A List Of Valuable U.S. Dimes
I love looking through my pocket change for old dimes — especially silver dimes!
Believe it or not, my dad found a couple silver dimes years ago while buying snacks out of a vending machine. And I’ve found plenty of old dimes, too.
Many old dimes are worth more than 10 cents, and some are worth many times over face value. (Yes, even some Roosevelt dimes!)
So, how do you know exactly which old dimes are valuable and which ones you can safely spend?
I’ve compiled a list of the top dimes that you should look for in your pocket change, coin jars, and coin rolls — along with their approximate values. These are the ones you’ll want to hold onto, as their values are likely to continue increasing!
In this article, you will find:
- The most valuable dimes you can find in circulation today
- Valuable key-date dimes and semi-key date dimes
- U.S. dime errors that are the most valuable
- The most valuable Barber dimes from 1892 to 1916
- The most valuable Mercury dimes from 1916 to 1945
- The most valuable Roosevelt dimes from 1946 to the present
What Are The Most Valuable Dimes, Generally?
Here’s a quick overview of U.S. dimes that are worth significantly more than face value:
- All pre-1965 silver dimes — These are made from a 90% silver composition.
- Pre-1965 silver dimes include Barber dimes, Mercury dimes, and Roosevelt dimes.
- These coins are generally worth $4+
- Error dimes — Dimes with off-center strikes, die breaks, and broadstrikes.
- Dimes with errors vary in value on a case-by-case basis.
- These coins are generally worth $5 to $25+
- Semi-key date dimes — Semi-key date coins are pretty much anything that falls between “common” and “rare.” Here are the current values for some of the major semi-key-date dimes since 1916:
- 1921 Mercury dime — $80+
- 1921-D Mercury dime — $100+
- 1949 Roosevelt dime — $5+
- 1949-D Roosevelt dime — $5+
- 1949-S Roosevelt dime — $6+
- 1950 Roosevelt dime — $5+
- 1950-S Roosevelt dime — $5+
- 1996-W Roosevelt dime — $12+
What Are The Most Valuable Dimes, Specifically?
Okay, now let’s get into the most valuable U.S. dimes by year…
Valuable Barber Silver Dimes
Okay, Barber dimes from 1892 to 1916 are really hard to find in circulation — let me just tell you that right now.
But believe it or not, some people have managed to find very worn examples of these late 19th- and early 20th-century coins in bank rolls and spare change!
While many Barber dimes aren’t really rare from a coin collecting standpoint, they are virtually elusive in circulation these days — so finding one is a real triumph for anybody. (Even if the Barber dime that turns up is a barely recognizable common-date.)
So what are old Barber silver dimes worth?
Well, the ones that you have the greatest likelihood of finding aren’t worth a whole lot. Most well-worn, common-date Barber dimes have a value of $5 to $10, and in some cases a bit less if they’ve been cleaned or have other types of damage.
Again though, you’ll have quite a story to tell if you actually find a Barber dime in circulation these days, and that’s an experience worth much more than 5 dollars!
Valuable Mercury Silver Dimes
Like Barber dimes, old Mercury silver dimes are also very difficult to find in circulation these days.
They’re somewhat more easily found in dime rolls — which is also true when you’re looking for other types of old dimes.
Mercury dimes were made during the years 1916 through 1945. Of those years, you’re most likely to find old silver dimes dating from 1934 through 1945. Overall though, these dates are considered to be quite common in the numismatic sense.
In fact, well-worn examples of Mercury dimes struck from the mid 1930s through mid 1940s are worth around $4 to $7.
That said, when you realize that only a very small number of people have actually found Mercury dimes in circulation since the 1970s, the novelty of snatching one of these beauties from pocket change or a dime roll is really quite spectacular!
Valuable Roosevelt Dimes
The Roosevelt dime first appeared in circulation in 1946 — just 1 year after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. Naturally, the Roosevelt dime was seen as a wonderful tribute to the man who had led the nation through not just the Great Depression but World War II, as well.
Millions of Roosevelt dimes were saved, and within a decade, several issues would become known as relatively scarce in the eyes of coin collectors.
Pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes are especially valuable because they contain silver!
Here’s a list of Roosevelt dimes that are worth more than face value, along with their current values:
- All Roosevelt dimes dated 1946 through 1964 — $4 and up
- 1949 dime (no mintmark) — $5+
- 1949-D dime — $5+
- 1949-S dime — $6+
- 1950-S dime — $5+
- 1951-S dime — $5+
- 1952-S dime — $6+
- 1955 dime (no mintmark)— $5+
- 1955-D dime — $5+
- 1955-S dime — $5+
- 1982 dime (no mintmark) — $100+
- 1996-W dime— $12+
- Worn copper-nickel proof Roosevelt dime with the “S” mintmark — $1
But Wait, There’s More
Now, let’s take this article about valuable dimes to the next level…
I’ve also compiled a separate list of all the super-valuable U.S. dimes!
While you aren’t as likely to find these in circulation, you will definitely have a gem on your hands if you happen to have one of these: The Ultimate List Of Rare U.S. Dimes.
Good luck in your search for U.S. dimes worth more than face value!
More About Old Silver Dimes
In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are a few of our other articles to help you learn more about old valuable dimes:
- How To Determine The Condition (Or Grade) Of Your Dime
- A List Of All U.S. Silver Coins By Denomination
- Old Coins You Might Have and What They’re Worth
- Silver Coins and the Silver Market — Past, Present & Future
- The Most Valuable U.S. Silver Coins
- DIY Dime Grading Tips
- All Silver U.S. Coin Prices Today
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