Dimes, the small ten-cent coins in our pockets, often seem insignificant. But have you ever stopped to consider What Dimes Are Worth Money beyond their face value? While most dimes are indeed only worth ten cents, certain Roosevelt dimes, due to minting errors, low mintage numbers, or special historical significance, can be surprisingly valuable to coin collectors. Let’s explore some of these dimes that could turn your pocket change into a small treasure.
1. 1972-S Roosevelt Dime: The Face Value Find
Alt text: 1972 S Roosevelt Dime, a common coin generally worth face value but can be more in mint condition, showcasing a standard dime from 1972 with the S mint mark.
For most 1972-S Roosevelt dimes, their worth is exactly what they state: ten cents. CoinTrackers.com estimates that in average circulated condition, these dimes hold a value of just 10 cents. Even in pristine, uncirculated mint state condition, a 1972 dime might only fetch around $36. However, there are exceptions. A proof dime from 1972, graded MS 70 (the highest quality), made of copper and nickel, achieved a remarkable sale price of $8,400 in 2008. This highlights that while the vast majority are pocket change, condition and specific types can drastically change what dimes are worth money.
2. 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: The Rarest of the Rare
Alt text: 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime, an extremely rare and valuable error coin missing the S mint mark from the proof version, demonstrating the high value of rare dime errors.
The 1975 No-S proof Roosevelt dime is truly exceptional. Considered one of the most valuable modern coins, only two specimens are known to exist. This extreme scarcity drives its value to astonishing heights. According to CoinValueChecker, the most recent sale of a 1975 No-S dime reached nearly half a million dollars, selling for $456,000. This dime is a prime example of how minting errors can transform what dimes are worth money into a fortune. The absence of the “S” mint mark, intended for San Francisco minted proof coins, is the key feature that makes this dime incredibly sought after by collectors.
3. 1982 and 1983 Roosevelt Dimes: Missing Mint Marks
Alt text: 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime, a valuable error coin from Philadelphia missing the P mint mark, illustrating a collectible dime due to a minting mistake.
Dimes minted in 1982 and 1983 without a mint mark also attract collector interest. Specifically, some 1982 dimes from the Philadelphia Mint (which should have a “P” mint mark) were produced using a die that lacked this identifying mark. These 1982 no mint mark dimes can be bought or sold for around $65, according to Greysheet. Uncirculated examples can reach prices as high as $175. It’s important to note that while 1983-S Roosevelt dimes exist, they were exclusively produced as proof coins, making regular strike 1983 dimes without a mint mark less significant in terms of value compared to the 1982 error. These minting errors are what make these specific years more valuable than the average dime, adding to what dimes are worth money for collectors.
4. 1996-W Roosevelt Dime: A West Point Special
Alt text: 1996 W Roosevelt Dime, a special edition dime minted at West Point with the W mint mark for the 50th anniversary, showing a collectible dime from a special minting.
The 1996-W Roosevelt Dime was a special release commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt dime design. Its mintage was limited to just 1.457 million, making it relatively scarce compared to regular dimes. These dimes were included in 1996 uncirculated coin sets specifically aimed at collectors. Gainesville Coins notes that this dime holds a unique distinction: it’s the only non-bullion coin ever issued by the West Point facility. The “W” mint mark signifies its West Point origin, adding to its collector appeal and influencing what dimes are worth money.
5. 1998-P Bonded Group of Roosevelt Dimes: Minting Oddity
Alt text: 1998 P Bonded Group Roosevelt Dimes, a unique mint error where multiple dimes are bonded together due to a press malfunction, demonstrating an unusual and valuable dime error.
This 1998-P Roosevelt Dime example is truly an anomaly. While the Philadelphia Mint produced over a billion dimes in 1998, making a standard uncirculated coin from this year worth only a couple of dollars, this particular item is far from ordinary. Stack’s Bowers Galleries, where this “stack of coins paperweight” was auctioned for $9,200, attributed its creation to a minting error. A “malfunction of a coinage press” resulted in “a hefty group of approximately 32 distorted dimes bonded together as a result.” This bizarre minting mishap transformed a handful of common dimes into a unique collectible, significantly altering what dimes are worth money in this exceptional case.
6. 1999-D Roosevelt Dime: Broadstruck Error
Alt text: 1999 D Roosevelt Dime Broadstruck Error, a dime error coin struck broadly and off-center, showing a collectible error dime with a misaligned strike.
The 1999-D Roosevelt Dime example highlights another type of minting error that can dramatically increase a dime’s value. A “Type 2 Clad Regular Strike” error dime, specifically a broadstruck error, in “brilliant uncirculated condition” fetched a remarkable $14,375 at auction in 2009, according to RobPaulsenLive.com. Broadstruck errors occur when a coin is struck without the collar die in place, causing the coin to spread out and become larger and thinner than a normal dime. However, it’s important to remember that a 1999-D dime in average circulated condition will only be worth a few dollars. It’s the specific minting error that elevates what dimes are worth money in these instances.
7. 2020-D Roosevelt Dime: Lower Mintage and Modern Collectibility
Alt text: 2020 D Roosevelt Dime, a modern dime with a lower mintage making it potentially more collectible, illustrating a recent dime that may be worth more than face value due to scarcity.
Even relatively recent dimes can hold a value beyond ten cents. The 2020-D Roosevelt Dime, for example, saw one specimen sell for $338 on eBay in 2021, as reported by PCGS. The primary reason for this increased value is its lower mintage compared to other years. This lower production number makes the 2020-D dime potentially more collectible in the future. While in impeccable, uncirculated condition, these dimes typically sell for less than $15, and circulated examples are worth essentially face value, the 2020-D dime illustrates how even modern coins can become sought after by collectors depending on mintage and condition, influencing what dimes are worth money in the contemporary market.
Conclusion:
While the vast majority of Roosevelt dimes you find in your pocket or loose change will only be worth their face value of ten cents, there are definitely exceptions. Minting errors, special editions, and lower mintage figures can significantly increase what dimes are worth money to coin collectors. From the incredibly rare 1975 No-S dime to error coins from various years and special editions like the 1996-W, the world of dimes holds hidden treasures for those who know what to look for. So, next time you have a dime in your hand, take a closer look – it might be worth more than you think!
