How to Identify Dime Error Coins & How Much They’re Worth

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer explains the most common—and valuable—dime errors

If you find a dime that has an error printed on it, then there’s a good chance it’s worth more than just a little pocket change. Dime coin errors from the mint don’t often make it into circulation, so the ones that do are sought after by coin collectors. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the rarest errors on dimes, how much they’re worth, and why they’re valuable. We also spoke with numismatic expert Dean Kinzer and auction house owner Reyne Hirsch for advice on determining value and selling your dimes with errors!

Rarest Dime Coin Errors

Dime Error Coins Summary

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer says that the most common error types on coins are double-die varieties, mint mark errors, off-center strikes, mule errors, and planchet errors. Dime error values largely depend on rarity, uniqueness, and the coin’s condition.

Section 1 of 4:

Rare & Valuable Dime Coin Errors

  1. Step 1 Missing mint marks
    Kinzer says that missing mint marks is one of the most common errors you’ll see on coins.[1] Dimes usually have mint marks to note where they were originally made, but some proofs or errors made it into circulation without them. Because they are frequently found and removed before they become pocket change, missing mint mark dimes are some of the rarest.[2]
    • How to spot: Look near the date for the letters D, S, P, or W. If a letter is not present on the coin, then the mint mark is missing.
    • Notable dimes:

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Dean Kinzer is a Numismatics Expert and ancient coin specialist who founded Kinzer Coins, an educational coin resource hub.

    Reyne Hirsch is an Auction House Owner and appraiser who operates the Dallas Auction Gallery in Texas.

  2. 2
    Mule errors Kinzer says that mules errors occur when “the coin is minted with two unmatched dies,” and he notes that these can be expensive.[9] A mule coin is one where the planchet was stamped with two different dies were used meant to be used together, so the coin looks like one type of coin on the front and one on the back.[10]
    • How to spot: Look for mismatched details, like a silver dollar on the face and a state quarter on the reverse.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 2001-D Lincoln Cent obverse paired with Roosevelt Dime reverse: $114,000[11]
      • 1993-D Lincoln Cent struck with dime reverse die: $51,750[12]
      • 1995 Roosevelt Dime struck with dime revers and 1995 Lincoln cent obverse: $57,500[13]
    • Kinzer notes that errors like mule errors and double die varieties "represent issues with the minting process where the coin itself was double struck or struck incorrectly." He says, "These types of errors have been common in the minting process since the start of coinage."[14]
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  3. Step 3 Rainbow toning errors
    Rainbow toning normally occurs after oxidation or when an impurity in the metal reacts with other outside elements, creating a multicolored or iridescent effect. While they start to lose their value when they’re in poor condition, they are still worth a good chunk of change.[15]
    • How to spot: Check the coin for circular rainbow patterns on the faces.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1951 Roosevelt Dime with rainbow toning: $18,800 USD[16]
  4. Step 4 Misplaced dates
    Misplaced dates occur when numbers from the date appear somewhere else on the coin instead of their normal position. Misplaced dates normally appeared on dimes made before 1909 because they were still punched by hand and had more room for errors.[17]
    • How to spot: Inspect around the date near the bottom of the coin for any additional numbers or fragments stamped into the metal.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1856 Misplaced Date Liberty Seated half dime: $3,800 USD[18]
      • 1837 Seated Half Dime Double Misplaced Date: $285 USD[19]
      • 1872 S Seated Liberty Half Dime Misplaced Date: $31 USD[20]
  5. Step 5 Overdates
    Overdates happen when a different number is struck on top of an existing number on a die. When the mint used the die to make dimes, both of the numbers were visible. While these errors happened mostly before the Roosevelt dime was put into production, the limited number makes them valuable to collectors.[21]
    • How to spot: Inspect the date in the bottom right below the figure’s neck. Check for remnants or marks of an old number surrounding the other numbers in the date.
    • Notable dimes:
      • Mercury Dime Set 1916 Overdate: $1,683 USD[22]
      • 1942/1 Mercury Silver Dime with Overdate: $1,099 USD[23]
      • 1942/1 Liberty Head Dime with Overdate: $939 USD[24]
  6. Step 6 Double die errors
    According to Kinzer, coins with a double-die strike tend to be more valuable than other errors.[25] The die presses into the metal to stamp the design on a coin. When the mint creates a die, it uses a “coin hub” to transfer the design. When the hub gets misaligned, the design may have duplicated letters or words. When the doubling is on the front, it’s called a double die obverse (DDO) coin. If the double image appears on the back, it’s called a double die reverse (DDR) coin.[26]
    • How to spot: Look for words, numbers, or dates that have a duplicate that’s nearby or overlapping the other design.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1942/41 Mercury Silver Dime: $1,099 USD[27]
      • 1960 Roosevelt Dime: $125 USD[28]
      • 1968 Roosevelt DDO Dime: $60 USD[29]
  7. Step 7 Clipped planchets
    Planchets are the base metal that coins are punched into. During the minting process, there are chances for the planchets to get cut and clipped so they don’t have a perfectly round shape anymore. While these aren’t the most valuable errors, unique shapes and clips still make the dime worth more than its face value.[30]
    • How to spot: Check along the edges of the planchet for missing sections that look like they were clipped off of the coin.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1994 Roosevelt Dime 10% Clipped: $1,000 USD[31]
      • 1919-D Mercury Dime with Curved Clip: $248 USD[32]
      • 2000-P Dime with 25% Curved Clip: $99 USD[33]
  8. Step 8 Repunched dates
    Repunched dates occurred when someone minting the coin would punch the numbers in the date multiple times.[34] If the numbers are slightly misaligned, portions of the date could have a ghosting effect around them. Because these errors were mostly fixed when coins stopped being punched by hand, the older coins with repunched dates tend to be worth more.[35]
    • How to spot: Check for a shadow or doubling effect around the date in the spaces between the numbers.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1852 Liberty Seated Silver Dime Repunched Date: $645 USD[36]
      • 1856-O Liberty Seated Repunched Date: $600 USD[37]
      • 1853 Liberty Seated Repunched Date: $231 USD[38]
  9. Step 9 Off-center strikes
    Kinzer says that off-center strikes are another common coin error type.[39] Normally, dimes will have their design perfectly centered on the coin. If the die is misaligned or if the coin loads improperly, then the design may appear crooked. Some of the design elements may be completely missing depending on how off-center it was minted.[40]
    • How to spot: Check your dime for missing parts of the design that seem to go off the edge of the coin. A portion of the coin’s face may also appear flat and unmarked.
    • Notable dimes:
      • Double Struck Roosevelt Dime 60% Off-Center: $610 USD[41]
      • 1944 Mercury Dime 15% Off Center: $575 USD[42]
      • 1972-D Off Center Double Struck Roosevelt Dime: $475 USD[43]
  10. Step 10 Weak strikes
    Weak strikes occur when the dies don’t have enough pressure to fully stamp the design onto the coin. This could make some of the features, letters, or numbers less defined or even missing entirely.[44]
    • How to spot: Check over the coin for any features that are not raised like usual.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1866-S Liberty Dime Weak Mintage: $519 USD[45]
      • 1982 Roosevelt Dime with Weak Pressing: $290 USD[46]
      • 1871-S Seated Liberty Dime with Weak Reverse: $98 USD[47]
  11. Step 11 Die breaks
    While it’s rare to happen, the die casting a dime may chip or break during production. When a dime is stamped with a broken die, then the damaged section will make a different impression in the metal and leave noticeable defects on the coin’s surface.[48]
    • How to spot: Inspect the surface of the dime for any raised metal marks that have odd shapes, such as lines or splotches.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1837 Capped Bust Dime with Obverse Die Break: $437 USD[49]
      • 1921-D Mercury Dime with Bisecting Die Break: $370 USD[50]
      • 1969-D Roosevelt Dime Die Break Error: $99 USD[51]
  12. Step 12 Incorrect planchets
    Kinzer says that planchet errors can be among some of the most valuable coin errors.[52] While it doesn’t happen very often, sometimes the wrong planchet gets loaded into a mint machine. When the machine runs, the die will print the correct denomination on the wrong materials, so a dime design could be stamped onto planchets made for pennies.[53]
    • How to spot: Check the color and material of the coin. If it’s more reminiscent of a penny than a dime, there’s a good chance it’s on the wrong planchet.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 2021-P Dime struck on Penny Planchet: $375 USD[54]
      • 1965 Dime on Wrong Planchet: $150 USD[55]
    • Kinzer notes that "in modern coins, genre coins with incorrect planchet errors and double die strikes tend to be the more expensive types."[56]
  13. Step 13 Inverted mint marks
    Inverted mint marks occur when the mint mark letter is punched upside-down by hand or when it’s improperly placed on the die. Some of the letters are more difficult to see the inversion, such as S, but others are easy to spot.[57]
    • How to spot: Look for the mint mark letter near the bottom of the coin’s face, and check if it’s printed upside-down.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1942-S Mercury Dime with Inverted Mint Mark: $360 USD[58]
      • 1942-S Mercury Dime with Inverted Mint Mark: $68 USD[59]
  14. Step 14 Missing clad errors
    Dimes are made from different metals and have an outer clad that gives them they’re silver appearance. When a dime is missing a portion of the outer clad, the metal will have an orange copper color instead of the metallic gray you’d expect.[60]
    • How to spot: Look over your dime for sections on the front or back that have a copper color. Check your dime with a scale as well. Normal dimes weigh between 2.26-2.5 grams, but ones missing a portion of the clad will be lighter.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 2023-P Roosevelt Dime Obverse clad missing: $298 USD[61]
      • 2023-P Roosevelt Dime Reverse clad missing: $298 USD[62]
      • 1977 Roosevelt Dime Obverse clad missing: $229 USD[63]
  15. Step 15 Over mint marks
    Over mint marks are when one mint mark letter is placed over a different letter. This normally happens when dies are prepared at one mint, but are then sent to another mint to actually be used. Instead of creating a new die, the mint punches the new mark over the old one.[64]
    • How to spot: Inspect the mint mark located above the date on your time. Look for small portions or sections of a different letter in the area around the mint mark.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1981 P over D Mint Mark: $250 USD[65]
      • 1947-S/D Roosevelt Dime: $175 USD[66]
  16. Step 16 Brockage
    When a coin gets stuck to the die during minting and another coin gets pressed, it leaves a mirror-image impression on the other side of the new coin. These brockage errors usually have less-defined features, letters, and numbers because the die doesn’t fully press into the metal.[67]
    • How to spot: Check for a side or portion of your dime that has a blurry, less-defined appearance.
    • Notable dimes:
      • 1980s Roosevelt Dime with Obverse Brockage: $60 USD[68]
      • 1965-1999 Roosevelt Time with Obverse Brockage: $50 USD[69]
  17. Step 17 Repunched mint marks
    Each dime has a letter for a mint mark to show where it was originally minted. When the mint mark is stamped into the coin twice and misaligned, it can increase the value of the dime. However, repunched mint marks stopped around 1989 when they were no longer punched into the working dies.[70]
    • How to spot: Check for the mint mark above the date on your dime, and look for doubling or misaligned letters.
    • Notable dimes:
      • Toned 1954-S Repunched Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime: $51 USD[71]
      • 1893 S Silver Barber Dime Repunched Mint Mar: $17 USD [72]
      • 1958-D Roosevelt Dime Repunched Mint Mark: $10 USD[73]
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Section 2 of 4:

What makes dime coin errors valuable?

  1. Step 1 Rarity
    A lot of dimes are minted every year, so it’s relatively common for some minor errors to get through. Major errors are usually caught at the mint before they’re added to circulation, so finding one out in the wild makes it extremely rare and valuable.[74]
  2. Step 2 Uniqueness
    When dimes have larger errors that are visible to the naked eye, they’re worth more than smaller errors that require magnification. Coin errors are each a little different, so one that stands out a lot from the others is a lot more desirable to a collector.[75]
  3. Step 3 Condition
    Even if the errors are valuable, the overall cleanliness and appearance of the coin still affect value. When coins are closer to mint condition without any dirt or additional damage, they’re more desirable to collectors than dirty or tarnished coins.
    • Kinzer says, “The oil from your fingers can tarnish the metal and change its appearance.” He mentions that even a fingerprint on an expensive coin can reduce its value.[76]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Check Dime Error Values

  1. Step 1 Check a price guide.
    Kinzer notes that the Red Book published by Whitman covers the prices of all U.S. coins that are in circulation.[77] Look through the book for the specific Roosevelt dime errors you have, and note the estimated values and sale prices.
  2. Step 2 Look at recent sale prices online.
    Type in the year, mint, and coin error into the eBay search bar to see if any have been listed or sold so that you can see the most current prices. If you want more official prices, Kinzer recommends using CNGcoins or ACSsearch as good websites to see your dime’s value.[78]
    • Kinzer explains, “CNGcoins allows you to see the history of what [coins] have sold at auction over the past 50 years,” while an ACS search checks multiple auction houses for a broader view on what’s sold.[79]
  3. Step 3 Get an appraisal from an auction house.
    Kinzer notes, “All the auction houses offer appraisals.” He recommends checking Heritage Auction House because it’s the largest coin auction house, but he also suggests CNG as the second-largest.[80]
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Section 4 of 4:

Where to Buy and Sell Dimes with Errors

  1. 1
    Try selling error coins through an online marketplace. Hirsch notes that “eBay is a great platform for selling antiques and collectibles” because it’s a well-established marketplace. Create an eBay listing with all of the information about your coin and clear pictures so you can find interested collectors.[81]
  2. 2
    Take your dimes to an auction house. If your error dime coin is worth over $500 USD, Hirsch recommends contacting a local auction house so they can sell it to interested buyers. They normally have a catalog of collectors they can contact, and they will often negotiate the commission they take from the sale.[82]
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References

  1. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.pcgs.com/news/no-mintmark-roosevelt-dimes-shine
  3. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.pcgs.com/news/no-mintmark-roosevelt-dimes-shine
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/2KF70n-QzJc?t=331
  6. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
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  8. ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/296340514461?stype=1&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
  9. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  1. ↑ https://www.pcgs.com/news/mule-mint-errors-the-rarest
  2. ↑ https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/2001-d-lincoln-cent-muled-with-a-roosevelt-dime-reverse-ms66-red-pcgs/a/1371-4450.s
  3. ↑ https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/1993-d-lincoln-cent-struck-with-dime-reverse-die-ms65-red-pcgs/a/1136-2383.s
  4. ↑ https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/1995-10c-roosevelt-dime-struck-with-cent-obverse-die-ms64-ngc/a/1136-2384.s
  5. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/2KF70n-QzJc?t=189
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/m2XudsRSMSA?t=82
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  25. ↑ Ryan Quinlan. Coin Collector and Content Creator. Expert Interview
  26. ↑ https://www.error-ref.com/repunched-date/
  27. ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/196241104058?stype=1&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
  28. ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/277443663705?stype=1&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
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  31. ↑ https://youtu.be/BeYdQ8i98U0?t=595
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  39. ↑ https://www.error-ref.com/freestanding-interior-internal-die-breaks/
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  43. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  44. ↑ https://www.error-ref.com/wrong_planchet_and_off_metal_errors/
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  48. ↑ https://doubleddie.com/58306.html
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  65. ↑ https://www.herobullion.com/what-are-mint-made-error-coins/
  66. ↑ https://www.herobullion.com/what-are-mint-made-error-coins/
  67. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  68. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  69. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  70. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  71. ↑ Dean Kinzer. Numismatics Expert. Expert Interview
  72. ↑ Reyne Hirsch. Auction House Owner. Expert Interview
  73. ↑ Reyne Hirsch. Auction House Owner. Expert Interview

About This Article

Ryan Quinlan
Co-authored by:
Ryan Quinlan
Coin Collector and Content Creator
This article was co-authored by Ryan Quinlan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Ryan Quinlan is a coin collector and content creator based in Cary, North Carolina. With over 10 years of experience, Ryan shares content on coin collecting, coin roll hunting, silver stacking, and metal detecting on social media. His YouTube channel @QuinsCoins boasts over 130k subscribers and nearly 28 million views, with some of his top series include "Coin Roll Hunting Competitions", "Coin Quest", and "Detecting with Ryan". Ryan has a bachelor’s of engineering in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. This article has been viewed 3,652 times.
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