That small silver coin in your pocket or piggy bank—the humble dime—might be worth far more than its face value. Throughout American history, the U.S. Mint has produced billions of dimes, but certain dates, mint marks, errors, and varieties stand out for their exceptional rarity and corresponding value.
From early Draped Bust and Capped Bust dimes to Mercury and Roosevelt specimens, these tiny treasures continue to captivate collectors and investors alike. This article explores the most valuable dimes in American numismatic history, coins that might just be hiding in plain sight in your spare change or grandmother’s old coin collection.
The Evolution of America’s Ten-Cent Piece
Before diving into specific rarities, it helps to understand the evolution of the American dime. First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, the dime (originally spelled “disme”) has undergone numerous design changes throughout its long history:
Draped Bust dimes (1796-1807): The earliest dimes featuring a portrait of Liberty with flowing hair.
Capped Bust dimes (1809-1837): Liberty wearing a cap, with a more refined design.
Seated Liberty dimes (1837-1891): Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield.
Barber dimes (1892-1916): Named after designer Charles Barber, featuring Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap.
Mercury dimes (1916-1945): Actually depicting Liberty wearing a winged cap, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.
Roosevelt dimes (1946-present): Featuring President Franklin D. Roosevelt, introduced shortly after his death.
Each of these design periods contains certain dates and varieties that command tremendous premiums over face value. Let’s explore the most valuable among them.
The 1894-S Barber Dime: A Million-Dollar Mystery
The undisputed king of rare dimes—and perhaps the most famous American coin after the 1913 Liberty Nickel—is the 1894-S Barber dime. With only 24 specimens struck at the San Francisco Mint and fewer than 10 known to exist today, this coin represents the pinnacle of dime collecting.
The story behind these coins adds to their mystique. John Daggett, superintendent of the San Francisco Mint, reportedly ordered these dimes struck to balance the mint’s accounts.
He gave three to his daughter, instructing her to save them as they would be valuable someday. According to numismatic lore, she spent one on ice cream on a hot summer day, creating what collectors now call the “Ice Cream Specimen.”
Whether this story is true remains debatable, but what’s certain is the coin’s value. Examples have sold for between $1.3 million and $2 million in recent auctions, making the 1894-S one of America’s most valuable coins relative to its face value.
The 1916-D Mercury Dime: The Key to a Collection
When the Mercury dime debuted in 1916, replacing the long-running Barber design, the Denver mint produced only 264,000 specimens—a minuscule number compared to the millions struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco that year. This low mintage occurred because the Denver facility redirected resources toward quarter production.
Few collectors saved these dimes at the time, as Mercury dimes hadn’t yet developed a following. Consequently, most entered circulation and experienced wear. This combination of low mintage and high circulation rate makes well-preserved examples exceedingly scarce.
Today, even heavily worn 1916-D Mercury dimes can fetch $1,000 or more. Uncirculated examples routinely sell for $10,000 to $30,000, with pristine specimens commanding $50,000+.
The 1916-D remains the “key date” that most Mercury dime collectors struggle to acquire, and many collections remain forever incomplete due to its cost.
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime: The Wartime Overdate
During the chaotic production environment of World War II, a fascinating error occurred at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints.
Die hubbers accidentally used a 1941-dated hub while making some 1942 dies, then tried to correct the mistake by punching a “2” over the “1.” The result—visible under magnification—shows clear remnants of the “1” underneath the “2” in the date.
These 1942/1 overdates (produced at both Philadelphia and Denver) represent the most valuable Mercury dime varieties after the 1916-D.
The Philadelphia version (without mint mark) typically sells for $500-$1,500 in circulated condition and $5,000+ in mint state. The rarer Denver version (with D mint mark) commands even higher prices, often exceeding $10,000 in well-preserved condition.
Unlike the 1916-D, these overdates weren’t immediately recognized when released. Many likely circulated unnoticed for years before collectors identified the variety, making high-grade examples particularly elusive.
The 1796 Draped Bust Dime: America’s First Dimes
The very first dimes struck for circulation in the United States date to 1796 and feature the Draped Bust design created by renowned early American artist Gilbert Stuart. These early dimes were struck without a denomination on the coin itself—their size and silver content were considered sufficient identification.
Two major varieties exist for this first year: those with and without stars on the reverse. Both are exceptionally rare, with perhaps fewer than 1,000 survivors across all conditions. Well-worn examples typically sell for $5,000-$10,000, while uncirculated specimens can bring $100,000-$250,000 at auction.
These first-year dimes represent not just numismatic treasures but important historical artifacts from the early American republic. Their hand-crafted nature, with visible die variations and adjustment marks, provides a tangible connection to the earliest days of the U.S. Mint.
The 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime: Western Rarity
Coins produced at the Carson City Mint (denoted by the “CC” mint mark) hold special appeal for collectors fascinated by America’s Wild West era. The Nevada facility operated only from 1870 to 1893, producing relatively small quantities of coins that were heavily used in commerce.
Among Carson City dimes, the 1874-CC stands out for its exceptional rarity, with a mintage of just 10,000 pieces. Most saw heavy circulation in the booming silver mining region, and fewer than 50 examples are believed to survive today in any condition.
Even heavily worn specimens routinely sell for $10,000+, while the few known uncirculated examples have traded hands for over $100,000. The 1874-CC represents not just a rare coin but a tangible connection to America’s frontier silver mining history.
The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: Modern Rarity
Proof coins—specially struck with polished dies on polished blanks for collectors—have been produced at the San Francisco Mint since the 1960s and bear the “S” mint mark. However, in 1975, a small number of proof Roosevelt dimes were struck without the expected S mint mark.
Only two examples of this modern error are confirmed to exist, both discovered in proof sets assembled by the U.S. Mint for collectors. Given this extreme rarity, the 1975 No-S proof dime ranks among the most valuable modern U.S. coins, with recent sales exceeding $450,000.
This demonstrates that even in the modern era, with advanced quality control, remarkable rarities can still emerge. These No-S proofs remind collectors that tomorrow’s treasures may be available at today’s issue price directly from the mint.
The 1798/7 Draped Bust Dime: Early Overdate
Like the 1942/1 Mercury dime, the 1798/7 Draped Bust dime features a visible underlying digit—in this case, a “7” beneath the “8” in the date.
However, unlike modern overdates that resulted from efficiency attempts, early overdates like this one occurred because die steel was expensive and difficult to work. Rather than discard a usable die with the wrong date, mint employees simply punched the correct digit over it.
With perhaps fewer than 100 survivors, the 1798/7 dime represents an important early rarity. Prices typically range from $3,000 for heavily worn examples to $75,000+ for specimens in mint state. The crude nature of early minting technology makes these overdates particularly visible and appealing to collectors.
The 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime: The First Modern Proof Error
Before the 1975 No-S dime mentioned earlier, the 1968 No-S proof dime broke ground as the first Roosevelt dime proof error to capture collectors’ attention. Approximately 12-15 examples are believed to exist, all missing the expected S mint mark.
These errors occurred during a transitional period when the mint was adjusting to new production processes, and examples typically sell for $15,000-$30,000 depending on condition. The 1968 No-S dime demonstrates that even in relatively modern times, significant mint errors can create important numismatic treasures.
The 1809 Capped Bust Dime: First Year Rarity
The Capped Bust design, created by German-born engraver John Reich, debuted on the dime in 1809. With a mintage of just 51,065, this first-year issue is considerably scarcer than later dates in the series, particularly in well-preserved condition.
Most 1809 dimes were heavily circulated, and many exhibit cleaning or damage from use as jewelry. Undamaged examples in VF (Very Fine) or better condition typically sell for $500-$2,500, while uncirculated specimens can bring $15,000-$30,000 depending on quality.
As the first year of a major design type, the 1809 Capped Bust dime holds special appeal for type collectors seeking the earliest and finest example of each major design.
Finding Rare Dimes: The Treasure Hunt Continues
What makes dime collecting particularly appealing is the possibility—however remote—of finding rarities in circulation, inherited collections, or dealer inventory at prices below market value. While the 1894-S Barber dime will almost certainly never turn up in pocket change, varieties like the 1942/1 overdate occasionally appear in rolls or collections where they’ve been overlooked.
Even today, careful examination of Roosevelt dime rolls sometimes yields valuable finds:
Silver dimes (pre-1965) still occasionally appear in circulation and are worth at least their silver value (about $1-2 depending on silver prices).
Full Bands Mercury dimes with complete horizontal bands on the fasces on the reverse command significant premiums over common examples.
Die varieties and errors like doubled dies and off-center strikes appear in modern production and can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Authentication: The Critical Step
Given the significant value of rare dimes, authentication has become essential for both buyers and sellers. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC certify a coin’s authenticity and condition, encapsulating it in a tamper-evident holder with a unique serial number.
For valuable specimens like the 1894-S or 1916-D, this professional certification creates confidence in transactions and helps establish consistent pricing. The cost of certification (typically $25-100 per coin) becomes insignificant relative to the value of genuine rarities.
Rare Dimes Value : Small Coins, Big Values
America’s dimes—among our smallest circulating coins—demonstrate how numismatic value derives from factors far beyond metallic content or face value. Historical significance, rarity, condition, and collector demand combine to transform these tiny silver discs into treasures worth thousands or even millions of dollars.
For collectors, the hunt for these elusive prizes continues to provide intellectual challenge and occasional financial reward.
Whether building a type collection representing each major design, specializing in a particular series like Mercury dimes, or simply checking pocket change for overlooked treasures, dime collecting offers accessible entry points for beginners and challenging rarities for advanced numismatists.
The next time you receive change from a purchase, take a moment to examine those dimes—you never know when history might be hiding in your pocket.