Every day, millions of Americans handle coins without a second thought, tossing them into cup holders, dropping them into tip jars, or allowing them to gather dust in forgotten piggy banks.
Yet within this sea of seemingly ordinary currency lurk extraordinary treasures—coins that appear unremarkable at first glance but harbor tremendous value to collectors and investors.
Among these numismatic gems, certain dimes and a specific variety of Bicentennial quarter stand out for their exceptional rarity and worth, sometimes exceeding thousands or even millions of times their face value.
The thrill of the hunt keeps collectors searching through rolls of coins and change jars in hopes of discovering these elusive specimens.
Here are six rare dimes and one valuable Bicentennial quarter that might be hiding in your pocket change or household coin stash right now.
1. The 1916-D Mercury Dime: King of 20th Century Dimes
When the United States Mint introduced the elegant “Mercury” dime design (featuring Liberty wearing a winged cap, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury) in 1916, the Denver facility produced a remarkably small number—just 264,000—compared to the millions made at other mints that year. This created what many collectors consider the ultimate prize in dime collecting.
Thomas Rodriguez, who’s operated a coin shop in Chicago for nearly three decades, explains the coin’s enduring appeal: “The ’16-D Mercury represents a perfect storm of numismatic desirability.
It’s the key date from the first year of a beloved design, produced in extremely limited quantities, and difficult to find in any condition. When you discover one, it’s like finding numismatic royalty.”
Even heavily 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. In 2018, a particularly exceptional specimen graded MS-67 (on a 70-point scale) sold for a staggering $207,000.
The excitement surrounding this coin stems partly from its continued discoverability. Unlike ancient coins locked away in museums, 1916-D Mercury dimes occasionally turn up in neglected collections, old coin albums, or even rarely in circulation.
James Wilson, a construction worker from Ohio, discovered a moderately worn 1916-D in a jar of coins he’d inherited from his great-uncle. The coin sold for $3,800—not bad for a ten-cent piece!
2. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate: Wartime Error
During the production pressures of World War II, an intriguing error occurred at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.
Dies originally dated 1941 were incompletely effaced before being recut 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 prominent Midwestern university.
“With skilled workers being drafted and mints operating at maximum capacity for the war effort, mistakes like this slipped through that would’ve been caught in peacetime. You’re literally holding evidence of the home front’s wartime challenges.”
The Philadelphia version (1942/1) typically sells for $500 to $800 in circulated condition, while uncirculated examples can reach $5,000 or more.
The Denver version (1942/1-D) is significantly rarer and more valuable, with even worn specimens commanding $4,000 to $7,000 and choice uncirculated examples exceeding $25,000.
What makes these overdates particularly intriguing for casual searchers is that they’re visible with modest magnification. With a decent loupe, the partial “1” peeking out from underneath the “2” in 1942 is distinct enough that non-experts can identify it.
3. The 1921 and 1921-D Mercury Dimes: Depression-Era Rarities
As America entered an economic downturn following World War I, coin production declined significantly. The 1921 Mercury dimes from both Philadelphia (1.23 million minted) and Denver (1.08 million) represent key dates in the series, with values far exceeding typical dimes from the era.
“The early 1920s recession directly affected coinage production,” notes economic historian Eleanor James. “Fewer coins were needed for commerce as economic activity contracted, and those that were made circulated heavily as people struggled financially. Few had the luxury of setting coins aside during tough times.”
The 1921 Philadelphia dime typically sells for $50 to $150 in worn condition, while the scarcer 1921-D commands $70 to $200. In uncirculated condition, prices increase dramatically: $1,000 to $4,000 for the 1921 and $1,500 to $6,000 for the better-preserved 1921-D specimens.
Sarah Martinez, who works at a bank in Kansas, recalls an extraordinary find: “An elderly customer brought in several rolls of dimes to deposit, and I noticed they were all old Mercury dimes.
With his permission, I exchanged them for modern dimes and purchased the rolls. Among them was a nice 1921 that a dealer later purchased for $125. It pays to check your change!”
4. The 1894-S Barber Dime: The Million-Dollar Dime
The undisputed king of rare American dimes, the 1894-S Barber dime represents numismatic legend incarnate. With only 24 specimens struck at the San Francisco Mint and merely 9 confirmed to exist today, this dime stands among the most famous American coin rarities.
“The 1894-S isn’t just rare—it’s surrounded by fascinating stories,” explains Frank Colletti, a numismatic author and researcher.
“The most enduring tale involves San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett, who supposedly had the coins struck for banker friends, giving three to his daughter with instructions to save them until she was older. Legend claims she spent one on ice cream on her way home.”
While that story remains unverified, the coin’s value is undisputed. Recent sales have exceeded $2 million, making these dimes worth an astonishing 20 million times their face value. In 2016, one exceptionally preserved specimen sold for $1,997,500 at auction.
What makes this coin particularly tantalizing for collectors is that not all specimens have been accounted for.
Some experts believe additional examples could conceivably exist in old collections or family heirlooms, unrecognized for their extraordinary worth.
5. The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime: Modern Rarity
Not all valuable dimes date back decades or centuries. In 1975, the San Francisco Mint accidentally produced a small number of proof Roosevelt dimes without the expected “S” mintmark. These were mistakenly included in proof sets sold to collectors, creating an instant rarity.
“The ’75 No-S is fascinating because it’s a modern error with a tiny surviving population,” notes Teresa Lopez, who specializes in proof coinage at her Denver coin shop. “The Mint caught the mistake quickly, so we estimate fewer than 500 exist, possibly as few as 300.”
These otherwise ordinary-looking dimes routinely sell for $15,000 to $25,000 when properly authenticated. What makes them particularly interesting is their visual ordinariness—they look exactly like regular 1975 Roosevelt dimes, with nothing obviously unusual to the casual observer.
Jennifer Parker, whose father collected proof sets during the 1970s, discovered her family owned one of these rarities during an estate evaluation: “We had no idea that one of dad’s proof sets contained anything special. It just looked like all his other annual sets. The coin eventually sold for $18,600—more than all his other coins combined.”
6. The 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime: The First of Its Kind
The first of the “No-S” proof errors occurred in 1968, when the San Francisco Mint similarly failed to add mintmarks to a small number of proof dimes.
This mistake created the initial example of what would become a small series of No-S proof errors through the 1970s and early 1980s.
“The 1968 No-S has particular historical significance as the first of these proof mintmark errors,” explains Robert Chen, an error coin specialist. “It established a pattern of mistakes that would sporadically recur over the next 15 years. They’re like numismatic siblings, with the 1968 being the firstborn.”
With approximately 30,000 produced, it’s more common than the 1975 No-S, but still quite scarce. Properly authenticated specimens typically sell for $7,500 to $15,000 depending on condition and eye appeal. The highest quality examples, with pristine mirror-like surfaces, can exceed $20,000 at auction.
Since these coins were only released in proof sets, they won’t be found in circulation. However, as proof sets are sometimes broken up or mishandled by non-collectors, these valuable dimes occasionally appear in dealer “junk boxes” or mixed coin lots, unrecognized for their true identity and value.
7. The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter: Finding Treasure in the Nation’s Birthday Coin
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, certain varieties have become highly sought-after by collectors.
The most valuable is the 1976-S silver proof with doubled die obverse (DDO). On these quarters, elements on the obverse (front) appear doubled due to a manufacturing error in the die-making process. The doubling is most noticeable in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
“What makes the ’76-S DDO quarter truly special is that it combines three collector interests—Bicentennial design, silver composition, and a major minting error,” explains Thomas Gardner, curator of American coinage at a major Western university. “That intersection creates exceptional demand despite being a relatively recent coin.”
These special quarters regularly command $300 to $700 in top condition, with the finest examples occasionally reaching $1,500 or more. One particularly impressive specimen sold for $3,600 at auction in 2019.
Even regular 1976 quarters deserve a second look. The 40% silver versions (identifiable by the “S” mintmark and slightly different luster compared to standard copper-nickel coins) typically sell for $5 to $15 depending on condition—not a fortune, but still an excellent return on a 25-cent coin.
Margaret Wilson, a retired teacher from Florida, shares her experience: “I saved rolls of Bicentennial quarters when they came out because I thought they were historically significant.
Decades later, I discovered some were the silver versions and others showed doubling in the lettering. A coin dealer purchased several of the better ones for over $500—a nice return on quarters I’d forgotten in a drawer for forty years.”
6 Rare Dimes and a Bicentennial Quarter
For those hoping to discover these valuable coins in their own collections, several key examination techniques can help:
Examine dates carefully: The year is the first indicator of potential value, particularly for the 1916-D, 1921, 1921-D, and 1942/1 Mercury dimes.
Check mintmarks: Look for the tiny letter on the reverse (tails side) of Mercury dimes (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, no mark for Philadelphia) and on the obverse (heads side) of Roosevelt dimes.
Use magnification: A simple 5x or 10x magnifying glass can reveal doubled dies, overdates, and other valuable varieties. For Bicentennial quarters, closely examine the lettering for signs of doubling.
Know the proper weight: Silver Bicentennial quarters weigh slightly more (5.75g) than standard copper-nickel quarters (5.67g). An inexpensive digital scale can distinguish between them.
Beware of counterfeits: Unfortunately, valuable dates like the 1916-D are frequently counterfeited. When in doubt, seek professional authentication, particularly for any coin potentially worth over $100.
Sarah Chen, a numismatist who conducts educational programs at coin shows nationwide, offers this practical advice: “Create a checklist of the key dates and varieties to watch for, and make it a habit to check every dime and quarter that passes through your hands.
It only takes seconds once you know what to look for, and that small effort could lead to a significant discovery.”
As millions of these coins continue circulating decades after their minting, the possibility remains that undiscovered treasures await in cash registers, piggy banks, and inherited collections across America. The next valuable rarity might be hiding in plain sight—perhaps even in your pocket right now.