---
title: 'What Makes a Coin Worth $3 Million?'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=nGakcu0V0ZM'
video_id: 'nGakcu0V0ZM'
date: 2026-08-05
duration_sec: 67
---

# What Makes a Coin Worth $3 Million?

> Source: [What Makes a Coin Worth $3 Million?](https://youtube.com/watch?v=nGakcu0V0ZM)

## Summary

This video explains why a specific 1894-S dime is worth $3 million, focusing on its rarity, the San Francisco mint mark, and the fascinating story behind its creation and survival.

### Key Points

- **The $3 Million Coin** [00:01] — A 1894-S dime, known as the king of San Francisco coins, is worth $3 million.
- **Rarity and Origin** [00:15] — Only 24 dimes were minted in San Francisco in 1894. The mint director gave three to his daughter, who spent one on ice cream, making it a famous worn specimen known as the Haley Daggett.
- **Surviving Specimens** [00:30] — Out of the 24 struck, only nine are known to exist today, leaving 15 unaccounted for.
- **The Importance of the Mint Mark** [00:44] — If the same coin were minted in Philadelphia, it would be worth only a couple of thousand dollars. The 'S' mint mark from San Francisco is what makes it a $3 million coin.
- **King of San Francisco Coins** [00:56] — The 1894-S dime is considered the fourth most popular US coin and is called the king of San Francisco coins due to its rarity and value.

### Conclusion

The 1894-S dime's immense value stems from its extreme rarity, the significance of the San Francisco mint mark, and its captivating history, making it a legendary piece in numismatics.

## Transcript

Francisco or this coin? Seth, what would you do? Oh, by far the coin. It's a 1894-S dime. The king of San Francisco coins and it's worth $3 million. Oh my god. >> This was made in San Francisco in 1894.
this is at the time they made very, very few of these. They've only made 24 of any more dimes that year, but the mint director actually gave three of them to his daughter. And on the way home, she actually spent one on a couple of ice
known today in very worn condition. That's known as like the Haley Daggett >> Now, what makes this really intriguing is out of the 24 that were struck, nine are known. So, where are the other 15? Why does the S matter and what does
>> You know, that's the most important question you could ask about this coin. made in Philadelphia, then that coin would be worth a couple of thousand dollars. But because it was made here in San Francisco, it's got that big S at
the bottom, makes it a $3 million coin. It's like the fourth most popular US San Francisco mint, that's why we call it the king of San Francisco coin. it the king of San Francisco coin. >> Cool. It's cool. It's got a great story.