When you think of a dime, you probably picture the smallest coin in your wallet or pocket that gets you basically nothing at the store these days. It‘s hard to believe that this tiny 10-cent piece could be worth anything substantial, right? Well, think again!
While it‘s true that the vast majority of dimes in circulation have a collectible value equal to their face value, there are a number of rare dime varieties that are worth hundreds, thousands, and in a few cases, over a million dollars to coin collectors. In this article, we‘ll explore some of the most valuable and sought-after dimes, how to identify them, and where you can look for these hidden treasures. By the end, I guarantee you‘ll be checking your pocket change a lot more closely!
A Brief History of the U.S. Dime
The dime denomination has been part of U.S. coinage since the late 18th century. The word "dime" comes from the French word "disme," meaning one-tenth, since a dime is one-tenth of a dollar. Here‘s a quick overview of how the dime has changed over the years:
- 1796-1807: The Draped Bust dime was the first regular issue U.S. dime. Designed by Robert Scot, it featured the bust of Liberty on the obverse and a small eagle on the reverse.
- 1809-1837: The Capped Bust dime succeeded the Draped Bust. Liberty now wore a cap inscribed with the word "LIBERTY." John Reich designed this version.
- 1837-1891: The Seated Liberty dime depicted Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and liberty pole. This motif, designed by Christian Gobrecht, was common across several denominations.
- 1892-1916: Charles Barber designed the Liberty Head dime, better known as the Barber dime. It showcased a right-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a laurel crown.
- 1916-1945: The Winged Liberty Head dime, more popularly called the Mercury dime, featured a left-facing portrait of Liberty in a winged cap.
- 1946-Present: The Roosevelt dime, released soon after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945, depicts a left-facing portrait of Roosevelt on the obverse.
As you can see, the dime underwent many design changes over the centuries, creating numerous varieties for modern collectors to pursue. Additionally, the composition of the dime changed from 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper prior to 1965 to the current copper-nickel clad composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. Now let‘s take a look at some of the most valuable dimes from each of these design eras.
The Most Valuable Dimes
Here are 15 of the rarest and most valuable dimes from throughout history. Values are estimated for coins in uncirculated condition.
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1894-S Barber Dime – $1,997,500
Just 24 examples were minted, with only 9 known to still exist. The finest 1894-S sold at auction in 2016 for nearly $2 million. -
1796 Draped Bust Dime – $881,250
The first year of regular dime production. Well-preserved examples, especially the 1796 with no pole variety, command huge premiums. -
1804 Draped Bust Dime with 14 Stars Reverse – $632,500
Just over 8,000 dimes were struck in 1804. The rare variety with 14 stars on the reverse is extremely valuable. -
1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime – $456,000
A proof dime without the "S" mintmark from the San Francisco mint. Only two examples are known, making this a huge prize for Roosevelt dime collectors. -
1822 Capped Bust Dime – $440,625
The 1822 dime had a tiny mintage of 100,000. One pristine 1822 graded Proof-66 by PCGS realized over $400,000 in a 2015 sale. -
1797 Draped Bust Dime with 13 Stars – $402,500
One of the rarest varieties of the Draped Bust dime series. PCGS has graded just 6 Mint State examples. -
1938-S Mercury Dime with Full Bands – $364,250
The 1938-S is considered the key date in the Mercury dime series. Examples with "full bands" details on the reverse in superb condition can exceed $300,000. -
1800 Draped Bust Dime – $352,500
1800 saw a mintage of just under 22,000 dimes at the Philadelphia mint. A PCGS MS-66 example achieved over $350,000 in 2015. -
1803 Draped Bust Dime – $322,000
Another scarce early dime, especially in high grades. NGC has graded just 4 examples in Mint State grades with the finest being MS-64. -
1931-S Mercury Dime with Full Bands – $270,250
Key date Mercury dime from the San Francisco mint. Well-struck specimens with fully visible bands on the reverse command huge premiums. -
1798 Draped Bust Dime with Small 8 – $253,000
Yet another rare 18th century variety for Draped Bust dime collectors. NGC has graded just 4 in Mint State grades. -
1916-D Mercury Dime – $195,500
First year of issue for the Mercury dime and a semi-key date. Gem uncirculated examples with full bands regularly surpass $100,000. -
1805 Draped Bust Dime with 4 Berries – $188,000
The Draped Bust series is known for its distinct varieties. The 1805 with 4 berries on the reverse wreath as opposed to 5 is highly elusive in top grades. -
1919-D Mercury Dime – $156,000
Key date Mercury dime from the Denver mint. PCGS has certified just 14 in grades above MS-65. -
1820 Capped Bust Dime – $156,000
Known for the large "0" in the date, the 1820 is rare and valuable in all Mint State grades. Just a few Gems are known.
As you can see, dimes from the late 18th and early 19th centuries dominate this list, along with a couple better date Mercury and Roosevelt dimes sprinkled in. Many of these ultra-rarities have tiny mintages and minuscule survival rates in high grades, contributing to their immense value.
Tips for Finding Rare Dimes
Now that you know which dimes to look for, here are some tips for uncovering one of these numismatic treasures:
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Check your pocket change. While your odds of finding a rare dime in circulation these days is slim, it doesn‘t hurt to look! Pay attention to any older dimes or those with mintmarks.
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Visit your local bank. Ask for rolls or boxes of dimes to search through. You can also ask the teller to be on the lookout for any older coins that come through.
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Search coin machines. Those Coinstar machines at the supermarket reject silver and foreign coins, including silver dimes. Check the reject tray – people often don‘t realize a coin‘s value and leave it behind.
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Attend local coin shows. Dealers at shows will have dimes for sale, and you may find a great deal. It‘s also a chance to look for rare varieties in-person.
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Join coin clubs. Other members may be willing to sell parts of their collections. Clubs are also great places to learn more about the nuances of collecting.
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Look online. Check reputable coin marketplaces like eBay, Heritage Auctions, and Great Collections. Many rare coin dealers also have online shops. But stick to certified coins to avoid counterfeits.
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Consider a metal detector. If you‘re feeling adventurous, try searching old parks, fairgrounds, and yards for coins lost decades ago. You never know what you might find!
No matter where you look, always be on the lookout for key dates, rare varieties, and coins in the best possible condition for their age. Uncirculated examples are more valuable than those that entered circulation. Oh, and if you find a 1894-S Barber dime, give me a call – just kidding!
Frequently Asked Questions
To wrap up, let‘s answer some common questions about rare and valuable dimes:
Q: What‘s the most valuable dime?
A: The 1894-S Barber dime is generally considered the "Holy Grail" of dimes. One example sold for nearly $2 million in 2016.
Q: Is a Mercury dime made of real mercury?
A: No, Mercury dimes are 90% silver and 10% copper. The name refers to Liberty‘s winged cap, which resembles the Roman god Mercury, and not the composition.
Q: What makes a dime valuable?
A: Rarity is the key factor. Dimes with low mintages, unusual varieties, and those in pristine condition for their age are the most sought-after and valuable.
Q: Are silver dimes worth saving?
A: All dimes dated 1964 and earlier contain 90% silver and are worth saving even in circulated condition. Many coin shops and online dealers will buy common date silver dimes for their melt value.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a dime?
A: On modern Roosevelt dimes, it‘s to the right of Roosevelt‘s neck on the obverse. On Mercury dimes, it‘s on the reverse near the rim at about 7:00 if looking at a clock face.
I hope you‘ve enjoyed this deep dive into the world of rare and valuable dimes. While we can‘t all be so lucky as to find a million-dollar coin in our pocket change, it‘s still thrilling to think that there are dimes out there worth a small fortune. The next time you‘re handed a dime, take a moment to check the date and mintmark – you never know what hidden treasures might be hiding in your change!
