Some Dimes Are Worth More Than Their Face Value

In the world of coin collecting, some dimes are worth far more than their ten-cent face value.

In the realm of coin collecting, some dimes are worth far more than their ten-cent face value. Whether due to limited mintage, historical significance, or minting errors, certain rare dimes have skyrocketed in value, making them the holy grails of numismatics.

Among the most valuable dimes is the 1894-S Barber Dime. Only 24 of these dimes were minted, and fewer than 10 are known to exist today, making it one of the rarest coins in U.S. history. The origins of the 1894-S Barber Dime are shrouded in mystery. Some believe it was minted as a special gift for bankers, while others believe it was simply a way for the San Francisco mint to balance its books. Whatever the reason, its rarity has driven its price to astronomical heights. In recent years, a well-preserved specimen of the 1894-S Barber Dime sold for $1.9 million, making it one of the most valuable dimes in existence.

Another highly collectible dime is the 1916-D Mercury Dime. During World War I, the U.S. switched to a new dime design—the Mercury Dime, which actually depicts Liberty with a winged cap, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury. The 1916-D version, standing for the Denver mint, is the most valuable due to a lower than expected output. Only 264,000 of the 1916-D Mercury Dimes were minted, an incredibly low number for standard U.S. coinage. If you’re lucky enough to find a 1916-D Mercury Dime in uncirculated condition, it can fetch over $200,000 at auction.

For those interested in Old West history, the 1873-CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime is a true gem. Minted in Carson City, Nevada—a hub of silver production in the Old West—this dime is an icon of the American frontier. In 1873, the U.S. Mint made slight adjustments to coin weights, and to indicate the change, a small bundle of arrows was added to the design. As a result, most of the “No Arrows” dimes were recalled and later that year, or early 1874, they were hastily adjusted and quickly put back into circulation. This makes the Carson City version of the 1873 Seated Liberty Dime extremely rare. Today, only a handful of these dimes in MS65 condition or better are known to exist, and a well-preserved example can sell for over $1 million.

But valuable dimes aren’t limited to the 19th century. The 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime is a fascinating error coin that proves even modern dimes can be worth a small fortune. Normally, proof dimes struck in San Francisco carry an “S” mint mark. However, a small batch of these dimes left the San Francisco mint without the “S,” creating a rare and highly collectible mistake. It is believed that only 12 to 15 of these 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dimes exist in Proof 65 condition or better. These error dimes can sell for over $20,000 depending on grade and condition. It’s a perfect example of how even tiny details can lead to big money in the world of numismatics.

And if you thought the 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime was rare, the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime is even more elusive. It is estimated that only two examples of this dime in Proof 65 condition are known to exist, making it one of the rarest modern U.S. coins. Due to its extreme scarcity, the 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime’s value is largely theoretical, but experts believe it could exceed $500,000 at auction should one ever come up for sale in that condition.

Now, let’s discuss a coin that has been the subject of much speculation: the Bicentennial Quarter. Minted in 1975 and 1976 to celebrate America’s 200th birthday, the Bicentennial Quarter features a colonial drummer on the reverse side instead of the usual eagle.

Recently, there have been rumors circulating online that certain Bicentennial Quarters are worth millions of dollars, with some sources claiming that a 1975 Bicentennial Quarter in MS67 condition could be worth as much as $37 million. However, these claims are false and misleading.

While some rare variations of the Bicentennial Quarter—such as error coins or high-grade specimens—can fetch a few thousand dollars, most Bicentennial Quarters are only worth their face value of 25 cents. For example