There are a variety of factors that determine coin collecting dime value, including rarity, condition, and metal content. As a result, the value of your dime can vary dramatically depending on the specific qualities of your coin. The first step in determining a dime’s value is to recognize the series it belongs to. Dimes are minted in several design series with significant differences in rarity from one to the next. Recognizing the series is crucial and narrows your search for a specific coin.
Once you have determined your coin’s series, identifying the date and mintmark is a key next step in determining its value. The dates and mintmarks on a dime are important as they indicate the location where it was struck. Each branch mint produced dimes and distinguished them by the addition of a mintmark. Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark, San Francisco added an “S” mintmark starting in 1856, and Carson City began using a ‘CC’ mintmark beginning in 1871. Mintmarks are rare and can greatly increase a dime’s collectability and value.
Silver dimes minted before 1965 have a premium silver content and are worth more than their face value, even when worn down. However, due to rising prices, the United States Mint stopped producing silver coins in 1964 and switched to a copper-nickel clad composition that carries a lower face value.