There are a number of dimes and nickels that were minted during the 1970s that are highly in demand among collectors. You may not give much thought to the change jingling around in your pockets. If the auction is near, prices of some rare errors and high-grade coins from this decade may soar to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, many tens of thousands of coins sold for 700,000 dollars and above. So, if you are one of them interested in knowing which dimes and nickels of the 1970s are really worth a fortune, then just keep reading and find out what to look for.
Why Certain 1970s Dimes and Nickels Are Valuable
There is a lot of dimes and nickels minted during the 1970s, which are not very valuable, but they are under special conditions that can multiply its price manifold. Those conditions include if they contain:
- Mint Errors: Because they are very rare, the coins that contain mint errors like double dies, off-center strikes, or missing mint marks prove to be highly lucrative.
- High Grade Condition: Coins that are graded as Mint State (MS) or Proof. Specifically, MS65 and above have a very high demand.
- Low-mintage-numbered proof coins are highly valuable. These coins in this catalog were issued in the 1970s with low mintage numbers.
Key 1970s Coins That Could Be Worth a Fortune
Although almost all of the coins issued in the 1970s are worth little more than their face value, there are some real oddities that should bring some extraordinary prices. Some of the most outstanding examples include:
| Coin | Error Type/Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime | Missing mint mark (Proof) | $450,000 – $500,000 |
| 1976-D Jefferson Nickel | High-Grade (MS67+) | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| 1970-S Proof Dime | Double Die Obverse | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| 1971 Jefferson Nickel | Off-Center Strike | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 1979-S Type 2 Proof Dime | Clear “S” mint mark | $1,500 – $2,500 |
The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: A $500,000 Rarity
No. S Roosevelt Dime from 1975; one of the most valuable coins to come from the decade of the 1970’s. A mistake was struck at the San Francisco Mint and this coin was produced without the “S” mint mark. It is one of the rarest dimes ever minted because only a few known copies of this dime exist to this day. In the recent past, an auction for one of these dimes sold for over $450,000 .
Key features to look for:
- It is of proof grade and has a surface that is reflective.
- In the absence of the mint mark with a “S”
- It is more common to find proof sets than to find them in circulation.
The Rare 1976-D Jefferson Nickel
Also, there’s the 1976-D Jefferson Nickel. While there were many made, it is pretty rare to run across an example that was made in mint condition, like MS67 or higher, but the copies of the coin in decent condition can be sold for as much as collectors are willing to pay, and several examples have brought over $10,000.
The 1970-S Proof Dime with Double Die
The best another highly sought-after coin is the 1970-S Proof Dime with a double die obverse. Areas of the coin that best showcase the importance of doubling are the date and lettering on the obverse side of the coin. As if you get hold of it, the amount of the error would range from $5,000 to $7,500.
How to Identify Rare 1970s Coins
A good eye, and in a few instances a magnifying glass can be necessary for finding these coins. Look for the following:
- Mint Mark Anomalies Determine all of the mint marks are present, or if one is missing.
- Carefully look at the date and the letters to see if any indications of a doubling of the die are present.
- The value of high-grade coins meaning they don’t have any signs of wear, scratches, or flaws can be quite high.
- Off-center strikes: Coins that were not aligned properly when struck bear the name off-center strikes.
Tips for Selling Your Rare Coins
If you suspect that you may have found one of these rare coins, you should consider following the next steps to get the best possible price:
- Having it Graded: Have your coin graded by an authentic and renowned coin grading service such as PCGS or NGC.
- Some other auction houses that specialize in selling rare coins at the very best prices include Stack’s Bowers and Heritage Auctions.
- You should visit a coin dealer because local coin shops are able to give appraisals and may perhaps buy your rare discoveries as well.
Conclusion
Some other surreptitious treasures like the 1975 No-S Dime and error coins may fetch a small fortune though the 1970s may appear not to be a profitable coinage period. You may never know if you are sittting on that one rare coin that might fetch over 700,000 dollars; hence it’s prudent to inspect that loose change and old coin collections.
With this information, you may come across that “rare dime” or “rare nickel” among your spare change, which can actually prove to be treasure.
FAQs
1. What makes 1970s dimes and nickels valuable?
Few production runs, uncommon minting faults, or distinctive characteristics like off-center striking or misplaced planchets make some 1970s dimes and nickels desirable. At auction, these rare coins can sell for thousands of dollars, and occasionally even more than $700,000.
2. What specific 1970s dimes are worth more than $700,000?
Sales of the 1970-D and 1970-S dimes with significant minting flaws, including double dies or accidental blank planchets, have exceeded $700,000. The coins are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors because of these faults.
3. How can I identify a rare 1970s nickel?
Nickels from the 1970s that are rare, particularly those with off-center strikes, double die faults, or wrong metal composition, are extremely valuable. They can be recognized by closely examining the coin for peculiar wear patterns, misaligned lettering, or doubled letters that are not present in ordinary nickels.