That jar of loose change sitting on your dresser might contain more than just spare cash for laundry or coffee. Hiding among ordinary pocket change, certain dimes and Bicentennial coins can be worth hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars to knowledgeable collectors.
While finding a truly rare coin might seem like winning the lottery, discoveries happen regularly enough to keep coin hunters searching through rolls and collections with dedicated enthusiasm.
This exploration reveals five extraordinarily valuable dimes and several surprising Bicentennial coins that command impressive premiums.
From genuine rarities to overlooked varieties, these coins represent the fascinating intersection of history, minting errors, and collector enthusiasm that drives the numismatic marketplace.
Rare Dimes: Small Coins With Massive Value
Among America’s smallest circulation coins, dimes have produced some of the most valuable rarities in U.S. numismatic history. These five stand out for their extraordinary worth and compelling stories.
1. The 1894-S Barber Dime: The Three Million Dollar Coin
The undisputed king of rare dimes, the 1894-S Barber dime represents one of the most legendary coins in American numismatics.
With only 24 examples struck at the San Francisco Mint and merely 9 confirmed survivors known today, this dime has achieved mythical status among collectors.
The story behind its creation adds another layer of fascination. San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett reportedly ordered these dimes struck to balance the mint’s books by an odd $2.40.
According to numismatic lore, he gave three to his daughter Hallie, telling her to save them as they would be valuable someday. She allegedly spent one on ice cream, creating the famous “Ice Cream Specimen” that collectors still discuss today.
In terms of value, the 1894-S has reached stratospheric heights:
- In 2016, an example graded Proof-66 by PCGS sold for $1,997,500 at auction
- In 2019, another specimen brought $1,320,000
- A particularly pristine example reportedly changed hands privately for over $2,000,000
- The theoretical value for a perfect specimen today could exceed $3,000,000
The combination of extreme rarity, historical significance, and fascinating backstory makes this tiny dime one of the most coveted coins in American numismatics.
2. The 1916-D Mercury Dime: Denver’s Rare Masterpiece
While not reaching the seven-figure values of the 1894-S, the 1916-D Mercury dime represents the key date in one of America’s most beloved coin series.
With only 264,000 struck—a fraction of the millions produced at other mints that year—this first-year rarity became an instant collector’s item.
The Denver Mint prioritized quarter production over dimes in late 1916, resulting in this unexpectedly low mintage.
When collectors began assembling Mercury dime sets years later, they discovered how difficult this particular date-mint combination was to find, especially in higher grades.
Today, values vary dramatically based on condition:
- Well-worn examples: $1,000-$3,000
- Mid-grade circulated specimens: $5,000-$10,000
- Uncirculated examples: $10,000-$30,000
- Gem specimens with full bands (complete horizontal bands on the fasces): $50,000-$150,000+
In 2018, a perfect MS68 Full Bands example sold for $207,000, showing the premium collectors place on exceptional preservation.
Despite their value, these coins occasionally surface in old collections where owners remain unaware of their significance.
3. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime: The Wartime Overdate
Among the most visually dramatic minting errors in U.S. coinage, the 1942/1 Mercury dime resulted from economic measures during World War II.
To save resources, the Mint reused a 1941-dated die, attempting to re-engrave it as 1942. The result: clear remnants of the “1” remain visible beneath the “2” in the date.
Two varieties exist—one from Philadelphia (no mintmark) and an even rarer Denver version (with D mintmark). The Philadelphia version typically brings:
- $500-$1,500 in circulated grades
- $2,500-$7,500 in lower mint state
- $10,000-$30,000 for gem examples
The scarcer Denver counterpart commands approximately triple these values. What makes this error particularly appealing to collectors is its visibility—the overdate can be seen without magnification, making it accessible to novice collectors who might discover one in circulation.
4. The 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime: Modern Rarity
In 1968, a small number of proof Roosevelt dimes were struck without the expected “S” mintmark from the San Francisco facility.
While exact production figures remain unknown, experts estimate fewer than 30 exist, making this a significant modern rarity.
These coins were distributed only in proof sets, creating a sensation when collectors discovered the error. Today, authentic examples command $10,000-$20,000 at auction. Similar “No S” proof dimes were produced in 1970, 1975, and 1983, each representing significant collecting opportunities.
Despite their substantial value, these coins occasionally remain undiscovered in original government proof sets, representing potential windfalls for collectors who examine their holdings carefully.
5. The 1796 Draped Bust Dime: America’s First
As America’s first dime, the 1796 Draped Bust carries immense historical significance. Designed by Robert Scot, the coin features a portrait of Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and a small eagle on the reverse.
With fewer than 1,000 surviving from the original mintage, these coins connect collectors directly to the earliest days of the United States Mint.
Values depend dramatically on condition:
- Heavily circulated examples: $5,000-$15,000
- Problem-free circulated specimens: $20,000-$50,000
- Uncirculated examples: $100,000-$300,000
A particularly pristine specimen graded MS67 sold for over $800,000 in 2019, demonstrating the premium placed on exceptional condition for early American coinage.
As America’s first dime, this issue holds special appeal for collectors of early American coins and type sets.
Bicentennial Coins: America’s Birthday Money
The Bicentennial coinage program of 1975-1976 produced billions of quarters, half dollars, and dollars bearing the dual date “1776-1976” to commemorate America’s 200th birthday.
While most remain worth only face value, several varieties command substantial premiums from collectors.
The 1976 No-S Proof Bicentennial Quarter: A Legitimately Rare Treasure
By far the most valuable Bicentennial coin is the legendary “No S” proof quarter. Normally, all proof coins struck at the San Francisco Mint bear the “S” mintmark below Washington’s bust.
However, in a rare minting error, a small number of Bicentennial quarter proof dies were created without the crucial “S” mintmark.
With possibly fewer than 15 examples known, these quarters represent genuine rarities:
- Recent auction prices range from $40,000 to $55,000
- A particularly well-preserved specimen graded PR68 sold for $52,875 in 2020
All known examples emerged from proof sets sold directly by the U.S. Mint, meaning this variety never entered circulation. Authentication requires professional grading, as the variety has been extensively counterfeited.
Silver Composition Varieties: Hidden Value in Special Metals
The U.S. Mint produced special 40% silver versions of all three Bicentennial coins (quarter, half dollar, and dollar) for collectors.
While not rare in absolute terms, these silver versions carry significant premiums over their face value:
- Silver Bicentennial quarters: $5-$15 in typical condition
- Silver Bicentennial half dollars: $8-$20
- Silver Bicentennial dollars: $12-$25
For particularly well-preserved specimens with minimal handling marks, values can reach $50-$100.
These silver issues were never released for circulation, appearing only in special mint sets and proof sets, though they occasionally get spent by uninformed inheritors of collections.
The Doubled Die Bicentennial Quarter: Hidden Variety
Several doubled die varieties exist among Bicentennial quarters, with the most prominent showing doubling on the obverse (front) design, particularly visible in the lettering of “LIBERTY” and the date.
While not approaching the value of the “No S” proof variety, these doubled dies still command respectable premiums:
- $25-$100 for circulated examples
- $100-$300 for uncirculated specimens
- $500+ for gems with minimal marks
Because they entered regular circulation, these varieties might still be discovered in pocket change or coin rolls by sharp-eyed collectors.
Bicentennial Quarter Errors: When Manufacturing Goes Wrong
Beyond specific varieties, certain manufacturing errors on Bicentennial quarters create valuable collectibles:
- Off-center strikes: When a coin is misaligned during striking, creating a partial blank area. Value: $25-$200 depending on severity.
- Wrong planchet errors: Bicentennial quarter designs struck on dime or nickel planchets. Value: $200-$500.
- Double strikes: Coins struck twice, creating overlapping images. Value: $100-$300.
These dramatic errors typically escaped quality control during the high-volume Bicentennial production, creating scarce collecting opportunities.
How to Search for These Valuable Coins
For those inspired to hunt for these numismatic treasures, several approaches prove most effective:
Examining Circulation Finds
When reviewing pocket change or coin rolls:
- Check dates carefully on all dimes, watching for key dates like 1916-D
- Examine the “2” in 1942 dimes for signs of an underlying “1”
- Look for doubled lettering on Bicentennial quarters, particularly in “LIBERTY”
- Weigh suspicious Bicentennial quarters (silver versions weigh more than copper-nickel)
A 5x to 10x magnifying glass or loupe helps identify subtle varieties and errors that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Searching Proof and Mint Sets
For those with access to original government-issued coin sets:
- Examine 1968, 1970, 1975, and 1983 proof sets for dimes missing the “S” mintmark
- Check 1976 proof sets for Bicentennial quarters without the “S” mintmark
- Look for unusual toning, striking errors, or varieties within uncirculated sets
Original government packaging preserved coins from environmental damage, making these sets potential sources for high-grade examples.
Understanding Authentication Importance
For potentially valuable discoveries, professional authentication becomes essential:
- Third-party grading services like PCGS, NGC, and ANACS provide authentication and grading
- Authentication costs ($30-$100 per coin) represent a small investment for genuinely valuable coins
- Professional grading helps distinguish genuine rarities from altered or counterfeit specimens
This professional verification provides confidence for both buyers and sellers in the numismatic marketplace.
Top 5 Rare Dimes and Bicentennial Coins value
The search for valuable dimes and Bicentennial coins combines historical appreciation, the thrill of discovery, and the potential for financial reward.
While finding an 1894-S Barber dime remains an extraordinarily improbable dream, discoveries of coins like the 1942/1 overdate, doubled die Bicentennial quarters, and various error coins occur regularly enough to keep collectors searching through their change and collections.
The knowledge that ordinary-looking coins can sometimes carry extraordinary value transforms the simple act of checking your change into a treasure hunt with genuine potential for discovery.
Whether you’re an experienced numismatist or simply curious about the coins passing through your hands each day, these rare dimes and Bicentennial varieties demonstrate that numismatic treasures continue to circulate, waiting for the observant collector to recognize their true worth.
Even as cashless transactions become increasingly common, the enduring appeal of these small metal discs—and the occasional hidden treasures among them—ensures that coin collecting will remain a fascinating pursuit for generations to come.