Imagine pulling a dime or quarter out of your pocket and realizing it’s worth thousands—or even millions. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s happened.
A handful of rare U.S. dimes and one special quarter have surprised collectors with their staggering auction prices. Let’s look into these historic coins that show pocket change might be more valuable than you think.
Table of Contents
1894-S Barber Dime
Only 24 of these were minted at the San Francisco Mint in 1894, and today, just nine are known to exist. The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the most legendary coins in American history. One sold for 1.9 million dollars in 2016, making it one of the most valuable dimes ever.
1916-D Mercury Dime
This dime came from the Denver Mint with just 264,000 coins produced, a tiny number for any U.S. coin. Because of this, collectors are willing to pay a lot—over 10,000 dollars for well-preserved examples. It’s considered one of the most important Mercury dimes.
1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime
In 1968, some proof dimes were accidentally minted without the required “S” mint mark, which should appear on all San Francisco-minted proofs. These rare error coins can bring in more than 20,000 dollars from collectors if found in top condition.
1942/1 Mercury Dime
This error coin shows a “1” underneath the “2” in the date due to a die mistake. That overdate makes the 1942/1 Mercury Dime very desirable. Uncirculated examples can be worth over 5,000 dollars, and it’s a popular item for collectors of error coins.
1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Only two of these coins have ever been confirmed to exist. Missing the “S” mint mark, they are considered among the rarest modern U.S. coins. If you were lucky enough to find one, it could be worth over 500,000 dollars.
1965 Silver Transition Dime
In 1965, the U.S. switched from silver to a copper-nickel blend for dimes. However, a few were mistakenly struck on leftover silver blanks. These silver transition dimes are rare, and collectors pay thousands to own one.
1873 Carson City Seated Liberty Dime
This dime from the Carson City Mint is linked to the history of the Old West. Few were produced in 1873, and their limited mintage combined with western appeal makes them valuable. Well-kept examples can sell for several thousand dollars.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Although it’s not a dime, this coin is worth mentioning. Only five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels are known to exist. One of them sold for 3.7 million dollars in 2010, making it one of the most expensive coins in the world.
1976 Bicentennial Quarter
This special quarter was issued to celebrate the 200th birthday of the United States. Most are common, but a few error versions with unusual strikes or incorrect metals are extremely rare. One of these rare error quarters reportedly sold for 18.4 million dollars.
| Coin | Type of Rarity | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | Extremely low mintage | $1.9 million |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | Low mintage | $10,000+ |
| 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime | Missing mint mark | $20,000+ |
| 1942/1 Mercury Dime | Overdate error | $5,000+ |
| 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime | Only 2 known | $500,000+ |
| 1965 Silver Transition Dime | Minting on silver blank | Thousands |
| 1873 Carson City Seated Liberty | Old West rarity | Thousands |
| 1913 Liberty Head Nickel | Only 5 exist | $3.7 million |
| 1976 Bicentennial Error Quarter | Ultra-rare error version | $18.4 million |
Next time you’re sorting through your spare change or looking at old coins, take a moment to inspect them carefully. What might seem like a regular dime or quarter could be a rare treasure worth more than you ever imagined.
FAQs
How many 1894-S dimes exist today?
Only 9 are known to still exist.
What makes the 1975 No-S dime so valuable?
Only two were made, making it extremely rare.
How can I tell if my dime is silver?
Check the edge—silver dimes lack the copper stripe.
What is a proof coin?
A proof coin is specially made with high detail for collectors.
Could I find a valuable coin in change?
Yes, rare errors have been observed in everyday coins.
