That Dime in Your Pocket Might Be Worth 10 Cents, or a Whole Lot More

Odds are you’re like most Americans who have old change somewhere around the house: possibly in a piggy bank, a jar in the kitchen, loosely stashed away in a drawer, or somewhere else. It’s possible those old coins are only worth exactly what you would expect them to be worth, but there’s also a chance you could be unknowingly in possession of something much more valuable.

A few rare dates, mintmarks, printing mistakes, and other oddities can turn a regular dime into a serious collector’s item, or something worth selling to the right bidder. Ted Ancher, the Director of Numismatics at APMEX Inc., a precious metals dealer, says a rare coin’s value usually comes down to a few key traits.

Learn what collectors look for, how to check a dime’s value, and what you should do before selling or storing your coin.

Why Some Dimes Are Worth Millions

It boils down to rarity. Dimes, like all coins or collectables, are most valuable due to low mintages, low survival rates, and high demand, according to Ancher.

Some coins become valuable due to few being made, while others gain value because they are in a collectible condition. Heavily worn coins may still carry a premium if it is rare, but if it’s in an indistinguishable quality its value will be limited. Extremely valuable coins will meet both criterium.

“Survival rates are key, as mintages could be high but for one reason or another a large amount of the mintage disappeared,” says Ancher. “Most notably Morgan Silver Dollars and Pre-33 U.S. Gold are classic examples of series where certain dates and mintmarks have high mintages, but low survival rates due to legislation that prompted massive government melting.”

Rare Dimes Worth A Fortune

The 1894-S Barber Dime sits near the top of American coin collecting. Heritage Auctions notes that this rarity has brought seven-figure prices, with private sales reported above $2 million. Stack’s Bowers describes the coin as one of the great legends of later U.S. coinage.

Mercury Dimes also attract strong collector interest. Ancher points to the 1916-D as the most famous key date in that series.

“This has the lowest mintage of the series at 264,000 coins,” says Ancher. “In extremely worn condition, this coin retails for between $800-$1500.”

The 1921 and 1921-D Mercury Dimes also count as key dates, according to Ancher. Collectors should also know the 1942/1 Mercury Dime, an overdate error where the “2” appears over a “1.” Ancher says the detail shows with the naked eye, which helps explain its popularity.

Roosevelt Dimes usually don’t reach the same level as older key dates, but proof errors can still bring strong money. Some valuable examples lack the expected “S” mintmark from the San Francisco Mint. PCGS describes the 1968 No S Roosevelt Dime as the first proof coin accidentally struck without that mintmark.

How To Check The Value Of A Dime

Check your dime’s date and mintmark. Then, examine the coin’s conditions for defects or wear and tear. Other resources like publicly available auction records, and dealer or collector websites, can help determine your item’s worth.

“The easiest way to check to see if your dime is valuable is to do a quick search online and see what that year, mintmark, and condition are bringing in the marketplace,” says Ancher.

If you think your coin might be of value, look for offers. Local coin or pawn shops might offer a quick appraisal or bid, but for a potentially high-value coin seek professional grading to confirm authenticity and condition.

What To Do With Valuable Dimes

While coins are made of durable metals, they still need to be handled with care. Avoid rubbing the coin’s surface, and keep it away from moisture.

“If you have a potentially rare coin, do NOT clean it.” says Ancher. “Collectors and dealers alike will pay strong money for originality. Once you clean a coin, depending on how much and how badly the coin is cleaned, the value is greatly reduced.”

Other Rare Coins To Look Out For

Dimes are not the only U.S. coins with high value. Certain silver quarters, half dollars, Morgan Silver Dollars, Pre-1933 U.S. Gold coins, and Lincoln Cents can be valuable. Like with dimes, these will depend on date, mintmark, condition, variety, etc.

Silver content also matters. The U.S. Mint’s current coin specifications show modern circulating dimes use a clad composition, while older circulating issues from 1964 and earlier contained silver.

FAQ

Where are rare coins most commonly found?

They are most common at coin shops, shows, auctions, and online marketplaces. However, you can get lucky at estate sales, garage sales, looking through old boxes in your attic, etc.

Should I clean a rare coin before selling it?

Absolutely NOT. “Cleaning a coin greatly reduces its value,” Ancher says. “Collectors enjoy originality and will often pay a premium for it.”

About the Expert

Ted Ancher is the Director of Numismatics at APMEX, Inc. He has more than 15 years of experience with APMEX and oversees a team of numismatics professionals who handle U.S. coins ranging from Half Cents to Pre-1933 Gold.

Sources

United States Mint, “Coin Specifications”

PCGS CoinFacts, “Top 100 coins”

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