Throughout American numismatic history, dimes have consistently provided some of the most intriguing and valuable treasure hunting opportunities for collectors.
These small silver discs, measuring just 17.91mm in diameter, have produced some extraordinary rarities that command astonishing prices in today’s market.
When coupled with a specific variety of the 1976 Bicentennial quarter, they represent the possibility that life-changing money might be hiding in ordinary pocket change or forgotten coin jars across the nation.
This article delves into five extraordinary dime varieties and one exceptional Bicentennial quarter that every collector, investor, and curious citizen should know about.
The hunt for these coins continues to fuel the passion of numismatists across America, from professional dealers to weekend hobbyists.
1. The 1916-D Mercury Dime: The King of 20th Century Dimes
Estimated Value: $1,200 to $22,000+
The 1916-D Mercury dime stands as the undisputed monarch of 20th-century dime collecting. Minted during the first year of the Mercury (or Winged Liberty Head) dime series at the Denver Mint, this coin’s extraordinary value stems from its surprisingly low mintage of just 264,000 pieces – minuscule compared to the millions of dimes typically produced.
The coin’s scarcity resulted from a practical decision at the Denver Mint, which prioritized quarter production over dimes that year. This administrative choice unwittingly created what would become one of America’s most sought-after coins.
What makes the 1916-D particularly fascinating is that it doesn’t look unusual to the casual observer. Only the small “D” mintmark on the reverse, beneath the fasces (the bundle of rods that symbolizes authority), distinguishes it from common Mercury dimes. This subtlety means that undiscovered examples might still lurk in old collections or coin jars.
In circulated condition, a recognizable 1916-D Mercury dime starts around $1,200. Examples in Fine condition can fetch $2,500 to $5,000. Uncirculated specimens command prices from $10,000 to well over $22,000 for pristine examples graded MS-65 or higher.
Counterfeits abound, typically created by adding a “D” mintmark to a common 1916 Philadelphia dime. Authentication through professional grading services is essential for this key date coin.
2. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate: A Wartime Mistake
Estimated Value: $500 to $12,500+
World War II created numerous challenges for the U.S. Mint, including accelerated production schedules and resource constraints. Amidst this pressure, a fascinating error occurred when a die for 1942 dimes was created by punching the new year over an existing 1941 die, resulting in the famous 1942/1 overdate.
Under magnification, the remnants of the “1” from 1941 are clearly visible beneath the “2” in 1942. This overdate occurred at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints, with the Philadelphia version (no mintmark) being considerably rarer and more valuable.
The 1942/1 overdate (P) can fetch $500 to $1,000 in circulated condition. Uncirculated examples start around $2,500, with premium specimens in MS-65 or better commanding $10,000 to $12,500 or more.
What makes this error particularly intriguing is its historical context, occurring during wartime production when the Mint was also transitioning from copper to steel cents to conserve strategic metals. The pressure to maintain coin production despite wartime constraints resulted in this numismatic treasure.
3. The 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime: A Modern Rarity
Estimated Value: $20,000 to $30,000+
Modern coin collecting received a significant boost when the 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt dime emerged as an extraordinary rarity. Proof coins, with their mirror-like fields and frosted designs, are specially made for collectors and always include the mint mark of the San Francisco facility where they’re produced.
However, in 1968, a very small number of proof dimes escaped the San Francisco Mint without the crucial “S” mintmark. Only about 12-15 examples are known to exist, making this one of the rarest modern U.S. coins.
The error likely occurred when an unfinished die (before the mintmark was added) was inadvertently placed into service. Quality control should have caught these errors, but a few slipped through and were included in proof sets sold to collectors.
The extraordinary rarity of this coin has pushed values into the stratosphere. Even in the early 1980s, this coin was selling for thousands of dollars. Today, when one reaches auction, prices typically exceed $20,000, with particularly fine examples commanding $30,000 or more.
The 1968 No-S stands as proof that valuable numismatic treasures aren’t exclusive to earlier eras—modern minting can produce significant rarities as well.
4. The 1894-S Barber Dime: A Legendary Rarity
Estimated Value: $1,000,000 to $2,000,000+
The 1894-S Barber dime represents coin collecting royalty—one of the most famous and valuable American coins ever produced. Its story is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, with only 24 specimens minted at the San Francisco Mint and merely 9-10 examples known to exist today.
Why so few were made remains debated among numismatists. One popular theory suggests that San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett had them struck to balance the mint’s accounting books by creating exactly $2.40 in silver coinage.
Another colorful story claims Daggett gave three specimens to his daughter, telling her to save them until she was older, but she allegedly spent one on ice cream.
Regardless of its origin story, the 1894-S dime has achieved legendary status among collectors. It forms part of the “Big Three” of American coin rarities, alongside the 1804 Silver Dollar and the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel.
The coin’s value reflects its extreme rarity. In nearly any condition, an 1894-S dime commands over $1 million. The finest known example sold at auction in 2016 for nearly $2 million. Even heavily worn specimens, if authenticated, would likely sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
For collectors, the 1894-S represents the ultimate trophy coin—a numismatic legend that combines extreme rarity, historical significance, and enduring mystique.
5. The 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime: The Ultimate Modern Rarity
Estimated Value: $450,000 to $550,000+
The 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt dime stands as perhaps the king of modern numismatic rarities. Similar to the 1968 No-S, this coin lacks the expected “S” mintmark on proof dimes produced at the San Francisco Mint. However, the 1975 version is astronomically rarer.
Only two verified examples are known to exist, both discovered in original proof sets. This extraordinary rarity likely resulted from an experimental die that somehow made it into production. Despite the Mint’s quality control processes, these two specimens escaped detection and entered the marketplace.
When the first example appeared at auction in 1979, it commanded a then-astonishing $38,550. The coin’s value has continued to appreciate dramatically, with recent valuations placing it between $450,000 and $550,000, making it among the most valuable coins minted after World War II.
What makes this coin particularly remarkable is that it appears completely ordinary to the casual observer. Without magnification and knowledge of what to look for, most people would never recognize this dime as anything special.
This reality fuels the dreams of collectors who hope that the next proof set they examine might contain the yet-undiscovered third example.
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, No S Proof: America’s Birthday Rarity
Estimated Value: $150,000 to $200,000+
As America celebrated its 200th birthday, the U.S. Mint produced special Bicentennial quarters featuring a colonial drummer on the reverse and dual dates “1776-1976” on the obverse. While millions of these quarters circulated through American commerce, a single extraordinary variety stands above all others: the No S Proof Bicentennial Quarter.
This exceptional rarity shares characteristics with the No-S dimes discussed earlier. As a proof coin produced at the San Francisco Mint, it should display an “S” mintmark. However, for reasons not fully explained, a small batch was struck without the critical mintmark.
Only two confirmed examples of this coin exist, discovered in original proof sets. The error likely occurred when an unfinished die was placed into service before receiving its mintmark, but the extreme rarity suggests that the error was caught very quickly.
When one of these quarters last appeared at auction in 2013, it realized $188,000. Today, numismatic experts estimate its value between $150,000 and $200,000, with potential for significant future appreciation given its historical significance and extreme rarity.
The No S Proof Bicentennial Quarter represents a perfect storm of numismatic desirability: extreme rarity, historical significance through its Bicentennial connection, and the continued popularity of quarter collecting among mainstream Americans.
How to Hunt for These Rarities
For those inspired to search for these numismatic treasures, here are practical approaches to consider:
Searching Circulation
Modern rarities like the 1975 No-S Proof dime or the No S Bicentennial Quarter won’t be found in circulation, as they exist only in proof sets. However, the occasional 1916-D Mercury dime or 1942/1 overdate might theoretically be discovered, though chances are exceedingly slim. Nevertheless, checking the dates and mintmarks on any Mercury dimes encountered in change or inherited collections could potentially yield a life-changing discovery.
Examining Proof Sets
For the No-S proof varieties, examining original government-issued proof sets from 1968, 1975, and 1976 provides the only realistic opportunity for discovery. Collectors should inspect the mintmark area under magnification, looking for the absence of the expected “S” mark.
Auction Monitoring
For serious collectors with substantial budgets, monitoring major numismatic auctions represents the most reliable way to acquire these rarities. Established auction houses like Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and others occasionally offer these coins, typically with proper authentication and grading.
Inherited Collections
Perhaps the most realistic scenario for discovering one of these rarities is through inherited collections that have remained unexamined for decades.
Countless stories exist of valuable coins discovered in estates, attics, and safety deposit boxes of relatives who collected during earlier eras.
Authentication Concerns
Given the exceptional value of these coins, counterfeits and altered specimens present significant concerns. Here are critical authentication considerations for each:
- 1916-D Mercury Dime: Watch for added “D” mintmarks on common 1916 Philadelphia dimes. The position and style of a genuine mintmark is distinctive.
- 1942/1 Overdate: Look for artificial enhancement of the underdate. Under proper magnification, a genuine overdate shows distinct characteristics that forgers struggle to replicate.
- No-S Proof Dimes and Quarter: Beware of removed mintmarks on genuine proof coins. Professional authentication is absolutely essential, as microscopic evidence of tampering is typically visible to experts.
- 1894-S Barber Dime: Given its seven-figure value, this coin should never be purchased without rigorous professional authentication, typically through PCGS or NGC grading services.
The Investment Perspective
From an investment standpoint, these coins have consistently outperformed many traditional investments over long periods. The 1975 No-S Proof dime, for instance, has appreciated from around $38,000 in 1979 to approximately $500,000 today—a return that outpaces many blue-chip stocks over the same period.
However, numismatic investment requires considerable expertise, patience, and typically substantial capital. These coins represent the pinnacle of their respective series and tend to appreciate most dramatically during strong economic cycles when disposable wealth seeks tangible assets.
For most collectors, the primary value lies not in potential financial return but in the historical connection, the thrill of the hunt, and the satisfaction of owning a piece of American monetary history that few will ever hold.
5 Rare Dimes and a Bicentennial Quarter coins
The five dimes and single Bicentennial quarter discussed in this article represent the pinnacle of modern American numismatics.
Their stories encompass administrative decisions, wartime pressures, experimental processes, and simple human error—all resulting in coins of extraordinary rarity and value.
While the chances of discovering one of these rarities in circulation or even in an old collection remain vanishingly small, their existence continues to fuel the imagination of collectors nationwide.
They stand as tangible reminders that extraordinary value can sometimes hide in ordinary objects, waiting for the knowledgeable observer to recognize their significance.
Whether viewed as investment vehicles, historical artifacts, or simply as objects of numismatic desire, these coins continue to captivate collectors at all levels.
Their stories, spanning more than a century of American coinage, reflect our nation’s history, industrial processes, and the enduring human fascination with rarity and discovery.
The next time you receive change or encounter an old coin jar, perhaps it’s worth taking a second look. While the odds are astronomically against finding one of these particular rarities, the possibility—however remote—continues to make numismatics one of America’s most enduring and rewarding hobbies.
