WELL I WILL BE SAVING NOTTING BUT DIME'S COIN'S U NEVER KNOW WHAT U HAVE ...margarita schuber from Az http://acaiplus.com/margarita

Sun Aug 3rd 2007 5:19AM

...Thank you for your capslock, Margarita...

I was into coin collecting for a time, and actually have a lot of valuable ones. But not 1.9mil valuable... I don't think. *Goes to check with coin and antiques collector*

Anyways, you'll be surprised how high a dirty coin is worth, and how low a pretty one is worth.

Jess Aug 5th 2007 2:07PM

I work in a retail store as a cashier and you'd be amazed what people pay me with, they have no idea they've just given me a rare coin. I've gotten several indian head nickles, several liberty nickles, some pure silver dimes and innumerable wheat pennies. Most people just dont look at what they have - but thats okay with me, I just re-pay the register and that coin goes right in my pocket to be added to MY OWN coin collection!

leeanne Aug 5th 2007 2:27PM

i have a rare coin and i cant find anyone who knows anything about it i have a coin that is apparently food stamp change it is the shape of a stop sign and says 5 cents food stamp change redeeemable at penn fruit if there is anyone who knows anything about it please email me thank you

Tay Aug 5th 2007 2:50PM

never clean an old coin, diminishes it's value tremendously.. just fyi

kent Aug 5th 2007 3:23PM

I think he should sell it. You can live the rest of your life on 1.9 million, without working. Secondly, if he couldn't sleep on the plane and was so worried that it would get lost or stolen, he's going to continue worrying for years even if its in a vault.(People break into vaults also) It's not worth keeping it!

sheila Aug 5th 2007 3:26PM

I also have worked retail, been paid in $5.00 silver certificates, silver quarters and dimes, i have several buffalo nickles w/clear dates, andmy favorite one, a 1898 indian head penny w/ clear date.

sheila Aug 5th 2007 3:41PM

read the story, the guy transporting the dime is not the owner, so I'm sure he will sleep just fine, but the owner might want to rethink how he stores it.

lynn brown Aug 5th 2007 5:16PM

I was playing the slot machines in Reno, Nv many years ago, when a 1894 silver dollar came out with my pay out. It has a hole in like someone was wearing it. I guess they were desperate for one more pull on the machine

Henry Aug 5th 2007 7:14PM

I am sure that fellow was worrying all the time it was in his pocket.I think I would have given myself away,because I would have kept my hand in my pock the hold time.

fastax Aug 5th 2007 6:36PM

The reason probably had a hole in it is it was being used with a string. Years ago, people would drill a hole in a coin, attach a string and pull it out once it tripped the machine. Illegal yes.
Judy

loverdrj Aug 5th 2007 6:51PM

Does any one know what a mis minted 2000 S. Carolina quarter is worth????? Not centered when stamped at mint

Maggie Aug 5th 2007 6:59PM

I have two gold dollars that someone put solder on..how to remove it?

lisa shrum Aug 5th 2007 7:20PM

hi i wanted to find out who i can get in touch w to tell me if my silver certicicates r worth any thing they r from 1935 and some r 1957 some r blue please help ty lisa in indy

nancyk Aug 5th 2007 7:15PM

Anyone know a trustworthy coin collecting site? I have an 1853 dime, how do you know if one is valuable or not? nancy

val Aug 5th 2007 7:33PM

This is to Leanne regarding the 5 cent food stamp coin redeeemable at penn fruit. Penn Fruit was a grocery store in Philadelphia, PA in the 1960's and 70's. I don't know when it went out of business.

rhoda nadell Aug 5th 2007 7:51PM

does anyone know the value 1960 small date pennies

easterling Aug 5th 2007 8:15PM

we have an 1893 dime.can anyone tell us the value of this coin

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