Although often overlooked by coin collectors, a dime is actually worth more than the “ten cents” printed on its face. While dimes aren’t as rare or valuable as pennies, quarters, or half dollars, they still hold a premium based on their historic significance and numismatic appeal. This article is designed to help you find, identify, appraise and sell these small treasures.
US dime value is determined by the series, date, mintmark and condition of a coin. Recognizing the different design series is a crucial first step and narrows values to an accurate range. Judging condition is next and requires careful comparison of a coin to image links to standards. Lastly, special qualities found on the coin add collectability and strengthen value beyond bullion base metal.
In general, dimes made prior to 1964 are more valuable than those produced after. This is largely due to the fact that they were mostly made of silver until the 1965 Coinage Act replaced the traditional silver with a nickel and copper combination. This is also why earlier dimes tend to have more hefty premiums than their modern counterparts.
There are a few rare dimes in this list that have set auction records. These coins include examples from the Barber, Mercury and Roosevelt series. The most notable example is the 1975 Proof Roosevelt Dime with the No S mint error. There are only two of these rare dimes known to exist and one recently sold for over $450,000 at auction.