If you're a coin collector, the desire to add a rare and valuable dime to your collection is sure to be strong. Additionally, if you're looking to make some extra cash, learning about dimes that are worth more than their face value can be a great way to do so.
Some of the most valuable dimes in the market are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and some millions. These coins were minted in limited quantities and released on special occasions. In addition to being rare, the coins feature high-quality craftsmanship and are in excellent condition. So, which dimes are worth more money?
Here is a discussion of the most valuable dimes in the market today. But first;
A Brief History Of The U.S. Dime
A dime is a smallest and thinnest coin in the United States currency system, with a face value of 10 cents. The word “dime” comes from the French word dime, meaning “tenth part” of a decimal. The US dime was the first coin minted in the US in 1796 and featured the image of Lady Liberty on one side and a wreath on the other.
The early dimes were made from silver as the main material as governments conserved copper for military use during World War II. However, the Coinage Act of 1965 recommended replacing silver with a mix of copper and nickel.
Dimes Worth Money List
Here is our list of dimes that are worth more than their face value:
1. 1894-S Barber Dime
Estimated value: $1,997,500 (for the uncirculated coins)
It‘s one of the rarest and most prized US dimes. This coin was minted at the San Francisco Mint in 1894 and had a mintage of only 24 pieces making it a rare coin. Charles E. Barber designed it, hence the name Barber Dime.
The 1894-S Barber dime measures 17.9mm and 2.5 grams in weight. It has a metal composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. According to the records, only 9 coins of this variety exist.
2.1796 and 1797 Draped Bust Dimes
Estimated value: $881,250
This coin is so valuable because the US Mint made it in small quantities, and was one of the first silver coins produced in the US. According to the records, only 22,135 of the 1796 Draped Bust dimes were made. The 1797 Draped Bust dimes also witnessed a low production number.
Both series are made from 89% silver and 11% copper. They measure 19 mm in diameter and 2.7 grams in weight. The poorest state of the 1796 and 1797 Draped Bust dimes will fetch you over $2,600.
3. 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime
Estimated value: $456,000
The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime is a rare misprint of the United States Mint. It’s believed that only 2 pieces of the 1975 No-S Roosevelt dime were ever produced, making it the rarest coin in our guide and hence its high auction value. Due to their scarcity, you will not encounter these coins as pocket change.
As a modern coin, the 1975 No-S Roosevelt dime metal composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. It weighs 2.27 mg and measures 17.9 mm in diameter.
4. 1822-P Capped Bust Dimes
Estimated value: $440,625
The 1822-P Capped Bust Dime is the first dime minted in Philadelphia, but it wasn't the last. The design on the coin features Liberty facing left with a laurel wreath around her head. It was only produced briefly and had a limited mintage of only 100,000 coins. This limited production makes it quite valuable today.
The material composition of the 1822-P Capped Bust dime was 89% silver and 11% copper. It weighs about 2.7 grams and measures 18.8 mm in diameter.
5. 1938-S Mercury Dime
Estimated value: $364,250
The 1938-S Mercury Dime is among the most valuable dimes in the world. It is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, has a diameter of 17.9mm, and weighs 2.50 grams. The coin was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and minted at the San Francisco Mint in California.
About 8,090,000 coins (1938-S Mercury Dime) were produced.
6. 1837-P Seated Liberty Dimes
Estimated value: $55,000
The 1837-P Seated Liberty Dime is one of the most sought-after coins in America. Only about 682,500 were ever minted. The name “Seated Liberty” is from the coin's design, the frontside (head) displays Lady Liberty seated on a rock.
With a diameter of 17.9 mm and a weight of 2.67 grams, the coin has 90% silver and 10% copper.
7. 1982 No-Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
It's among the dimes that unintentionally left the U.S. Mint without its intended “P” mint mark making the dime rare and valuable. The mint mark was accidentally omitted from both obverse and reverse dies. The dime had a mintage of about 519,475,000.
The 1982 No-Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime measures 17.9 mm in diameter and 2.27 grams in weight.
How to Tell a Dime is Worth More than Its Face Value
There are different ways that you can determine if your coin is worth more than its face value:
- Look at the production date: Older coins are often worth more than their face value compared to more than new ones.
- Look at the coin's condition: If worn or damaged in any way, it will generally be worth less than when it's in mint condition. The exception is if there is some kind of error on the coin that makes it unique such as a misspelling or incorrect design feature.
- The rarity of the coin: The rarer the coin, the more it's worth. Rare coins mean fewer are in circulation, and collectors like to have rare coins in their collections. This is probably the easiest way to determine if your coin is worth more than its face value.
- Check with an expert: The most surefire way to determine whether or not your coin is worth more than its face value is to consult a professional. These individuals have years of experience and are well-versed in coin collecting. They can quickly tell you if your dime is worth more than what it's stamped as on the front side.
Conclusion
Rare and valuable dimes are worth more than their face value. The 1894-S Barber Dime, for instance, has rare and valuable features compared to the 1982 No-Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime. Thus, the former is worth more than the latter.
