Top 5 Valuable Roosevelt Dimes to Look For – Rare US Dimes Coins Worth Big Money! 🤯💰
The dime you spend every day to buy a pack of gum could be a genuine treasure! While the majority of the over 30 billion Roosevelt dimes minted since 1946 are worth just 10 cents, a few rare errors, key dates, and highly graded varieties have sold at auction for thousands—and, in one spectacular case, over half a million dollars! This guide reveals the top 5 most valuable Roosevelt dimes you should be checking your change and collection for right now.
The Top 5 Dime Riches to Hunt For:
1. 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Estimated Value: Up to $506,250 (Auction Record)
Why it’s Valuable: This is arguably the most famous and valuable modern U.S. coin rarity. It is an error coin that was included in 1975 proof sets but was mistakenly struck without the “S” mint mark that should have been present on all San Francisco Proof coins.
- Rarity: Only two examples of this error coin are currently known to exist.
- Identification: The valuable coin is a Proof strike—meaning it has sharp, highly defined details and mirror-like reflective surfaces, distinguishing it from the common circulating 1975 dime from Philadelphia that also lacks a mintmark.
- Pro Tip: Unfortunately, both known examples are accounted for and it is highly unlikely to be found in circulation. However, the last known sale of this rarity was for an incredible $506,250.
2. 1982 No-Mintmark Roosevelt Dime
Estimated Value (Uncirculated): $175 – $260+
Why it’s Valuable: In the early 1980s, the Philadelphia Mint began applying the ‘P’ mintmark to dimes, but a set of dies was accidentally put into production without the mintmark. This error created a scarce variety that is highly sought after by collectors.
- Rarity: Tens of thousands of these coins were estimated to have been minted.
- Identification: Look for a 1982 dime that is not a Proof coin and completely lacks a mint mark where the ‘P’ should be (above the date, near Roosevelt’s neck). Even a weakly struck example can be worth around $55.
3. 1949-S Roosevelt Dime (and 1949-S Full Bands)
Estimated Value: $50 – $80 (Mint State) to $6,000 (Auction Record)
Why it’s Valuable: The 1949-S is considered a “key date” in the series due to its relatively low mintage of just over 13 million coins.
- Full Bands (FB) Premium: A highly preserved 1949 dime that carries the “Full Bands” (FB) designation—meaning the horizontal bands on the torch on the reverse are sharply defined and fully separated—can fetch an extraordinary premium.
- Auction Record: A 1949 dime with the Full Bands designation, graded MS-68, is the sole finest certified example and sold for $13,200. Even without the FB designation, an MS-68 example sold for $6,000 in 2022.
4. 1996-W Roosevelt Dime
Estimated Value: $15 – $25 (Uncirculated)
Why it’s Valuable: This dime was specially minted at the West Point Mint (indicated by the “W” mintmark) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt Dime.
- Rarity: With a limited mintage of 1.457 million, it is the only non-bullion coin ever issued from the West Point Mint.
- Identification: Look for the “W” mintmark on the reverse side of the coin. It was originally only included in 1996 uncirculated sets, making any example found in circulation a desirable find.
5. Any 90% Silver Roosevelt Dime (1946–1964)
Estimated Value: $2+ (Silver Melt Value Minimum)
Why it’s Valuable: The vast majority of valuable dimes are those minted before 1965 because they contain 90% silver.
- Identification: Simply check the date. Any Roosevelt dime dated 1964 or earlier is composed of silver and is worth a minimum of its silver melt value, which is significantly more than 10 cents.
- Key Dates: Certain silver dimes, like the 1946-S Doubled Die Reverse (auction record $5,819) or the 1950-S (worth $40-$70 in Mint State), are worth even more than their silver content.
Extra Tips for Dime Hunters
- Full Bands (FB): Always check the torch on the reverse of any uncirculated Roosevelt dime (especially those from 1949-S, 1955-S, 1958, and 1994-D). The Full Bands designation is given when the upper and lower horizontal bands on the torch are fully separated and clearly detailed, which can boost a coin’s value from tens of dollars to hundreds or thousands.
- Other No-S Errors: In addition to the 1975 No-S, other Proof dimes without the ‘S’ mintmark, such as the 1968 No-S (sold for over $40,000) and 1970 No-S ($875+), are extremely rare and valuable.
- Proof vs. Business Strike: Proof coins are highly reflective and were sold in special sets to collectors, while business strikes are for circulation. You are extremely unlikely to find a high-value Proof error in pocket change.
