For many Americans, the thrill of stumbling upon a valuable coin is a dream come true.

One such hopeful gardener believed she had struck gold, or rather silver, when she discovered a rare coin while weeding her carrot patch. The coin in question was an 1894-S Barber Dime, and the potential value had her excited.

This specific type of dime is renowned for its rarity and can fetch approximately $400,000 or even close to $2 million on the market. Filled with anticipation, the gardener’s husband examined the find and confirmed that it was indeed an 1894-S Barber Dime.

In pursuit of turning this discovery into a fortune, the husband decided to pay a visit to the World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coincidentally, this pawn shop serves as the backdrop for the History Channel’s popular TV series, “Pawn Stars,” which has featured numerous unique items over the years, including this particular coin.

Entering the shop with high hopes, the husband presented the coin to the show’s host, Rick Harrison, with an asking price of $400,000. Rick, known for his expertise in evaluating valuable items, closely examined the coin.

Taking a closer look, Rick acknowledged that it was an 1894 dime from the San Francisco mint, aptly named after its designer, the Barber coin. He further expressed that this particular dime was “the rarest of the rarest” and was often referred to as the “king of dimes.”

Rick explained that if it were a proof coin, it could potentially be worth a significant amount. Proof coins undergo multiple strikes and are typically created for archival and display purposes. Their sharp designs give them a brilliant appearance and high value. Rick estimated that there were likely only about 24 proofs produced at the San Francisco mint that year, making it an extremely scarce find.

However, as Rick scrutinised the coin more closely, scratches became apparent. He inquired whether the coin had been cleaned, to which the client revealed that his wife had attempted to clean it in hopes of revealing the date.

Unfortunately, the cleaning process had its drawbacks, as the last digit of the date remained illegible, leaving only “189” visible. After careful examination, Rick had to deliver the disappointing news. “This is not an 1894-S,” he stated.

The client left the pawn shop without selling the coin, leaving the mystery of the coin’s true identity unsolved. It serves as a reminder that coin collectors should exercise caution and seek expert guidance to preserve the value of their rare finds.

In the world of coin collecting, authenticity and preservation are of utmost importance, as even well-intentioned cleaning efforts can inadvertently diminish a coin’s value. Therefore, collectors are advised to handle their coins with care or entrust them to experts to maintain their worth.

This incident isn’t the first time Rick Harrison has had to temper a coin collector’s expectations, as a previous client attempted to sell a gold coin for six figures after cleaning it, only to discover that the cleaning had significantly reduced its value.

Coin enthusiasts are encouraged to leave their coins untouched or seek advice from reputable experts to safeguard their investments. In a previous interview with the U.S. Sun, a coin expert provided valuable insights on building and maintaining a coin collection. Additionally, another rare coin recently made headlines when it was swiftly withdrawn from production due to its risqué design.