Dime coins might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of expensive coins. The humble ten-cent piece is even used as slang to say “not much money.”
However, some dimes are really pricey. What makes people who want to collect them ready to pay a lot of money for them?
That’s what we’ll find out as we look for the most expensive dime ever! If you want to know more, take this step.
1. 1860-O Seated Liberty Dime, MS67
Only 40,000 of the 1860 dime were made, which was the fewest of any New Orleans dime. Today, only 400 are thought to be left in all schools.
The PCGS says that an example in the worst state, graded 2, is worth an amazing $700. That goes up to four figures for a graded 4 dime and five figures for a graded 50 “about uncirculated” dime.
But coins that have never been used are even rarer and worth even more. These are called mint state coins. There are only auction records for two of these coins, one rated MS64 and the other MS67.
The second one was last put up for sale in August 2022. It had only been done three times in almost thirty years. It sold for a very good $192,000. The PCGS thinks it’s worth even more now, at $225,000.
2. 1843-O Seated Liberty Dime, MS66
Between 1837 and 1891, dimes were made with a picture of Lady Liberty sitting on the front. These coins are called “Seated Liberty” or “Liberty seated” dimes because of this.
The mint in New Orleans made a lot fewer dimes in 1843 than it had in previous years. In 1842, 2 million were made, but now only 150,000 are left. For the rest of the decade, it stayed low.
Today, only about 200 1843-O dimes are thought to be left, and most of them are in used condition. People who collect coins love them because they are so rare, but you can get one in the worst shape (marked 2) for around $200.
However, mint state coins are not the same thing. There are thought to be only four, with the best one being a single coin rated MS66.
In 1996, that dime was last put up for sale and sold for $29,700. The PCGS, an independent coin grading service, says it’s worth more than $250,000 today.
3. 1916-D Mercury Dime Full Band, MS67
The 1916 dime is from a set of coins called “Mercury dimes.” The name comes from the picture of the messenger with wings that is on the front of the coins.
Coin fans talk about the Mercury dime that was made in Denver in 1916 all the time. That’s because it doesn’t happen very often.
There were only about 264,000 made. In that same year, more than 22 million dimes were made in Philadelphia and more than 10 million were made in San Francisco. And only about 600 of those 264,000 Denver dimes are thought to be alive and well today.
Some people think that the resources used to make the dimes in Denver that year were already being used for other coins. The idea is that dimes weren’t made because the staff needed to focus on making quarters.
Most of the Denver dimes that are still around are struck very well. Most of the ones that are still around and in mint condition have the “Full band” label. This is about the image on the back of the coin.
That shows a fasces, which was a tool that Roman police officers carried. It looks like a bunch of sticks. At the top, bottom, and middle, bands connect the sticks together.
4. 1797 Draped Bust Dime, 16 Stars, MS66
From 1796 to 1807, dime bills had a picture of Lady Liberty wearing a dress with a scarf around her neck. They were called “Draped bust dimes” because of the way they were made.
There are two different kinds of dimes from 1797, which can be told apart by the number of stars on the front. It has these around the edge, on either side of the word “Liberty.”
All sixteen stars on the first dime came from the same die. Later that same year, the number of stars was cut down to 13, which was the same number of states in the union at the time.
The Mint agreed to keep the number of stars at 13 as more states joined. As the union grew, they were afraid they would quickly run out of room if they kept trying to show it.
One die was used for all 16-star 1797 dimes, so it got worn down very quickly. Some coins made later in its life have a crack that starts at the top of the date and gets worse over time.
It’s hard to find coins that are still mint; there aren’t many of them. The best known example is a single coin that has been rated MS66. That was last put up for sale in 2015 and sold for $199,750. The PCGS says it’s worth $275,000 right now.
Also See:-Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money
5. 1797 Draped Bust Dime, 13 Stars, MS65
Collectors also pay a lot of money for the second type of the 1797 Draped bust dime. There are thirteen stars around the picture of Liberty on the front of this coin.
It happens very rarely. Only about 50 of the 25,261 13-star dimes that were made in Philadelphia that year have been found. There are only five of those coins that are mint.
The PCGS says that a graded 1 piece is worth $2,500. That is for a coin that is almost impossible to identify—there is just enough detail left to see the year and value. Some coins are worth $10,000 for a 20th grade coin and $20,000 for a 45th grade coin.
MS66 is the highest grade that the PCGS has given to a single coin. That was last bought and sold for $46,000 in 1999.
It’s likely worth a lot more now. The previous high bid for an MS65 coin was set in 2006. That was the last time that coin was for sale, and it brought in $402,500.
6. 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime, Proof, PR68
Dimes can be valuable even if they’re young. Roosevelt dimes, still in production, include the 1975 dime. Their obverse features the past president, hence their name.
Collectors and coin archives get proof dimes. Today, millions of proofs are minted annually as coin collecting becomes fashionable.
In 1975, about three million proofs were struck. All were made at the San Francisco mint. So all of them should have the “S” mintmark.
A curious thing happened that year. The San Francisco mint struck dimes for circulation, helping Philadelphia manufacture about 600 million coins.
The San Francisco business strikes that year had no “S”. It’s impossible to tell a circulated 1975 San Francisco dime from a Philadelphia dime nowadays.
All dies were made in Philadelphia. However, proof coins were polished in San Francisco. Perhaps one of the dies without a mint mark, intended for business striking, was polished to proof by accident.
That die was used to manufacture a few dimes before the mistake was discovered. Only two coins from that mistake survive today. If more were manufactured, they were found and destroyed before leaving the mint.
Even more amazing, the same collector received both coins after ordering five proof sets. She sold one to a private collector for $18,200 and the other for $38,550 years later. Both were PR68.
Prices have skyrocketed as no further instances have been unearthed and the two coins are rarely sold. The previous auction occurred in 2019, when one sold for $456,000.
7. 1822 Capped Bust Dime, Proof, PR66+ Cameo
Capped bust dimes were made 1820-1837. Their name comes from the obverse depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a cap. The popular design appeared on the half dollar, quarter, and half dime.
Philadelphia struck many 1822 dimes the year before. Besides business striking, a few proof coins were minted.
Today, collectors get many proofs. Coin collection was still rare in 1822. Thus, proof coins were minted in modest quantities for coin archives.
Only two 1822 proof dimes with cameos are known to exist. “Cameo” proofs have glossy fields and frosted gadgets. It’s no surprise that they’re highly valued.
The coin is PR66. It sold for $440,625 at auction in 2014. Today, PCGS values it at $500,000. PR66+ is the best known example. No sale records exist for this coin, although the PCGS values it at $600,000.
8. 1796 Draped Bust Dime, MS66+
US dimes were first produced in 1796. Just over 22,000 were struck in the Philadelphia mint. Approximately 850 remain, with fewer than 100 in pristine condition. Easy to see why they’re collectible.
PCGS values a graded 1 coin at $2,000. Prices grow sharply from there—a 3 coin costs 50% more. Buying a better coin will cost you extra. Grade 40 coins are worth five figures. PCGS values a mint state MS60 at $30,000.
The PCGS MS66+ coin auction record was set in 2023. That sold for $372,000. However, it was not the greatest 1796 dime.
A single MS68 dime was honored. That coin has no published sales numbers, but the PCGS values it at a staggering $1.25 million.
9. 1820 Capped Bust Dime, Proof, PR66
The 1820 Capped bust proof dime is contentious. Unlike 1822, there’s debate over whether any proof dimes were manufactured.
PCGS hasn’t certified any proof dimes from the mintage. The NGC, another major coin grading agency, authenticated one specimen at PR66. No proofs for that year are given in traditional numismatic literature, thus not everyone is convinced.
Perhaps that’s why the coin sold for so little in 2019. It sold for $156,000 despite being the only example certified.
Definitely big money. It seems affordable compared to the 1822 Capped bust proof. It appears that controversy doesn’t necessarily raise collectors’ prices.
10. 1796 Draped Bust Dime, MS66+
US dimes were first produced in 1796. Just over 22,000 were struck in the Philadelphia mint. Approximately 850 remain, with fewer than 100 in pristine condition. Easy to see why they’re collectible.
PCGS values a graded 1 coin at $2,000. Prices grow sharply from there—a 3 coin costs 50% more.
Buying a better coin will cost you extra. Grade 40 coins are worth five figures. PCGS values a mint state MS60 at $30,000.
The PCGS MS66+ coin auction record was set in 2023. That sold for $372,000. However, it was not the greatest 1796 dime.
A single MS68 dime was honored. That coin has no published sales numbers, but the PCGS values it at a staggering $1.25 million.
