The dime is a coin worth ten cents. However, vintage dimes, such as the 1966 dime is worth more than their face value today!
This dime was issued when America was experiencing a severe coin scarcity and it was during that time when the Mint stopped the use of mintmarks. So, how much is a 1966 dime with no mint mark worth?
Read on to learn about its value, history, physical features, and the rare errors that make it more valuable.
What Is the Value Of A 1966 Dime?
A 1966 dime in circulated condition may be worth around $0.15 to $0.35 due to its silver content. However, a dime in uncirculated condition may be worth up to $200, depending on its grading and certification.
Here is a 1966 dime value chart by mint mark. Values are approximate and change depending on the condition of the coin. The “Fine” grade is used as an average for these coins.
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1966 No Mint Mark Dime Value in $ | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 200 |
| 1966 Special Mint Set Value in $ | – | – | – | 245 |
The uncirculated 1966 dime will fetch you more than its circulated counterpart. The uncirculated pieces have no wear on them at all while the circulated coins will have some signs of wear on them.
The highest price paid for a 1966 dime in MS68 condition was $2,820.
Rare Errors on the 1966 Dime
Rare minting errors make a coin more valuable than its common counterpart. Here are some of the most sought-after rare dimes:
Double Die Error:
It’s the most popular and valuable error on all coins. This occurs when a coin press replicates an image or a print on the same side of a coin. Some 1966 dimes have the word LIBERTY appearing like it was printed twice on the same side. 1966 dimes with double die error can earn you $4,000-$125,000 at a coins auction.
Off-Center Strike Error:
The error occurs when the black planchet is incorrectly placed between the lower and upper dies. This error leads to partial trucking of the coin. The 1966 dime with off-center strike error is worth $10-$20.
Clipped Planchet Error:
The error makes a coin appear when a small part of the edge is broken off. The 1966 dime with such an error can fetch you up to $30.
Missing Letters:
It occurs when you have some invisible letters on the coin’s design. Common letters to miss are ‘I’ and ‘W’ in IN GOD WE TRUST and ”Y” in LIBERTY. A 1966 dime with missing letters is worth $50-$100.
How to Evaluate a 1966 Dime
The value of a dime depends on its condition and the date. A common date dime might be worth $0.15, while one in the best condition could be worth $10 or more.
Here are easy tips to help you evaluate a 1966 dime:
- Identify its type: You should know if you are holding a mint-marked coin or one without a mint mark. Look out for a “D” mint mark which symbolizes that the coin was produced at the Denver mint. The absence of the mint mark means the coin was made by the Philadelphia mint.
- Evaluate its condition/grade: Coins are graded according to their state. There are several grades of coins, e.g., Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated. A coin in a lower grade will be worth less than one in a higher grade.
If you aren’t able to grade the 1966 dime by yourself, check out professional coin grading services or online publications on how to go about it.
- Determine if there are any rare varieties: Rare varieties have different features than common ones and are worth more money if they're in good condition or in uncirculated condition.
- Minting errors: Errors can materially improve the worth of your 1966 dime. Watch out for things like off-centered striking, missing lettering, double dies, and off-center strikes.
- Scarcity/rarity of the coin: Some 1966 dimes are scarier than others. For instance, the 1966 SMS (Special Mint Set) dime was not released to circulation but it was available to collectors via sets. Such a dime is more valuable than one that was made available through circulation.
- Looks: The general appearance of the 1966 dime plays a critical role in determining its value. A valuable coin will have a nice luster while a less valuable one might have some discolorations or other flaws.
History of 1966 Dime
The Treasury department of the US issued the 1966 dime to celebrate President Franklin De Roosevelt's immense efforts in finding a cure for polio. This was a time when polio was a very serious threat, and it was one of the president’s main goals to eradicate it.
After his demise in April 1945, Congress spearheaded the replacement of the Mercury dime with a coin that would feature his portrait as a way to commemorate him.
These efforts made the Treasury Secretary then commission the designing of a new coin. The adopted coin (containing 10% copper and 90% silver) was released to the public on 30 January 1946 coinciding with Roosevelt's birthday. The production of this coin continued until 1964.
However, in 1965, there was a severe shortage of coins resulting from the rising cost of silver metal. Congress stepped in and passed the Coinage Act that banned the use of silver metal in minting coins and instead interchanged it with copper and nickel.
The reforms led to the birth of the 1966 dime made from nickel and copper with no mint marks. The coin maintained the same design of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse (head/front) and on the reverse, it features an olive branch, an oak branch, and a torch.
The mint marks were removed from this design to discourage collectors from hoarding coins that had mint marks that were believed to have a higher value.
All coins made between 1966 and 1967 didn’t bear any mint signs. In total, about 1.3 billion coins of the 1966 dime were made and not less than 2 million special mint sets were produced.
Key Features of the 1966 Dime
Here are particular physical attributes that make it easy to identify the 1966 dime;
- The Front/Obverse of the 1966 Dime: The frontside or head of the 1966 dime features a left-facing statue of President Roosevelt, with straight focused eyes and a hint of a smile symbolizing new hope and accomplishment. On the left edge of the coin is an inscription of the word LIBERTY while the say IN GOD WE TRUST is on the left side of the statue’s truncation.
- The Reverse/Back of the 1966 Dime: The tail of the 1966 dime features a vertical torch with an oak branch on one side and an olive branch on the other. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are inscribed around the top of the coin. At the bottom, is an engraving of the denomination, ONE DIME.
- The Weight and Measurements: The 1966 dime weighs 2.27 grams and measures 17.9mm in diameter. The edge is reeded and has no mintmark.
- Material: The 1966 dime contains 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. Thus the name copper-nickel clad.
Conclusion
A 1966 dime value is determined by its condition; good, fine, extremely fine, and uncirculated/circulated. And whether the coin has a mint mark or not. In an ordinary situation, an uncirculated 1966 dime with no mint mark will fetch around $200 while one with a special mint mark will cost up to $245.
