In recent years, Roosevelt dimes, those small ten-cent coins jingling in pockets and purses, have turned ordinary people into millionaires. Named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, these dimes were first minted in 1946 and are a familiar sight in everyday change. But a handful of them, thanks to rare minting errors or unique conditions, have sold for jaw-dropping prices at auctions, with some fetching over $850,000 each. These discoveries have set off a nationwide treasure hunt, with collectors and regular folks alike scouring their coin jars for a life-changing find. Here’s a look at eight Roosevelt dimes that have made headlines for their incredible value and the stories behind them.
A Tiny Coin with a Huge Payday
The 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime is one of the most famous of these treasures. Due to a minting error at the San Francisco Mint, a small number of these dimes were struck without the “S” mint mark, which identifies their origin. Only two are known to exist, making them incredibly rare. In 2019, one sold for $456,000, but experts now estimate a pristine example could fetch up to $1 million or more. Another, discovered in a child’s piggy bank during a spring cleaning session, was valued at nearly $400,000, shocking the numismatic world. These coins were meant for collector sets, not circulation, which makes their value skyrocket when found in everyday change.
Errors That Turned Dimes into Fortunes
Minting mistakes are often what make these dimes so valuable. For example, the 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime, also missing its San Francisco mint mark, is another collector’s dream. In 2020, one sold for $47,000, but recent estimates suggest a top-condition piece could reach $2.7 million. Similarly, a 1965 Roosevelt Dime struck on a 90% silver planchet—a mistake from the year the U.S. Mint switched to copper-nickel—has been valued at up to $24.7 million. These transitional errors happened when leftover silver blanks were accidentally used, creating coins that stand out for their unique shine and weight.
| Year | Error Type | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Silver Planchet | Up to $24.7M |
| 1968 | No-S Proof | Up to $2.7M |
| 1975 | No-S Proof | Up to $1M |
Everyday Finds That Changed Lives
What makes these stories so exciting is where these dimes are found. One 1975 No-S dime, valued at $2.3 million, was discovered in loose change at a grocery store. Another, estimated at $1.2 million, was found under a floorboard in an Ohio farmhouse during renovations. Even a bus stop in Philadelphia became the site of a $3.7 million find when a man noticed an odd-looking 1975 dime. These discoveries prove that rare coins can hide in the most ordinary places—piggy banks, vending machines, or even your wallet—waiting to be spotted by a keen eye.
Why These Dimes Are Worth Millions
The value of these dimes comes down to rarity, condition, and historical quirks. Pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes, made of 90% silver, already carry a premium, but errors like missing mint marks or wrong metal compositions push their worth into the stratosphere. For instance, a 1949-S Roosevelt Dime in flawless condition sold for over $75,000, not because of an error but due to its perfect strike and rarity. Collectors also prize proof coins, which have a mirror-like finish and were never meant for circulation. When these slip into everyday use, their value can soar, as seen with a 1969-S dime that fetched $2.7 million at a 2023 auction.
Join the Treasure Hunt
These eight Roosevelt dimes, with their staggering auction prices, have inspired a wave of coin hunting across the U.S. Experts suggest checking for specific years like 1965, 1968, 1969, or 1975, and looking for missing mint marks or unusual finishes. If you find a suspicious dime, don’t clean it—cleaning can lower its value. Instead, take it to a trusted coin dealer or grading service like PCGS or NGC for authentication. With millions of dimes still in circulation, your next handful of change could hold a fortune, turning a simple dime into a life-changing discovery.
