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I was in a classroom at the middle school where I work the other week to fix one of the computers. As I was doing my job and moving things around, what do I see on the teacher's desk but a Mercury dime! It was in a pink plastic cup full of pennies. I finished up my work and once I had returned to my office, initiated a conversation by email (formalities and technical bits have been edited out):

ME: I noticed in your change cup on your desk there was a 1942 dime. I collect coins. Would you be willing to sell it?

HER: I’m not going to lie to you, I didn’t even know that coin was in there. You can have it! Is it worth money?

ME: That's funny about the coin. I thought you had set it aside! You don't see Mercury dimes in change too much anymore. It's one of the more common dates of the series, but I would give you $2.00 for it.

HER: Oh my goodness, you don’t need to give me anything for it, I just really appreciate all your help Thank you!

Sweet! I thought for sure she knew what it was and had specially kept it, being it was one silver dime among a bunch of shiny pennies. But it sounds like it just came in change from the cafeteria and was thrown in there randomly. Glad I took the honest route and received a nice token of gratitude. It's also good to have someone know you are a coin collector, even though she probably thinks it's silly. Who knows what will turn up next?

Nice story.

This same thing happened with a friend with her change cup- I was pulling out coppers and found a mercury dime. She had no clue in there and honestly said if I didnt pull it out it would have been spent at Taco Bell or the like. Its funny how this stuff happens.

Beautiful.