Rare Dimes Information
Rare dimes present an interesting combination of history, artwork, and investments within numismatics. Such small pieces of money have great value: valuable because of historical importance, a limited mintage, unique errors, or exceptional preservation state.
The beauty of rare dimes lies in the value beyond monetary value:
Historical Documentation:
Every coin tells a story of American craftsmanship, changing economic conditions, and cultural changes.
Investment Potential: Some examples have been sold for hundreds of thousands – even millions – of dollars.
Artistic Merit: Dimes are engraved with great detail from the early Draped Bust to the famous Mercury series.
The collectors’ market for dimes is active, with enthusiastic numismatists and serious investors creating a demand for high-grade specimens. Rare varieties have premium prices.
Especially popular dimes with:
- Mint errors
- Limited production runs
- Historical significance
- Exceptional preservation
It is worth noting that professional grading services like PCGS and NGC authenticate and grade these treasures. Their certification is assurance enough for buyers and sellers. This is how standardized values will be established in the market.
For the young collector, rare dimes indeed offer a particularly accessible entry point to numismatics: affordable with great potential returns.
1. 1894-S Barber Dime
Only 24 of the 1894-S Barber Dimes were minted, and fewer than a dozen exist, making it hard to come by and highly in demand by collectors at an astronomical price. An example was sold at auction for $1.9 million in 2016.
Key Features of the 1894-S Barber Dime
- Obverse Design: Liberty wears the crown
- Reverse Design: Dollar coin- Wreath
- Mint mark: “S” under wreath
Edge: Reed with 118 reed:
All the more exciting to own is this coin because, according to legend, Superintendent Daggett’s daughter, Hallie, once spent one of these dimes for ice cream unaware that a dime like that had such a value. Even the rarest of all available specimens to-day among collectors is called the “Ice Cream Specimen”.
One of the coins that should make up any collector’s inventory, whether a newbie or an old numismatist, is a 1894-S Barber Dime. With the immense historical value attached not to mention the rarity of the coins, this makes the real treasure in coin collecting.
2. 1975 “No-S” Proof Roosevelt Dime
The 1975 “No-S” Proof Roosevelt Dime is an error coin that only has two pieces known to exist. Among collectors, this rare dime is highly prized for lacking the “S” mintmark that otherwise appears on San Francisco Mint proof coins.
An Error Behind the Coin This error occurred during the minting process, when during the striking process, there was some omission of the “S” mint mark on the die used in striking these proof dimes. So instead of that “S” mint marking appearing below the date as it normally does, one finds a flat area as if something was missing here. Such error coins gain value due to their singular nature.
Recent Sales and Value
The value for the rare dime has grown quite significantly within the past few decades:
- Auction 2019: Sold for $456,000.
- Later Sale: Sold for $516,000
For those who are interested in knowing the worth of such rare coins, this 1975 dime value guide contains all information.
Characteristics of the Coin:
It has a pristine proof finish that features mirror-like surfaces and sharp strike details typical of proof coins. All known specimens are well preserved and grade Proof-68 or higher on the numismatic grading scale.
Rarity of the Coin:
Extreme rarity will be realized when considering a total of 2,800,000 dimes in the 1975 proof mintage, meaning these two specimens are quite numismatic treasures.
3. 1916-D Mercury Dime
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the iconic American coinage designs. Liberty on the obverse of the coin is clad in a winged Phrygian cap, hence the name “Mercury Dime” applied to it, even though it has little to do with the Roman god of commerce and communication. On the reverse is an olive branch wrapped in fasces, a Roman emblem of authority-strong but peaceful at the same time.
Main Features of the 1916-D Mercury Dime
- Obverse Design: Liberty Wearing a Winged Phrygian Cap
- Reverse Design: Fasces bound with an olive branch
- Struck at: Denver
- Low Mintage and High Demand
The Denver mint struck a mere 264,000 dimes, which stopped production without warning. Because of this low mintage, it is in extremely high demand among collectors, for a well-preserved example is selling between $10,000 and $200,000.
How to Grade the Value of the 1916-D Mercury Dime:
- Good (G-4): $1,000+
- Very Fine (VF-20): $5,000+
- Mint State (MS-65): $150,000+
Latest auction records show that prices are still going up higher, especially the higher grades. Last year 2022, an MS-67 flawless specimen sold at $207,000 as proof of the increasing value of this rare Denver mint dime among serious collectors.
4. 1942/1 Mercury Dime
This is a classic example of human mistake in coin stamping. When the dies are being prepared, a 1942 date stamp got punched over a section of an existing 1941 date, which helped produce an overdate variety that can only be detected using a glass. You should be able to notice the parts of a “1” under a “2” in the date.
Background of the Minting Error
This is the minting error which happened at the time of World War II when the Philadelphia Mint was working under pressure. This error was made both by Philadelphia and Denver, but the version of the coin that was made from Philadelphia is very rare.
Grading Factors of the Coin by Grading Services
Grading this coin involves considering the following issues in detail:
- Overdate Clarity
- Strike Quality
- Pattern of Freedom wings wear
- preservation of details on fasces.
- Current Market Value
Based on the current market, the price for a 1942/1 Mercury Dime graded MS-65 ranges between $500,000 and $700,000. However, there are some coins which carry higher values, those who have the following qualities are:
- Full Split Bands (FSB)
- Original mint luster
- Minimum contact marks
- Strong strike characteristics
- Rarity of Certified Examples
The Professional Coin Grading Service, PCGS, estimates there are less than 100 examples certified in mint state. That makes the 1942/1 Mercury Dime one of the most valuable varieties of its kind for the overdate error.
5. 1796 Draped Bust Dime
As part of early American coins, the 1796 Draped Bust Dime shows the country’s first-dimes mintage. Moreover, its design is rooted in Robert Scot’s artwork, a pioneer Chief Engraver of the United States Mint.
Design Notes
The obverse part of the coin features Liberty sporting flowing hair, draped classically in the style of a Roman. The symbol on the coin depicts young nation’s aspirations.
In the reverse side, one can find a small perched eagle among olive trees that stands for peace as well as strength.
Rarity and Value
Only 22,135 of these dimes were produced, making them very rare. Good-coined examples have sold for upwards of more than $800,000 at auction. In 2016, a mint state example sold for $881,250.
Collectors highly prize coins which display clear breast feathers on the eagle and clear hair strands on Liberty – features often worn out in circulation.
Conclusion:
Your spare change can turn out to hold a treasure of a lot of money hidden within it. Start checking those dimes in your coin jar-you know nobody really understands what rare coin is “there”.
Coin collecting brings exciting opportunities for building collections and potential returns on investments.
Here’s what you can do:
Learn about the basics of coin grading
- Join local numismatic societies
- Get in touch with certified coin dealers
- Document your findings
Keep your valuable coins in safe hands
The rare dimes we have been talking about show how common coins can become extraordinary investments. If you are a seasoned collector or just getting started, remember that the change you have today can become profit tomorrow. The excitement of finding a valuable coin makes every handful of change an adventure worth exploring.