Valuable Dimes Worth Money: Guide for Collectors of American Dimes

The following is our Coinfully list of dimes worth money:

1. Pre-1917 Dimes
2. Mercury Dimes
3. Roosevelt Dimes (1946–1964)
4. No-S Roosevelt Dimes
5. 1996-W Roosevelt Dimes
6. Error Dimes: Doubled Dies

Dimes, the ten-cent US coins, are known for their small size, but some dimes have prices that are far from being small by a great deal. The idea of finding dimes that may be worth a lot of money is exciting and is something every coin collector dreams of.

There are different features that make certain dimes special and worth significantly more than their face value. Some are very rare and can almost never be found in circulation, while others show up once in a while. 

So, what dimes are valuable, and how do you recognize dimes that are worth money when you see them?

This guide to American dimes worth money gives premium information on finding, identifying, appraising, and selling rare dimes worth money.

What Dimes Are Worth Money?

Generally, U.S. dimes made after 1964 are not worth much more than their face value. However, dimes minted before 1965 can be worth significantly more due to their silver content and rarity.

Earlier dimes were made predominantly of silver until the 1965 Coinage Act, which replaced silver with a nickel and copper combination. However, some silver remained in coins for a short time, adding to their value.

Similarly, silver half dollars saw their silver content reduced to 40% after the Coinage Act and silver was entirely in 1970, making rare U.S. half dollars highly valuable.

Aside from minting dates, errors and coin condition can add significant additional value. Whether a dime is circulated, uncirculated, lightly worn, or heavily worn plays a significant role in determining its worth.

Collecting Valuable Dimes

The valuable silver dimes mentioned in this list may not always be rare investment pieces worth thousands, but they can still fetch a decent amount of money. 

If you’re hoping to find valuable dimes in circulation, from a collector, or in an inherited collection, the following rare, valuable dimes are the coins to look out for!

1. Pre-1917 Dimes

These dimes contain 90% silver. They are characterized by the image of Lady Liberty in a full profile or bust form. They could be:

• Bust dimes
• Barber (Liberty Head) dimes
• Liberty Seated dimes

These classic dimes are incredibly hard to find in circulation today, making them highly valuable. 

If you happen upon one, consider yourself lucky; it could be worth anywhere from $2 to $100 or more, depending on its condition. Some of the most valuable Barber dimes have fetched incredible prices.

2. Mercury Dimes

These iconic dimes, featuring Lady Liberty with a winged cap, were first minted in 1916 and are called “Mercury dimes” because people mistakenly thought the design depicted the Roman god Mercury.

Most valuable Mercury dimes are well-worn and typically worth $2–$5, though certain key dates can be worth thousands.

3. Roosevelt Dimes (1946–1964)

Roosevelt dimes minted before 1965 have significant silver content and are worth more than face value. While they are relatively common, the worn dimes from this period tend to hold more value.

To determine the exact worth of a pre-1965 Roosevelt dime, consider getting it appraised by an expert at Coinfully. These dimes typically range from $1 to $2, but rare varieties can fetch much more.

Some of the rare and valuable dimes include error dimes, No-S Roosevelt dimes, and West Point Mint dimes.

4. No-S Roosevelt Dimes

These dimes were minted by the San Francisco Mint between the 1960s to 1980s but were produced without an “S” mintmark. They seem similar to the Philadelphia Mint dimes made pre-1980. 

However, unlike the business-strike dimes that carry face value, these No-S Roosevelt dimes are only in proof sets.

They are pretty rare and can be worth a lot of money ranging from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.

5. 1996-W Roosevelt Dimes

These special dimes were made by the West Point Mint to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt Dime. The West Point Mint is denoted with a “W” mintmark. 

While they were only shared as 1996 uncirculated sets, some were removed and circulated. The former is worth about $15, while the latter is worth $5–$10.

6. Dime Errors Worth Money: Doubled Dies

People rarely search for the Roosevelt dimes with double dies (light or drastic), but careful searching for these scarce collectible error coins could reward you with a dime worth $25–$50 or more. 

While some double dies require a lot of magnification, some can be seen with the naked eye. The clearer this error is, the more valuable the dime.

The Most Valuable Dimes Worth Money

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) certify coins and proclaim them to be in mint state. Some of the most valuable coins are those that survive to date in mint condition (including coloration). Rare dimes worth a lot of money usually fall into this category.

However, many of them could be rare for other reasons such as silver content and small production quantity. These coins range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. Value can also run into the millions for some very rare dimes. 

Some rare and valuable dimes to look for are:

1. Bust Dimes Worth Money

• Draped Bust dimes: Pre-1809 – Early U.S. dime issues (1796–1807) with low mintages and high historical significance; scarce in all grades and extremely valuable in high condition.
• Capped Bust dime: 1809 – First year of the Capped Bust design; low mintage and strong collector demand make it a key date.
• 11 Over 09 Capped Bust dime: 1811 – Popular overdate variety with “11” punched over “09”; scarce and brings strong premiums.
• STATESOFAMERICA Capped Bust dime: 1814 – Notable variety with “STATESOFAMERICA” lettering run together; scarce and sought after by variety specialists.
• STATESOFAMERICA Capped Bust dime: 1820 – Same lettering variety as 1814; limited mintage and collectible error style.
• Capped Bust dime: 1822 – Very low mintage year; rare in all grades, especially uncirculated.
• 4 Over 2, Pointed 1: 1824 – Overdate variety with “4” punched over “2” and a pointed “1” in the date; scarce and desirable to specialists.
• Flat Top 1 in 10C. Capped Bust dime: 1827 – Variety distinguished by flat-topped “1” in denomination; low mintage and collectible die characteristic.
• Large Date, Curl Base 2: 1828 – Scarce date variety with distinctive large numerals and curled base on the “2”; limited survival rate.
• Curl Base 2 Capped Bust dime: 1829 – Popular variety with unique “2” style; scarce and commands a premium over the regular date.

2. Liberty Dimes Worth Money (1843-1885)

Many most valuable Seated Liberty dimes are rare and command high prices. Examples of the most valuable Liberty dimes include:

• 1843-O Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage (150,000) from New Orleans; scarce in all grades, especially mint state.
• 1844 Liberty Seated dime – Known as the “Little Orphan Annie” dime; low mintage of 72,500 makes it a key date with strong collector demand.
• 1846 Liberty Seated dime – Extremely low mintage of 31,300; rare in all grades and highly sought after.
• 1856-S Liberty Seated dime – First San Francisco mint dime; low mintage and high rarity in better grades.
• 1858-S Liberty Seated dime – Small mintage (60,000) and low survival rate make it a scarce date, especially in high grade.
• 1859-S Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage (60,000) and heavy circulation make uncirculated examples rare.
• 1859, Obverse of 1859 with Stars, Reverse of 1860 Liberty Seated dime – Transitional variety with mismatched dies; scarce and collected as a distinct type.
• 1860-O Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage (40,000) from New Orleans; rare in all grades.
• 1861-S Liberty Seated dime – Small mintage and Civil War-era issue; scarce in high grade.
• 1862-S Liberty Seated dime – Limited production at San Francisco; hard to find above circulated condition.
• 1863 Liberty Seated dime – Civil War year with low mintage; rare in uncirculated grades.
• 1864 Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage and heavy wartime circulation make high-grade coins scarce.
• 1865 Liberty Seated dime – Small mintage (13,000 business strikes) and post–Civil War rarity; sought after in all grades by serious collectors.
• 1866 Liberty Seated dime – Low production year; scarce especially in mint state.
• 1867 Liberty Seated dime – Only 6,000 minted; one of the lowest-mintage dates in the series.
• 1870-S Liberty Seated dime – Extremely rare San Francisco issue; almost never seen in the market.
• 1871-CC Liberty Seated dime – First Carson City dime; very low mintage (20,100) and rare in all grades.
• 1872-CC Liberty Seated dime – Scarce Carson City date; sought after by both CC and Seated dime collectors.
• 1873-CC Liberty Seated dime – Mintage of just 18,791; rare in any condition.
• 1873 doubled die Liberty Seated dime – Popular variety with doubled features; scarce and brings a premium over regular strikes.
• 1873-CC Liberty Seated dime – Another Carson City rarity; very low survival rate in all grades.
• 1874-CC Liberty Seated dime – Mintage of 10,817; one of the rarest CC dates, especially in higher grades.
• 1878-CC Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage and high demand among Carson City coin collectors.
• 1879 Liberty Seated dime – Extremely low mintage (14,000); rare in all grades.
• 1880 Liberty Seated dime – Mintage of just 36,000; scarce and highly sought after by collectors.
• 1881 Liberty Seated dime – Low mintage (24,000); rare in mint state; one of the most coveted dimes among collectors.
• 1885-S Liberty Seated dime – Low-mintage San Francisco issue; scarce in all grades; this dime is highly sought after.

3. Barber Dimes Worth Money (1893-1895)

• 1893 3 Over 2 Barber dime – Rare overdate variety showing a “3” stamped over a “2” in the date. Scarce in all grades, this dime is a true gem; values often start in the hundreds and rise into the thousands for mint-state examples.
• 1894-S Barber dime – Legendary rarity with only 24 struck and just 9 known to survive. One of the most famous U.S. coins and the most valuable dime today; this dime has sold for over $1.5 million.
• 1895-O Barber dime – Low mintage (440,000) and very scarce in high grades. Circulated examples can reach hundreds; uncirculated pieces can bring several thousand dollars.

4. Mercury Dimes Worth Money (1916-1942)

• 1916-D Mercury dime – Lowest mintage of the entire Mercury dime series (264,000 struck). Average circulated values start in the hundreds; mint-state examples can reach tens of thousands.
• 1942, 42 Over 41 Mercury dime – Dramatic overdate error caused by mispunched dies. Values range from several hundred dollars in circulated grades to several thousand in mint state.
• 1942-D, 42 Over 41 Mercury dime – Denver-mint version of the same overdate error. Similar value range to the Philadelphia version, with high-grade coins commanding premium prices. These two overdates are some of the most sought-after dimes.

5. Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

• 1946 Doubled Die Obverse – MS‑65 example sold for $85,000 in 2023; one of the most valuable dimes ever minted.
• 1955 Doubled Die Reverse – MS‑65 example sold for $60,000 in 2023.
• 1963 Doubled Die Obverse – MS‑65 example fetched $30,000.
• 1970‑S Proof No S – PR‑69 example sold for $40,000.
• 1975 Proof “No S” – One of only two examples known to exist sold for over $500,000 at auction. This dime is one of the most valuable of all modern coins.
• 1968 Proof “No S” – Sold for $45,600 at auction.
• 1982 No Mintmark – Mint inadvertently omitted the “P” on some Roosevelt dimes. These can sell for $50–$75; Certain specimens could be worth $2,000+.
• 1949‑S – Typically valued $10–$200 depending on condition.
• 1951‑S, 1952‑S – Semi‑key dates; some can sell for $15–$30 in mint state.
• 1996‑W – Valued around $14+.
• 2015‑W Silver Proof – Can sell for around $40–$50.
• 2015‑P Reverse‑Silver Proof – Generally worth around $15+.

How To Look for Valuable U.S. Dimes Worth Money

Coins in Circulation

For dimes in circulation, there are things you can do that have proved fruitful for collectors today.

• Search through regular transaction coins in your pocket change.
• Look through bank rolls, boxes, and bags from the bank. These are usually gotten at face value from banks.

Rare Dimes

For rare dimes, you can add the tips for valuable dimes in circulation to the ones mentioned below.

• Check the reject bins of machines that convert loose change to cash.
• Look through your local coin dealers sets.
• Look through old proof sets.

American Dime Price Ranges

Older and collectible American silver dimes worth money can sell anywhere from two dollars to thousands of dollars.

Old dimes worth money have value beyond their face value. For any dime with silver content, the lowest price is the melt value, which is dependent on the price of silver at the time, but would be around $3.

Several factors determine what makes a dime worth thousands of dollars. To understand the true value of your dime, you must know what type of dime it is, what the mintmark is, and what grade it is in.

Most Expensive Dime Ever Sold

The most expensive dime ever sold was an 1894-S Barber Dime. In the last 20 years, two different 1894-S Barber Dimes sold for over one million dollars.

Only 24 Barber dimes were minted in San Francisco in 1894, and all were proof coins, making the Barber dime extremely rare. Of those 24, there are only nine known 1894-S Barber Dimes, making it a key date to own.

In 2016, Heritage Auction sold the finest known example of an 1894-S Barber Dime for $1,997,500.

How To Sell Rare Dimes Worth Money: Tips for Coin Collectors

Wondering how to sell silver dimes? The answer lies in knowing your coins’ value and choosing a reputable coin dealer.

1. Get a professional appraisal: Knowing your coin’s true value ensures you don’t get lowballed. You can get a free coin appraisal online from Coinfully.
2. Choose where to sell: Valuable dimes can be sold online to dealers, to private collectors or coin shops, or through auction houses for high-value coins, but you risk low offers, and it’s hard to know whom to trust.
3. Sell through Coinfully: If you want a hassle-free experience with a highly reputable coin company, sell your coins online with Coinfully. Our team offers convenience, fair prices and fast payments.

If you suspect your dimes might be valuable, don’t leave money on the table. Get a free, zero-pressure appraisal today to find out their true worth.
Get a free coin appraisal online and discover how much your dimes are worth!