Top 14 Most Valuable Dimes: Dimes have been a crucial part of U.S. coinage since 1796, and while most are worth just ten cents, some rare and historical dimes can be worth thousands—or even millions—of dollars. Collectors prize certain dimes due to low mintage, minting errors, or historical significance. If you’re a numismatist or just curious about valuable coins, this list of the top 14 most valuable dimes will give you insights into what to look for in your collection.
Table of Contents
- 1 1894-S Barber Dime
- 2 1796 Draped Bust Dime
- 3 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime
- 4 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime
- 5 1916-D Mercury Dime
- 6 1804 Draped Bust Dime
- 7 1822 Capped Bust Dime
- 8 1895-O Barber Dime
- 9 1896-O Barber Dime
- 10 1838-O Capped Bust Dime
- 11 1901-S Barber Dime
- 12 1837 No Stars Seated Liberty Dime
- 13 1913-S Barber Dime
- 14 1942/1 Mercury Dime
- 15 What Makes a Dime Valuable?
- 16 How to Identify a Rare Dime
- 17 Table – Top 14 Most Valuable Dimes for Collectors
1894-S Barber Dime
The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the rarest and most valuable U.S. coins ever minted. Only 24 were struck at the San Francisco Mint, and just nine are known to exist today. Some believe they were minted as special gifts for bankers, while others think they were struck for a test run.
Also Read: 13 Barber Dime Values to Watch For
- Why It’s Valuable: Incredibly low mintage and historical mystery.
- Value: $1.5 million – $2 million, depending on condition.
1796 Draped Bust Dime
The 1796 Draped Bust Dime was the first dime ever minted by the U.S. government. With a mintage of just 22,135, few exist in high-grade condition.
- Why It’s Valuable: First-year issue and historical significance.
- Value: $50,000 – $500,000.
1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime
The 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime had a mintage of only 10,817, making it one of the rarest Carson City Mint dimes.
- Why It’s Valuable: Low mintage and high demand from Carson City collectors.
- Value: $50,000 – $250,000.
1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime
Another Carson City rarity, the 1871-CC dime, had a mintage of just 20,100, with very few surviving in high grades.
- Why It’s Valuable: Scarcity and desirability among collectors.
- Value: $40,000 – $225,000.
1916-D Mercury Dime
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is the rarest of the Mercury Dime series, with only 264,000 minted. Because many were heavily circulated, finding an uncirculated example is extremely rare.
- Why It’s Valuable: Low mintage and strong collector demand.
- Value: $10,000 – $200,000.
1804 Draped Bust Dime
The 1804 Draped Bust Dime had a mintage of 8,265, making it one of the rarest dimes from the early years of U.S. coinage.
- Why It’s Valuable: Low mintage and age.
- Value: $30,000 – $175,000.
1822 Capped Bust Dime
With a mintage of only 100,000, the 1822 Capped Bust Dime is one of the rarest dimes from the 19th century.
- Why It’s Valuable: Low production and few surviving examples.
- Value: $20,000 – $150,000.
1895-O Barber Dime
The 1895-O Barber Dime is a key date in the Barber series, with only 440,000 minted. Finding one in high grade is nearly impossible.
Also Read: The 10 Most Valuable Capped Bust Dimes
- Why It’s Valuable: Low mintage and survival rate.
- Value: $25,000 – $100,000.
1896-O Barber Dime
The 1896-O Barber Dime had a mintage of 610,000, making it scarce, especially in uncirculated condition.
- Why It’s Valuable: Limited survival rate.
- Value: $10,000 – $80,000.
1838-O Capped Bust Dime
The 1838-O Capped Bust Dime was the first dime struck at the New Orleans Mint and had a small mintage of 489,034.
- Why It’s Valuable: First-year issue from New Orleans.
- Value: $15,000 – $75,000.
1901-S Barber Dime
The 1901-S Barber Dime had a mintage of 593,022, and high-grade examples are rare.
- Why It’s Valuable: Scarcity in top condition.
- Value: $8,000 – $50,000.
1837 No Stars Seated Liberty Dime
The 1837 Seated Liberty Dime was the first of its kind, lacking stars around the obverse, making it unique.
- Why It’s Valuable: Unique design and first-year issue.
- Value: $7,500 – $45,000.
1913-S Barber Dime
The 1913-S Barber Dime had only 510,000 minted, making it one of the hardest Barber Dimes to find.
- Why It’s Valuable: Low mintage and demand from collectors.
- Value: $12,000 – $40,000.
1942/1 Mercury Dime
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime is an overdate error where the “1” from 1941 is visible under the “2” in 1942.
- Why It’s Valuable: Rare overdate variety.
- Value: $5,000 – $35,000.
What Makes a Dime Valuable?
Several factors determine a dime’s value:
- Rarity: Low mintage numbers often increase a coin’s value.
- Survival Rate: Older coins were heavily circulated, making well-preserved examples rare.
- Minting Errors: Overdates, misstrikes, and die variations add value.
- Historical Significance: First-year issues and unique designs attract collectors.
- Condition: Higher grades (uncirculated or lightly worn) are more valuable.
How to Identify a Rare Dime
If you think you have a valuable dime, check:
- The Date and Mintmark: Look for key dates and rare mint locations (O, S, or CC).
- Condition: Coins with minimal wear are worth significantly more.
- Errors or Varieties: Overdates or misprints can increase value.
- Professional Grading: Services like PCGS and NGC can authenticate and grade your dime.
Table – Top 14 Most Valuable Dimes for Collectors
| Coin | Mint | Unique Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | San Francisco | Only 24 minted, legendary rarity | $1.5M – $2M |
| 1796 Draped Bust Dime | Philadelphia | First-year issue, historical significance | $50,000 – $500,000 |
| 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime | Carson City | Very low mintage, highly sought-after | $50,000 – $250,000 |
| 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime | Carson City | Scarce, desirable among collectors | $40,000 – $225,000 |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | Denver | Lowest mintage of the series | $10,000 – $200,000 |
| 1804 Draped Bust Dime | Philadelphia | Extremely low mintage | $30,000 – $175,000 |
| 1822 Capped Bust Dime | Philadelphia | Few surviving examples | $20,000 – $150,000 |
| 1895-O Barber Dime | New Orleans | Key date, very rare in high grades | $25,000 – $100,000 |
| 1896-O Barber Dime | New Orleans | Scarce, limited survival rate | $10,000 – $80,000 |
| 1838-O Capped Bust Dime | New Orleans | First dime struck at New Orleans Mint | $15,000 – $75,000 |
| 1901-S Barber Dime | San Francisco | Rare in top condition | $8,000 – $50,000 |
| 1837 No Stars Seated Liberty Dime | Philadelphia | First-year design, lacks stars | $7,500 – $45,000 |
| 1913-S Barber Dime | San Francisco | Low mintage, tough to find | $12,000 – $40,000 |
| 1942/1 Mercury Dime | Philadelphia | Rare overdate error | $5,000 – $35,000 |
From the legendary 1894-S Barber Dime to the rare 1796 Draped Bust Dime, these 14 dimes represent some of the most valuable and sought-after coins in U.S. history. If you ever come across an old dime in your collection, check its date and condition—you might have a hidden fortune!
FAQs
What is the most valuable U.S. dime?
The 1894-S Barber Dime is the most valuable, with some selling for over $1.5 million.
How do I know if my dime is rare?
Check the date, mintmark, condition, and any minting errors to determine if it’s valuable.
What makes a dime valuable?
Factors like low mintage, survival rate, historical significance, and unique errors increase a dime’s value.
Where can I sell a rare dime?
You can sell valuable dimes through coin dealers, auction houses (Heritage, Stack’s Bowers), or online marketplaces like eBay.
Are old dimes always valuable?
Not necessarily, but key dates like the 1916-D Mercury Dime and 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime can be worth thousands.
