How much is a Dime Worth? The Amazing Value of Dime in 2023

How much is a dime worth? You might be wondering “How much does a dime really cost?”, “Are they even valuable?”, “How do I find a valuable dime?”, and “How much is a dime worth in 2023? Read down to see the answers to these queries!

Brief History of Dimes

The dime was the first coin made by the U.S. Mint, even before any Mint building existed. George Washington ordered the first run of dimes in 1792, which were made on a borrowed press kept in the owner’s basement.

The first dime produced in a U.S. Mint building was struck in 1796. The earliest 10-cent coins pictured Lady Liberty, either in the bust or full profile form.

From 1916 to 1945, designers put wings on Liberty’s head, leading people to mistake her for Mercury. (Today, these dimes are referred to as Mercury Dimes.) President Roosevelt’s image first appeared on the dime in 1946.

Traditionally, dimes were predominately silver, though some early ones were made of copper due to a silver shortage. The Coinage Act of 1965 removed all silver, replacing it with a combination of copper and nickel.

Like other coins, the most valuable dimes survive the years in mint condition. This does not mean the coin appears as it did when it was minted. Changes in coloration are normal and even expected.

Cleaning a coin may detract from its value. The dimes that command the most value are in excellent condition and rare, due to various reasons, including production errors, small quantities produced, or large quantities melted for their silver content.

Two organizations certify coins, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).

Both use the Sheldon Scale to assign a numerical rating, from 1 to 70. Coins rated 60 or higher are also referred to as “mint” state coins and are considered the most valuable.

How to Know Which Dimes Are Valuable

You can drive yourself batty going through pocket change trying to figure out which dimes are worth the big bucks. So many dimes, so little time, right?

So, which ones should you focus your energy on, and which can be spent freely?

It’s of course impossible to offer an exhaustive list of all valuable dimes in just this one blog post. Yet we can provide a thorough rundown of the key dimes you’re most likely to find in circulation.

Value of Dimes and Their Worth in 2023

Clad Dimes

The standard 2023 clad dimes in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $0.10. These coins only sell for a premium in uncirculated conditions.

Both the 2023 P dime and 2023 D dime are each worth around $2 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.

The 2023 S proof dime is worth around $2.50 in PR 65 condition.

Silver Proof Dime

This coin is worth at least its weight in silver. The silver melt value for this coin is $2.12 as of March 18, 2023. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $25.97 per ounce.

The 2023 S silverproof dime is worth around $5 in PR 65 condition.

Pre-1917 Dimes

If you come across any dimes minted before 1917, consider yourself lucky. These classic dimes are not only scarce, but they’re also very difficult to find in circulation.

These old coins can include Bust dimes, Liberty Seated dimes, and Liberty Head (or “Barber”) dimes (shown above). Depending on their condition, they may be worth anywhere from $5 to more than $100.

Mercury Dimes

Winged Liberty Head dimes, also known as Mercury dimes, are highly scarce. They do, however, turn up from time to time in circulation.

There were a few rare business strikes, such as the 1916-D, 1921, and 1921-D. There are also some other scarce varieties, including the 1942/1 and 1942/1-D overdates. All are worth hundreds of dollars or more in moderately circulated conditions.

Most Mercury dimes are relatively common in well-worn grades. They are generally worth $3 to $5 in those lower grades.

1946–1964 Roosevelt Dimes

Roosevelt dimes struck before 1965 are made from a 90% silver composition. They are worth a premium for their precious metal content.

Most Roosevelt dimes from the 1946–1964 period are very common. Thus they are worth only their precious metal value if worn. In general, well-circulated Roosevelt dimes made before 1965 are worth between $1.25 and $2.

No-S Roosevelt Dimes

Several proof Roosevelt dimes from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were minted at the San Francisco Mint without an “S” mintmark.

These No-S dimes were found only in proof sets. They should not be confused with pre-1980 business-strike dimes from the Philadelphia Mint. (The Philadelphia issues also do not carry a mintmark but are worth only face value if worn.)

These rare No-S dimes are worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $100,000.

1982 No-P Roosevelt Dimes

Some Philadelphia-minted Roosevelt dimes were struck without their “P” mintmarks. These pieces have become highly popular varieties.

While they are scarce, they can still be found in circulation with enough searching.

The most valuable examples are uncirculated pieces exhibiting a strong strike. Yet even worn examples are worth well above their face value. A typical 1982 No-P Roosevelt dime is worth $50 to $100.

1996-W Roosevelt Dimes

The United States Mint honored the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt dime in 1996. It introduced a special dime bearing the “W” mintmark from the West Point Mint.

These 1996-W dimes were distributed only in 1996 uncirculated sets. Yet some of the dimes have been removed from their cellophane packages only to be spent as regular money.

An uncirculated 1996-W Roosevelt dime is worth around $15. Circulated specimens are also worth a premium of about $5 to $10 apiece.

Dimes with Doubled Dies

With enough careful searching, you may find a doubled-die Roosevelt dime. This hub doubling may range from very light to drastic. But in all cases doubled dies are scarce collectibles that are worth decent premiums of $25 to $50 or more.

The more dramatic the doubled die, the more valuable it is. That’s particularly true if the doubling can be clearly seen with the naked eye. Some folks go bananas looking for a doubled die visible only under 5x magnification.

Dime Worth Grading System 2023

MS 65 gem uncirculated- There is strong luster and eye appeal. A few light contact marks may be present but they are barely noticeable. PR 65 proof- There are no flaws to this coin. A few blemishes may be present.

Tips For Looking For Valuable Dimes

Many people limit their search for rare and valuable dimes to simply the coins passing through their hands after a cash transaction.

That works. But there are more efficient ways to look for these collectible coins. You can check bankrolls, bags, and boxes obtainable at face value from the bank.

Looking through major quantities of dimes is highly efficient—far more so than waiting to find one or two dimes at a time through pocket change.

Searching through rolls, bags, and boxes of dimes can also be quite rewarding. Many people who aren’t collectors will look for every last coin of a denomination to fill up a roll, even if it means spending an old coin to do it.

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At this point, if you are keen about dimes and perhaps coins, you must have known so much about them from this article, their values, and interestingly how to find and discover a high-valued dime in 2023.

I believe this article is informative and educational as well. Share it with your friends on your social media platforms and do not forget to keep up with our website for more educating blog posts.

How much is a Dime Worth? The Amazing Value of Dime in 2023