Rare 1982 Roosevelt Dime Without Mint Mark Could Be Worth $385,000 – Here’s How to Spot It

Little coins can sometimes be extraordinary value, individuals handle them everyday without much care, and they never stop to look, for instance, at a humble dime. One of the more interesting examples is the 1982 Roosevelt Dime Without a Mint Mark, a coin that seems plain enough to be sure, but that has taken on the properties of legend as one of the best known modern U.S. error coins.

Though the vast majority of 1982 dimes are worth a mere ten cents, those without the “P” mint mark bhave sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This mistake remains popular among collectors, treasure hunters, and folks who examine their pocket change hoping to uncover a hidden gem.

Rare 1982 Roosevelt Dime

To understand what makes this dime special, it is needed to understand how U.S. coins get made. All coins have what is known as a mintmark which shows the location where it was produced. Prior to 1980, coins from the Philadelphia Mint did not bear a mint mark. But beginning in 1980, “P” was added to Roosevelt dimes to indicate Philadelphia production.

A die without the “P” mint mark was inadvertently made in 1982 by a mint engraver. That die was used to strike a production run of coins, and thousands of dimes went into circulation with no mark of where they were struck. There are approximately 75,000 to have ever been made, and very few examples have survived in high-grade.

Why This Dime Is Valuable

The chief reason 1982 No-P dime is worth so much is the rarity and the high demand. Error coins such as these continue to be a magnet for collectors, as they tell a unique story in U.S. Mint history. Unlike a rare older coin, this dime is modern and still turns up in circulation, and that adds to interest.

• Examples in circulation may command $30-$300 depending on condition.
• Uncirculated examples can achieve anywhere from $500–$1,000 or higher.
• Top example close to or exceeding $2,000 themselves.

Online rumors suggest that some of these dimes could be worth as much as $385,000, but no confirmed sale has ever reached that level. And the aftermarket-honest price grade and rarity of condition dependent.

How to Recognize a 1982 No-P Dime

• Believe it or not, this coin is actually pretty easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for.
• Look at the date: The coin needs to be from 1982.
• Look for the mint mark: A regular old Philadelphia dime has a tiny “P” mint mark above the date. If it’s absent, you could have a rare coin.
• Confirm authenticity: A lot of coins fade as they age, and mint marks can get incredibly faint. Only Coins with no mintmark at all are eligible.
• Grade the condition: The condition of a coin is what determines its value the most.

How It Compares To Other Rare Coins Errors

It’s not the only famous U.S. mint error by any means. Some other coins, too, have turned to treasure because of accidents.

This contrast between the 1982 No-P dime and those other coins is that the 1982 No-P isn’t the most expensive coin for collectors to acquire, but it is on the list of rare errors that are among the most available. The 1982 dime is somewhat of a different matter, as even today it will sometimes show up in circulation, although you will never find a 1975 No-S proof dime.

Collector Stories and Discoveries

Collectors, looking to unearth that missing mint mark, swarmed to banks and change drawers after news of its disappearance broke in the 1980s.

Even today, people occasionally find these dimes in their spare change. Tales of families uncovering them in old jars or in a cash drawer add fuel to the excitement, and ensured that this dime is a metaphor as to why everyday coin collecting is so thrilling.

How Condition Affects Value

Condition, or grade, is the biggest single influence on value. 5 Collectors use an established grading scale:

• Good (G–VG): Well worn, date is readable. Worth $30–$50.
• Fine (F–VF): Light detail visible. Worth $75–$150.
• Very Fine (VF): Design clear and bold, but worn. Worth $200–$300.
• MS (MS60-MS65): Mint luster is present but has diminished somewhat, no circulation marks are visible. Worth $500–$1,000.
• Gem Mint (MS66–MS68): Nearly flawless. Worth $1,500–$2,500+.

The best sale to date is an MS68 Example which went for more than $2,000 at an auction.

Where to Sell or Buy the No-P 1982 dimes

There are a few ways collectors and sellers can give away or sell such devices:

• Auction houses such as Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers frequently will have examples of the highest-grade examples for sale.
• These are available online through platforms like eBay, but you will need to verify their authenticity.
• Coin dealers and shows are safe places where business can be conducted face to face.
• If authentic, the value is considerable, with grading services (ex: PGS or NGC) confirming authenticity.

Due to counterfeiting and improper cleaning professional grading is highly recommended when selling coins.

Why This Coin Is Important and Desirable in Numismatics

The 1982 No-P dime is not only what many consider to be a valuable error coin, it also symbolizes a change in U.S. coin manufacturing. It was the first widely distributed coin to lack a mint mark since they became standard practice in 1980. The find was a reminder of how even in these days of high-tech minting, some human errors can still fall through the cracks and become cherished relics.

To collectors, it’s an introduction to coin collecting and a reminder that valuable history could easily be sitting unused in your change jar.

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