It is hard to believe, but some of the most valuable dimes are worth over $1 million. However, why are some dimes valued at seven digits while others are only for the face value of "TEN CENTS" as indicated on the coin?
Sometimes it's difficult to tell rare dimes apart from common ones at first glance. This is particularly true when a novice collector is attempting to understand the distinctions between rare and valuable coins.
Let's look at a few of the most valuable dimes from the list below and discuss why their respective values exceed face value:
25,261 dimes were struck in that year, according to the US Mint. But it was standard procedure to use a die from the prior year until it broke or became worn out. Up to 3,864 units with the date 1796 might have been made and delivered to inventory in February 1797. Its exceptional worth of about $200,000 is determined by its immaculate state.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1797 Draped Bust Dime - 16 Stars | PCGS MS-66 | $199,750 |
The U.S. dime was redesigned in 1798 by mint engraver Robert Scot to include a heraldic eagle on the reverse. The skinny eagle that formerly graced the back of all U.S. dimes has been replaced with this new reverse.
When the United States Mint first started out, employees made coin dies one at a time and manually inscribed the date on each die. Compared to other coins made that year, the die type in question has a smaller numeral 8 in the date. Due to its impeccable condition, it is valued at over $250,000, making it even more than a quarter of a million dollars.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1798 Draped Bust Dime | NGC MS-66 | $253,000 |
The 1871-CC coin is extremely difficult to locate in mint condition, and it shares a similar design with the seated Lady Liberty on the 1841 dime. There aren't many people with this shape; nobody knows for sure. When one does occur, it is usually very valuable. In 2014, one went for $270,250.
In 1871, the first year the mint manufactured dimes, nearly 20,000 of these were coined in Carson City; just 110 are thought to have survived. Because of this, examples are helpful regardless of how perfect they are. Even now, 1871-CC worn dimes fetch hundreds of dollars. Under the wreath's lower center, search for the CC stamped on the dime's reverse.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1871-CC Liberty Seated Dime | NGC MS-65 | $270,250 |
The purpose of the Carson City, Nevada mint (CC mint mark) is to create coins for the US government using the Comstock Lode. In the middle of 1853, the United States Mint changed the weight of dimes from 2.67 grams to 2.49 grams due to the increasing cost of silver.
To show the decreased weight of the coin, the mint put pointed arrows on either side of the date. The superb grade of this specific piece, coupled with its low mintage from the Carson City mint site, makes it extremely valuable.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1873-CC Liberty Seated Dime - Arrows at Date | PCGS MS-65 | $282,000 |
The typical 1841 dime showed Lady Liberty reclining, her arms and body covered with modest cloth. A rare proof version, nevertheless, has a slight difference: her arm is left naked by the curtain. This form of the coin is known to exist in just two pieces, one of which brought $305,500 at auction in 2013.
This coin's extraordinary rarity adds to its value. There are also some unanswered questions regarding how and why it exists. Some believe that the drapery detail was removed due to excessive polishing. It appears more plausible, though, that it was a variant in design included in a proof set.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1841 Proof Liberty Seated Dime - No Drapery | NGC PR-67+ | $305,500 |
It is amazing that a coin that is more than 200 years old can still be found in such excellent shape. Coin collecting was not a common pastime in the early years of the United States. Making ends meet took precedence over engaging in leisure activities. But before it was used, someone took this coin out of circulation and kept it safe for future generations. Because it is the best-known example of an 1803 bust dime, this coin is extremely valuable.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1803 Draped Bust Dime | NGC MS-64 | $322,000 |
There is nothing unusual about a Mercury Dime from 1938-S. The United States Mint in San Francisco produced 8,090,000 of them, thus it's actually rather common. You can get a well-circulated copy for as little as two or three bucks.
This coin, though, has never been used and is in excellent shape. It received an MS-68+ grade from the Professional Coin Grading Service. A wealthy coin collector paid a high price to add this coin to his collection because there is no finer copy.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1938-S Mercury Dime | PCGS MS-68+ | $364,500 |
Only Proof coins were manufactured by the US Mint in 1975 at the San Francisco Mint. The "S" mint mark should therefore be present on every coin. Two coins, nonetheless, managed to get out of the mint unmarked. Theoretically, workers at the mint inadvertently created a proof coin without the mint mark.
All erroneously created coins without the "S" mintmark were purportedly destroyed by the mint. Only two of them remain, though. An earlier copy went up for $349,600 in August 2011 at the Chicago, Illinois, Stack's/Bowers ANA World's Fair of Money Auction.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime | PCGS PR-68 | $456,000 |
Here is another example of an antique coin that is in very good shape. According to Mint archives, just 21,760 dimes were made in that particular year. Fewer than 100 of these 1800 dimes are thought to remain available for coin collectors to get, according to numismatists. This sample merits this high coin grade because it is exceptionally well-struck and maintained. This coin is the best-known specimen of all known 1800 Draped Bust dimes in existence, thus anyone collecting coins and trying to put together the best collection of Draped Bust dimes would have to buy it.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 Draped Bust Dime | PCGS MS-66 | $352,500 |
There were just 13 states in the Union at the start of 1797. As a result, 13 stars were engraved around the coin's obverse by mint engraver Robert Scot. Scot, the mint engraver, added three more stars to the obverse design later that year.
In 1797, there were records indicating that a total of 25,261 dimes were minted. The quantities of dimes with 13 stars and those with 16 stars remain unspecified. We are aware that a finely preserved 1797 dime is an extremely uncommon and precious currency.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1797 Draped Bust Dime - 13 Stars | NGC MS-65 | $402,500 |
Coins in mint condition might have a strong demand for proofs, which increases the value of an already significant coin. With just 100,000 manufactured or less than 10% of the total minted the year prior in 1821, 1822 dimes are already extremely rare. On the other hand, proof copies of these dimes are nearly nonexistent. There are only two proof copies known to exist, according to Heritage Auctions, one of which sold for $440,625 in 2014.
Like on a cameo brooch, Lady Liberty is seen in profile on the Cameo dime. She is encircled by stars and has a "Liberty" headpiece on. An eagle and a shield are on the opposite side. Getting a Cameo dime assessed is highly recommended if you come across one, particularly if it dates back to 1822. Even if a proof copy is unlikely to be found, this coin is uncommon all by itself.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1822 Proof Capped Bust Dime | PCGS PR-66 Cameo | $440,625 |
One of the most valuable dimes, in 1804, the United States Mint produced a mere 8,264 dimes. There were thirteen stars on the reverse of some of these dimes, between the eagle and the cloud ring, and fourteen stars on the back of others.
The engraver chose how many stars to place above the eagle's head because each of these dies was individually engraved by the mint engravers. Only 20 coins have 14 stars on the reverse today, while numismatic experts estimate that there are 75 coins with 13 stars now in circulation.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1804 Draped Bust Dime - 14 Stars Reverse | NGC AU-58 | $632,500 |
There are currently just nine known instances of the 1894-S Barber dime, making it one of the rarest US coins in existence, according to PCGS Coin Trackers. A proof replica of one of the original 24 coins that were struck that year but were never minted. One sold for $1,997,500 at auction in January of 2016.
The dime features a picture of Lady Liberty on the front and the words "One Dime" stamped in the middle of a wreath on the back. Despite being a proof coin, a few were put into circulation; one appeared in the Gimbels Department Store in New York City in 1957.
This coin has a fascinating narrative associated with it that might or might not be real. According to legend, the supervisor of the San Francisco Mint handed three of the coins to his daughter to keep since he knew they would be extremely rare.
One sweltering day, she spent one of the three on ice cream on her way home from the mint. Whether the story is true or not, it's likely that more of this extremely precious dime has made its way into circulation and is still undiscovered.
| Name | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | PCGS Branch Mint PR66 | $1,997,500 |
Dimes are more than simply little ten-cent coins. Certain ones are extremely valuable and uncommon, with values in the thousands or even millions of dollars. These most valuable dimes often have unique stories, historical significance, or production errors that make them special.
Understanding the difference between a common dime and a rare one can be challenging, but it's a fascinating journey for collectors and enthusiasts. Whether you’re just starting or have been collecting for years, knowing about these top 13 most valuable dimes adds a new level of appreciation for these tiny yet significant pieces of history. Happy collecting!
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