Most of us handle coins every day without giving them a second thought. We toss them in jars, leave them forgotten in cup holders, or hastily hand them to cashiers.
Yet, among these seemingly ordinary pieces of currency might lurk extraordinary treasures—coins worth hundreds or even thousands of times their face value.
Particularly elusive dimes and special Bicentennial coins from America’s 200th birthday celebration can be worth far more than most people realize.
The thrill of the hunt keeps thousands of collectors eagerly checking their change, hoping to discover that one exceptional coin that’s been hiding in plain sight. Here are five particularly valuable specimens that could be mixed in with your ordinary pocket change right now.
1. The 1916-D Mercury Dime: The King of 20th Century Dimes
When the Denver Mint struck Mercury dimes in 1916, they produced just 264,000—a minuscule number compared to the millions made at other facilities that year. This limited mintage created what many consider the ultimate prize in American dime collecting.
Frank Colletti, who has operated his coin shop in Philadelphia for nearly three decades, explains why this particular dime commands such extraordinary prices: “The ’16-D Mercury isn’t just rare—it’s rare in a series that’s beautifully designed and passionately collected.
When you add in the historical significance of being from the first year of the Mercury design, you’ve got the perfect storm for collector demand.”
Even well-worn examples with significant damage routinely fetch $1,000 to $1,800, while specimens in better condition can bring $5,000 to $10,000. In pristine uncirculated condition, prices regularly exceed $100,000 at major auctions.
What makes this particularly exciting for casual searchers is that these dimes occasionally still turn up in rolls from banks, old collections, or even grandparents’ saved change.
In 2018, a construction worker in Ohio discovered a moderately worn 1916-D in a jar of coins he’d inherited from his great-uncle. The coin sold for $4,200—not bad for a ten-cent piece!
Authentication is crucial, however, as unscrupulous individuals sometimes alter the mintmark on more common 1916 Philadelphia dimes.
The mintmark appears on the reverse (tails side) near the base of the fasces, the bundle of rods with an ax blade that the design features.
2. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate: A Wartime Mistake
The early 1940s were chaotic at U.S. mints as production ramped up during World War II. In the rush, a 1941-dated die was incompletely effaced before being re-engraved with the 1942 date, creating what numismatists call an “overdate”—where remnants of the “1” remain visible underneath the “2” in the date.
“These overdates tell a fascinating story about American history,” explains Marion Weathers, curator of American coinage at a major Midwestern university.
“With skilled die workers being drafted and mints operating at maximum capacity to keep up with wartime demand, mistakes like this slipped through that would’ve been caught in peacetime. You’re literally holding a tangible connection to the home front during World War II.”
Two varieties exist—one from Philadelphia and a rarer version from Denver. The Philadelphia coin typically brings $500 to $800 in circulated condition, while uncirculated examples can reach $5,000 or more. The Denver version commands prices starting at $5,000 even for worn specimens.
What makes this error particularly appealing to casual coin searchers is that it’s visible without specialized equipment—once you know what to look for.
With a decent magnifying glass, the partial “1” poking out from underneath the “2” in 1942 is distinct enough that non-experts can identify it.
James Keller, who discovered his 1942/1 Philadelphia overdate while sorting through his grandfather’s collection, recalls: “I wasn’t even looking for anything valuable—just organizing the coins by date.
But something looked ‘off’ about the 2 in the date. When I checked a coin reference guide, I realized what I had found. It paid for my first semester textbooks at college.”
3. The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: A Modern Rarity
Not all valuable dimes are ancient history. In 1975, the San Francisco Mint accidentally produced a small batch of proof dimes without the expected “S” mintmark. These were included in proof sets sold to collectors, creating an instant rarity that continues to appreciate in value.
“The ’75 No-S is fascinating because it’s a modern error with a tiny surviving population,” explains Teresa Lopez, who specializes in proof coinage at her Austin coin shop. “The Mint caught the mistake quickly, so we estimate fewer than 500 exist, possibly as few as 300.”
What makes this coin particularly enticing is that it looks completely ordinary to the untrained eye—just a typical 1975 Roosevelt dime without a mintmark.
Most people wouldn’t give it a second glance. Yet these unassuming dimes routinely sell for $15,000 to $25,000 when properly authenticated.
“I always tell people to check their parents’ or grandparents’ old proof sets,” Lopez advises. “Especially if they’ve inherited collections from relatives who bought sets directly from the Mint in the 1970s. That’s where these treasures are hiding.”
Since the 1975 No-S dime was only issued in proof sets, you won’t find one in pocket change.
However, proof sets are frequently broken up by dealers or heirs unaware of what they contain, and the dimes sometimes enter circulation or get mixed into ordinary collections where they might be overlooked.
4. The 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter with Doubled Die Obverse
The Bicentennial quarter, with its colonial drummer design commemorating America’s 200th birthday, was produced in such enormous quantities that most are worth only face value. However, specific varieties have become highly prized by collectors.
The most valuable is the 1976-S silver proof variety with doubled die obverse (DDO). On these quarters, elements on Washington’s side of the coin appear doubled due to a misalignment during the die-making process.
The doubling is most noticeable in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” where careful examination reveals a distinct second impression.
Thomas Gardner, who wrote the definitive reference on Bicentennial coinage, notes: “What makes the ’76-S DDO quarter truly special is that it combines three collector interests—Bicentennial designs, silver content, and a major minting error. That intersection creates exceptional demand despite being a relatively recent coin.”
In top grades, these special quarters regularly command $300 to $700, with the finest examples occasionally breaking the $1,500 barrier.
Their relative newness means they’re often found in excellent condition, as many were saved as souvenirs of the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations.
Even regular 1976 quarters deserve a second look. The 40% silver versions (identifiable by the “S” mintmark and silvery coloration) typically sell for $5 to $15 depending on condition—not a fortune, but still a nice return on a 25-cent investment.
“People throw these quarters back into circulation all the time,” Gardner says. “They don’t realize the silver versions are worth more than face value, or they can’t distinguish between the regular clad quarters and the silver ones. That’s why checking your change carefully is so important.”
5. The 1976 Type 2 Bicentennial Dollar: The Overlooked Giant
The largest coin in the Bicentennial series, the Eisenhower dollar featuring the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon, offers several varieties worth far more than a single dollar.
The most valuable is the Type 2 reverse design on silver specimens. The easiest way to identify Type 2 dollars is by examining the lettering in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the reverse—Type 2 coins show clearer, more defined lettering with sharper serifs than Type 1 coins.
“The Bicentennial Ike dollars got overshadowed by the quarters because quarters circulated widely while the dollars mostly sat in drawers and safe deposit boxes,” explains Victoria Chang, auction specialist at a major coin auction house.
“That limited exposure actually preserved many in excellent condition, creating a pool of high-grade specimens for today’s collectors.”
Silver Type 2 Bicentennial dollars in pristine condition regularly sell for $100 to $250, with exceptional specimens occasionally reaching $500 or more. Even the regular clad versions with the Type 2 reverse can bring $20 to $60 in uncirculated condition.
Another valuable variety is the 1976-S proof silver dollar with doubled die reverse, showing distinct doubling on the lettering of “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
These specialized varieties typically bring $200 to $500 depending on condition and the prominence of the doubling.
Expert Tips for Finding Valuable Coins
Professional dealers and experienced collectors share several strategies for finding these valuable coins:
Check bank rolls systematically. “I still buy rolls of dimes from banks every week,” says collector Robert James from Chicago. “Over the years, I’ve found numerous valuable coins this way, including a 1942/1 overdate that paid for a family vacation. Bank rolls often contain coins that have been sitting in storage for decades.”
Look beyond obvious wear. “Some of the most valuable coins I’ve purchased from the public were so worn the owners thought they were worthless,” notes dealer Frank Colletti. “They focused on the coin’s physical condition rather than its date and mintmark, which is often where the real value lies.”
Examine inherited collections carefully. Family collections passed down through generations frequently contain valuable specimens. “People often inherit coins and assume they’re all worth face value unless they’re gold or obviously ancient,” explains Marion Weathers. “I’ve seen incredible rarities brought in by people who had no idea what their grandparents had saved.”
Use proper tools. A good magnifying glass or coin loupe (typically 5x to 10x magnification) is essential for spotting mint marks, overdates, and doubling. Good lighting is equally important—natural daylight or a balanced spectrum lamp shows details most clearly.
Learn the key dates and mintmarks. Even without specialized knowledge, familiarity with the most valuable dates in each series can pay huge dividends. “Just knowing to look closely at 1916-D, 1942/1, and 1975 no-mintmark dimes gives you an enormous advantage,” suggests Teresa Lopez.
Authentication Considerations
Given the significant value of these coins, counterfeits and altered specimens unfortunately exist. Before purchasing expensive examples—or celebrating too enthusiastically over a potential find—consider these authentication guidelines:
Professional grading is worth the cost. Services like PCGS, NGC, and ANACS authenticate coins and assign condition grades. “For any coin potentially worth over $200, professional grading is usually a worthwhile investment,” advises Victoria Chang.
Be especially cautious with the 1916-D. This valuable dime is frequently counterfeited by adding a “D” to a common 1916 Philadelphia dime. Under magnification, altered mintmarks often show tooling marks or inconsistent depth compared to other design elements.
Check diagnostic features. Each rare coin has specific identifying characteristics that go beyond date and mintmark. The 1942/1 overdate, for instance, shows particular remnants of the “1” in specific positions relative to the “2.”
Weight and composition matter. Silver coins have different weights and acoustic properties than clad or copper coins. A simple gram scale and the “ping test” (gently ringing the coin by suspending it on your fingertip and tapping it) can reveal compositions.
8 Rare Dimes and Bicentennial Coins
Whether you’re a serious collector or simply someone who enjoys checking their change, these five rare dimes and Bicentennial coins represent the exciting possibility that extraordinary value might be hiding in ordinary places.
Their stories connect us to American history, art, and craftsmanship—making the hunt as rewarding as the potential financial windfall of a great find.
As Robert James says, “Every time I search through a roll of coins, I’m doing more than looking for valuable pieces—I’m connecting with history in a tangible way.
These coins passed through countless hands before reaching mine, each with their own story. Finding something rare is exciting, but even when I don’t, there’s something deeply satisfying about the search itself.”
The next time you receive change or come across an old jar of coins, take a moment to look more carefully. That ordinary-looking dime or Bicentennial quarter might just be an extraordinary treasure hiding in plain sight—waiting for someone knowledgeable enough to recognize its true value.