Frank Moretti still remembers the day he made the discovery. Sorting through a jar of coins he’d accumulated over decades, the 67-year-old retired schoolteacher from Pittsburgh noticed something unusual about one of the dimes—a subtle difference in the design that distinguished it from the countless others he’d handled throughout his life.
“I almost overlooked it completely,” Moretti recalls, examining the coin under a desk lamp in his study. “I was rolling coins to take to the bank when this particular dime caught my eye. Something about the date just didn’t look right.”
That instinct led Moretti to take a closer look, revealing what coin experts later confirmed was a rare 1942/1 Mercury dime—a valuable overdate error worth thousands of dollars.
His discovery, while exceptional, isn’t unique. Across America, valuable dimes occasionally surface in everyday transactions, forgotten inheritance collections, and even in rolls from banks, rewarding observant finders with substantial windfalls.
Here’s a look at ten of the most valuable dimes in American numismatic history—miniature treasures that might be hiding in your own pocket change or coin jar.
1. 1894-S Barber Dime: The Million-Dollar Dime
Estimated Value: $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
The undisputed king of rare dimes, the 1894-S Barber dime represents a perfect storm of rarity, mystery, and demand. With only 24 specimens minted and just nine confirmed to exist today, this coin has achieved legendary status among collectors.
“The 1894-S is the unicorn of American dimes,” explains Eleanor Martinez, curator of American coinage at a prominent numismatic museum. “What makes it extraordinary isn’t just its rarity but the fascinating story behind its creation.”
According to numismatic lore, San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett ordered the striking of 24 special dimes to balance the mint’s books, which were off by $2.40.
He allegedly gave three to his daughter, telling her to save them until she was older as they would be valuable someday. As the story goes, she spent one on ice cream on the way home—a decision that would prove costly given the coin’s current value.
While most of us will never encounter an 1894-S Barber dime, its legendary status drives interest in dime collecting generally, prompting more people to examine their change carefully.
2. 1916-D Mercury Dime: The Key Date
Estimated Value: $1,000 – $10,000+ (circulated); $15,000 – $200,000+ (uncirculated)
When the Mercury dime design debuted in 1916, the Denver mint produced only 264,000 specimens—a minuscule number compared to the millions struck at other mints that year.
This limited mintage occurred because the Denver mint focused on producing quarters instead, creating what would become the most valuable regular-issue Mercury dime.
“The 1916-D is the dream coin for Mercury dime collectors,” notes James Wilson, a coin dealer who specializes in 20th-century American coinage.
“What makes it particularly challenging is that most entered circulation before anyone realized how rare they would become. Finding one in uncirculated condition is extraordinarily difficult.”
Thomas Rodriguez, a construction worker from Chicago, discovered a worn 1916-D Mercury dime while metal detecting at a local park in 2019.
“I almost didn’t recognize its significance until I showed it to a colleague who collects coins. Even in heavily worn condition, it sold for enough to cover my daughter’s first semester of college textbooks.”
The distinctive “D” mintmark appears on the reverse of the coin, just to the right of the fasces (the bundle of rods with an ax blade).
3. 1942/1 Mercury Dime: The Wartime Error
Estimated Value: $500 – $5,000 (circulated); $10,000 – $50,000+ (uncirculated)
The coin that Moretti discovered represents one of the most famous errors in American numismatics. During World War II, as the mint rushed to produce coinage, a die for 1942 dimes was created by punching the numeral “2” over a previously punched “1,” creating what collectors call an overdate error.
“If you look closely at the date, you can see the remnants of a ‘1’ underneath the ‘2’,” explains Martinez. “This error occurred at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints, though the Philadelphia version is more common.”
This error is particularly fascinating as it provides a tangible connection to the wartime production pressures facing the mint.
When America entered World War II, the demand for coinage increased dramatically while experienced mint personnel were lost to military service or defense industry jobs.
“I never thought I’d find something so valuable just sorting through pocket change,” Moretti says. “After authentication, I sold it for enough money to take my wife on our dream vacation to Italy—not bad for a coin I nearly deposited at face value.”
4. 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime: The Modern Rarity
Estimated Value: $10,000 – $20,000+
Not all valuable dimes are ancient history. The 1968 No-S proof dime represents a modern rarity created when the San Francisco mint accidentally produced proof coins without the “S” mintmark that should have appeared.
“Proof coins are specially struck for collectors with polished dies and extra care,” Wilson explains. “The fact that these error coins made it through quality control is remarkable, especially considering how obvious the missing mintmark should have been to inspectors.”
Fewer than 20 authentic examples are known to exist, all from proof sets sold directly to collectors that year. This rarity demonstrates that valuable coins continue to be created even in the modern era, giving contemporary collectors the opportunity to make significant discoveries.
“These dimes would only be found in proof sets, not in circulation,” cautions Martinez. “But they demonstrate why collectors should examine all their coins carefully, regardless of age.”
5. 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: The Rarest Modern Proof
Estimated Value: $300,000+
Even rarer than its 1968 counterpart, the 1975 No-S proof dime is considered one of the rarest modern American coins, with only two examples confirmed to exist. Like the 1968 version, these were proof coins mistakenly struck without the “S” mintmark.
“The extreme rarity comes from the fact that mint employees caught the error very early in production,” explains Wilson. “The two known examples were discovered in proof sets purchased directly from the mint.”
The most recent sale of a 1975 No-S dime occurred in 2019, when one sold for over $450,000 at auction, making it the most valuable modern dime by a significant margin.
“This coin reminds us that lightning can strike twice,” notes Martinez. “The same error that created the 1968 No-S dime happened again, but with even fewer specimens escaping into collectors’ hands.”
6. 1796 Draped Bust Dime: America’s First
Estimated Value: $5,000 – $50,000 (circulated); $100,000 – $250,000+ (uncirculated)
The 1796 Draped Bust dime holds a special place in American numismatic history as the first dime ever produced by the United States Mint.
Only 22,135 were struck, and these early coins were produced using relatively primitive technology compared to later issues.
“These first dimes have tremendous historical significance,” notes Robert Chen, a specialist in early American coinage. “They represent the beginning of America’s decimal coinage system, a revolutionary concept at the time.”
What makes the 1796 dime particularly fascinating is that it lacked a denomination—nowhere on the coin does it say “ten cents” or “dime.” Early Americans were expected to recognize its value based on size and composition.
Most surviving examples show significant wear, as they circulated during a time when coins were scarce and needed for commerce. Even heavily circulated specimens command prices in the thousands due to their historical importance and rarity.
7. 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime: The Carson City Rarity
Estimated Value: $5,000 – $100,000+ (depending on condition)
The Carson City mint in Nevada, which operated from 1870 to 1893, produced some of the most collectible American coins, with its distinctive “CC” mintmark highly prized by collectors.
The 1874-CC dime represents one of the scarcest issues from this frontier mint, with only 10,000 originally produced and fewer than 50 believed to exist today.
“These dimes circulated in the rough-and-tumble mining communities of Nevada and California,” Chen explains. “They weren’t treated gently, which is why finding one in good condition is so difficult.”
Sarah Williams, a dealer specializing in western Americana, notes: “The Carson City dimes tell the story of the American frontier in a way few other coins can. They were struck from silver mined locally during the Comstock Lode boom that helped build the American West.”
The “CC” mintmark appears on the reverse below the wreath, making these dimes easily identifiable even to novice collectors—if you’re lucky enough to encounter one.
8. 1921 and 1921-D Mercury Dimes: Post-War Scarcities
Estimated Value:
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1921: $50 – $2,000 (circulated); $3,000 – $50,000+ (uncirculated)
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1921-D: $75 – $3,000 (circulated); $5,000 – $70,000+ (uncirculated)
Following World War I, economic recession led to reduced coin production across all denominations. The Mercury dimes from 1921 had particularly low mintages, with just 1.23 million from Philadelphia and 1.08 million from Denver—tiny numbers compared to the tens of millions typically produced in other years.
“The 1921 issues represent the lowest mintages of the Mercury dime series aside from the 1916-D,” notes Wilson.
“What makes them particularly challenging is that they circulated heavily during the Roaring Twenties and Depression years, meaning well-preserved examples are genuinely scarce.”
Michael Thompson, a construction worker from Denver, discovered a 1921-D Mercury dime in his father’s collection after his passing. “Dad wasn’t even a collector—he just kept coins that looked interesting to him.
When I had the collection appraised, the dealer got really excited about this one dime. Even in its worn condition, it sold for enough to help cover Dad’s funeral expenses.”
9. 1860 Seated Liberty Dime: The Transitional Issue
Estimated Value: $1,000 – $30,000+ (depending on variety and condition)
The year 1860 marked a transitional period for Seated Liberty dimes, with several design changes creating valuable varieties.
Most notably, some 1860 dimes feature the pre-Civil War design without a legend on the obverse, while others show the updated design with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surrounding Liberty.
“These transitional issues fascinate collectors because they capture a specific moment in American history,” explains Martinez.
“The nation was on the brink of Civil War, and these design changes were being implemented just as the country began to fracture.”
What makes certain 1860 dimes particularly valuable is the combination of mintmark and design variant, with some of the rarest featuring the transitional designs from the New Orleans or San Francisco mints.
“Even in worn condition, these transitional dimes command a premium,” notes Chen. “They represent a pivotal year in both numismatic and American history.”
10. 1838-O Seated Liberty Dime: The New Orleans Rarity
Estimated Value: $5,000 – $75,000+ (depending on condition)
Rounding out our list is the 1838-O Seated Liberty dime, one of the first coins struck at the newly established New Orleans mint.
With a mintage of just 489,034 and most lost to time or heavy circulation, these historic dimes have become highly sought after by collectors.
“The 1838-O represents the expansion of the American monetary system into the South,” explains Martinez. “New Orleans was a crucial commercial hub, and establishing a mint there was essential for facilitating trade throughout the Mississippi River basin.”
What makes these dimes particularly special is their place in mint history—they were among the very first coins to bear the “O” mintmark, which appears on the reverse below the wreath.
“Finding an 1838-O in any condition is a notable achievement for collectors,” Wilson notes. “They represent the beginning of branch mint coinage that would eventually expand across the country as America grew westward.”
10 Rare Dimes value in USA market is $260 Million each
While finding one of these ten rare dimes in circulation today ranges from unlikely to virtually impossible, other valuable dimes do occasionally turn up in pocket change. Experts recommend several approaches for those interested in checking their own coins:
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Examine dates carefully: Pay special attention to Mercury dimes from 1916, 1921, and 1942, as these years contain the most valuable varieties.
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Look for mintmarks: The small letters indicating where coins were minted (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, O for New Orleans, CC for Carson City, no mark for Philadelphia) can dramatically affect value.
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Check for errors: Use a magnifying glass to look for doubled designs, overdates, or other minting errors.
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Inspect proof coins separately: If you’ve inherited proof sets, check them carefully for missing mintmarks or other varieties.
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Consider condition: Even common dates can have value if they’re in exceptional condition with full original luster and minimal wear.
“The beauty of coin collecting is that valuable finds can still occur,” observes Moretti, reflecting on his lucky discovery. “Most of what we handle will be worth face value, but those rare exceptions make examining your change worthwhile—not to mention educational and fun.”
Whether you discover a million-dollar rarity or simply gain appreciation for the history in your pocket change, the hunt for valuable dimes connects modern Americans with the nation’s rich numismatic heritage—one small silver disc at a time.