If you have a coin collection—or even some old change lying around—you may unknowingly own rare dimes worth thousands or even millions of dollars. Some of these dimes are valuable due to their low mintage, minting errors, or historical significance. Before you spend your pocket change, here’s a look at some of the rarest dimes in existence and how much they could be worth!
1. The 1894-S Barber Dime – A Million-Dollar Treasure
One of the most famous and valuable U.S. coins is the 1894-S Barber Dime. Only 24 of these coins were minted in San Francisco, and just nine are known to exist today. Due to its extreme rarity, this dime is considered one of the Holy Grails of coin collecting.
- Estimated Value: Up to $2 million
- Recent Auction Sale: $1.997 million in 2016 (Smithsonian Institution)
2. The 1916-D Mercury Dime – Low Mintage, High Demand
The 1916-D Mercury Dime has the lowest mintage of all Mercury dimes, with only 264,000 produced. Because of its scarcity and popularity among collectors, it commands a high price—especially in mint condition.
- Estimated Value: $1,000 – $250,000
- Recent Auction Sale: Over $200,000 for high-grade specimens (NGC Coin Grading)
3. The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime – A Modern Rarity
Most Roosevelt dimes from 1975 have either a ‘D’ (Denver) or ‘S’ (San Francisco) mintmark. However, an extremely rare proof version without the ‘S’ mintmark exists. Only two examples of this dime have been confirmed, making it one of the rarest modern U.S. coins.
- Estimated Value: $350,000 – $500,000
- Recent Auction Sale: $456,000 in 2019 (U.S. Mint)
4. The 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime – Another Missing Mintmark Rarity
Like the 1975 No-S dime, the 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime is a proof coin missing the ‘S’ mintmark. Numismatists believe that between 12-15 specimens exist today.
- Estimated Value: $10,000 – $20,000
- Recent Auction Sale: Around $15,000 (Professional Coin Grading Service)
5. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime – A Minting Error Worth Thousands
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime features a visible ‘1’ beneath the ‘2’ due to an overdate error at the U.S. Mint. This rare mistake resulted in highly collectible coins.
- Estimated Value: $500 – $10,000+
- Recent Auction Sale: Over $40,000 for high-grade examples (CoinWeek)
How to Identify and Sell Rare Dimes
If you suspect you own one of these valuable dimes, follow these steps:
- Examine the Mintmark & Date – Check for missing or incorrect mintmarks and date errors.
- Look for Signs of Overdating – Magnify the coin to spot visible overdates.
- Check Coin Grading Services – Organizations like PCGS and NGC can authenticate and grade your dime.
- Sell Through a Trusted Auction House – Major auctioneers like Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers specialize in rare coin sales.
Where to Learn More About Coin Collecting
- U.S. Mint – Official site for U.S. coin history and new releases.
- PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) – Coin authentication and grading.
- NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) – Coin certification and research.
- American Numismatic Association – Educational resources for collectors.
Final Thoughts
Rare dimes are more than just small pieces of currency—they’re historical artifacts that can be worth an astonishing amount of money. Whether it’s an 1894-S Barber Dime worth millions or a modern minting error like the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime, these coins prove that a little change can go a long way.
Before you spend your next dime, take a closer look—it might be a fortune in disguise!
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
