The Roosevelt dime has been in your pockets since 1946. It shows President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the front to honor his fight against polio. Most of these little silver (and later silver-colored) dimes are worth only 10 cents, but a handful of rare dates and mistakes are worth hundreds or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here are the top 5 Roosevelt dimes every collector dreams of finding – explained in easy, everyday words.
Why Some Roosevelt Dimes Are Worth a Fortune
Three things make a dime super valuable:
- Very few were made (low mintage)
- Big mistakes during production (mint errors)
- Perfect or almost-perfect condition (especially with original shiny silver look called “Full Torch” or “Full Bands”)
Now let’s meet the five kings of Roosevelt dimes!
The Top 5 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes
1. 1975 No-S Proof Dime – The Million-Dollar Mistake
In 1975, the San Francisco Mint forgot to put the “S” mint mark on some proof coins made for collectors. Only TWO are known to exist today!
Worth: $350,000 – $516,000 (one sold for over half a million dollars).
2. 1982 No-P (No Mint Mark) Dime
In 1982, the Philadelphia Mint accidentally left off the “P” mint mark on some dimes – the first time that ever happened for Roosevelt dimes.
Worth: $300 – $1,500+ in perfect condition.
3. 1968 No-S Proof Dime
Another San Francisco proof mistake – again, no “S” mint mark. About 20–30 are believed to exist.
Worth: $8,000 – $35,000+.
4. 1996-W Roosevelt Dime – The West Point Surprise
This dime was added as a free bonus inside the 1996 U.S. Mint uncirculated set to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Roosevelt dime. It has a tiny “W” for West Point – the only regular-issue Roosevelt dime ever made there.
Worth today: $10 – $35 loose, up to $300 in the original mint packaging.
5. 1949, 1949-D, 1949-S – The Low-Mintage Silver Trio
These three dates had the fewest coins made in the entire silver era (1946–1964). Perfect examples with strong details are very hard to find.
Worth: $500 – $8,000 each in top grade.
Bonus Mention: Full Torch (FT) and Full Bands (FB) Silver Dimes (1946–1964)
Any silver Roosevelt dime with super-sharp lines on the torch on the back is called “Full Torch” or “Full Bands.” These bring huge price jumps – even common dates can be worth $50–$500 instead of $2–$3.
| Rank | Year & Variety | Key Feature | Approximate Value (Top Condition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1975 No-S Proof | Missing “S” mint mark – only 2 known | $350,000 – $516,000 |
| 2 | 1982 No-P | No mint mark from Philadelphia | $300 – $1,500+ |
| 3 | 1968 No-S Proof | Missing “S” on proof coin | $8,000 – $35,000+ |
| 4 | 1996-W | Only Roosevelt dime from West Point | $15 – $300 |
| 5 | 1949 / 1949-D / 1949-S | Lowest mintage silver years | $500 – $8,000 each |
How to Check Your Dimes at Home (Takes 30 Seconds)
- Look just above the date for a tiny letter:
- No letter = Philadelphia
- D = Denver
- S = San Francisco
- W = West Point (very rare)
- Check 1968, 1975, and 1982 coins carefully – look for missing letters.
- Use a magnifying glass to see if the torch bands on the back are completely sharp (Full Torch = extra money).
- Silver dimes (1946–1964) have a silver edge; later ones have a copper line in the middle.
Conclusion: Your Coffee Can of Dimes Might Be Hiding Real Money
Roosevelt dimes have been made for almost 80 years and billions exist, but the five (plus the bonus Full Torch ones) listed here are the true superstars. Many of the most expensive examples were found by regular people checking old jars, cash registers, or family collections. You don’t need to be an expert – just a magnifying glass and a little luck. Start looking today; the next six-figure dime could be in your house right now!