Most Roosevelt dimes are worth just 10 cents, but a rare subset—featuring significant minting errors, absent mintmarks, and proof varieties—has stunned collectors by selling for hundreds of thousands to over $1 million. These extraordinary specimens prove that hidden treasures can emerge even from change long considered common.
Why Some Roosevelt Dimes Soar in Value
Value in Roosevelt dimes hinges on:
- Minting Errors: Missing mintmarks (like the missing “S” on proof coins) and doubled dies.
- Proof Varieties: Special strike techniques (e.g., proof sets, SMS) yield higher demand.
- Scarcity: Few examples known of certain errors or rare varieties.
- Condition: High grades (PR68-PR70 or MS65+) boost value exponentially.
The 7 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes (with actual auction figures)
| No. | Dime Variety | Key Feature | Auction Value (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1975 Proof (No “S” mintmark) | Missing San Francisco mark | $506,250 |
| 2 | 1975 Proof (No “S”) – Second known | Same rare omission | $456,000 |
| 3 | 1975 No-S Proof (PR 68) | Rare grade/specimen | $456,000 (similar) |
| 4 | 1970 SMS Proof | Special Mint Set – high grade | Estimated six figures |
| 5 | 1968 “No S” Proof Dime | Missing mint mark on SF issue | $45,600 |
| 6 | 1909-S VDB Dramatic Roosevelt Dime Error | Hypothetical extreme error worth millions | Mentioned in collectors’ lore |
| 7 | Ultra-rare doubled-die or misprint specimens | Extreme rarity, error variety | Collector-estimated million-dollar range |
Spotlight on the Top Sales
- 1975 Proof Dime Without an “S” – A proof Roosevelt dime minted in San Francisco but missing the “S” mintmark sold for $506,250. Only two such dimes are known to exist. A second sold earlier for $456,000.
- 1968 No-S Proof Dime – Another San Francisco proof coin missing its mintmark commanded $45,600, showing that missing mintmarks carry serious premiums even in lesser volumes.
- Other Notable Varieties – Although not hitting million-dollar marks publicly, high-grade SMS and special proof issues from the late 1960s and early 1970s are extremely valuable and occasionally cross the six-figure threshold.
How to Spot a Potentially Valuable Roosevelt Dime
- Check the mintmark area – Proof dimes from San Francisco missing the “S” are rare.
- Look for proof-style indicators – Mirror-like surfaces, cameo contrast, special sets (SMS).
- Inspect for doubling or mint errors – Any odd doubling on legends or repunched mintmarks should be examined.
- Grading counts – High grades (PR68–PR70) provide huge value boosts.
- Get professional authentication – Only grading by trusted services like PCGS or NGC confirms rarity and triggers major auctions.
The Roosevelt dime series, though ubiquitous, has delivered blockbuster surprises when rare errors or missing mintmarks intersect with perfect condition.
Actual auction records—like the $506,250 missing-S proof dime—show that million-dollar collectible dimes do exist. If you’re sorting through old change or a proof set stash, always be on the lookout: your next Roosevelt dime might be a fortune hiding in plain sight.
FAQs
Yes—one legend highlights a spectacular error or misprint dime valued in that range, though publicly documented sales top out around $500,000.
It signals a mint error with extremely low survivors: only a handful of such proof dimes exist, making them highly collectible.
Absolutely. High-grade SMS and proof error dimes—even from the late 1960s and early 1970s—are actively sought and can achieve six figures.