What Dimes Are Worth Money? Top 10 Rare Dimes worth money list.

Dimes are the smallest coins still used in American currency, but some rare dimes worth far more than their face value. Here's a quick list of dimes worth money:

• 1916-D Mercury Dime: Highly sought after by collectors, this dime can be worth up to $20,000 in excellent condition.
• 1894-S Barber Dime: One of the rarest dimes, with only 24 minted, it can be valued at over $1 million.
• 1968 No-S Roosevelt Dime (Proof): This error coin is extremely valuable, often selling for $15,000 or more.
• Pre-1965 Silver Dimes: Containing 90% silver, these dimes are typically worth $2 to $3 each due to their metal content.
• 1942/1 Mercury Dime: A rare overdate error that can fetch several thousand dollars.

Discover Valuable U.S. Dimes You Could Own

Rare dimes have significant value due to their historical significance, or unique errors. Explore our Rare Dimes Worth Money guide to learn more about which dimes you should be on the lookout for and their potential value to collectors.

Let’s take a deep dive into what US dimes could be worth a lot of money. That way, you’ll know how to begin your dime collection or expand your numismatic collection.

Understanding the Value of Rare Dimes

Dimes were first created by the  US Mint in 1796. These small, silver coins did actually have real silver in their material compositions back in the day. Between the years of 1796 in 1837, each dime showed lady liberty on the obverse side. The reverse side featured an eagle.

In 1837, the reverse side switched to show a wreath design instead of an eagle, while  Lady Liberty got to keep her place on the obverse side until 1946. At that point, the profile of Franklin D Roosevelt replaced Lady Liberty, marking the beginning of the so-called "Roosevelt dimes."

Between the years of 1916 and 1945, the US Mint also made a  Mercury dime series designed by Adolph A. Weinman. Lady Liberty’s profile was on the obverse side for this dime series. The series got its odd name because Lady Liberty looked somewhat like Mercury, a Roman god. The reverse side featured fasces and an olive branch.

It was only in 1965 that the Mint stopped adding silver to dimes. After that point, each dime was made with a copper-nickel clad to prevent rust. Dimes have the same face values they always have, but many are worth more at auctions and elsewhere. Coin grading, errors, and how many the United States Mint made of a particular coin can affect if a dime is worth money.

Rare Dimes To Look Out For

1796 Draped Bust Dime Image credit: PCGS

Dimes have been around for a while, but only some of them have achieved "valuable" status. Ever fewer are classified as truly rare. Here are eight rare dimes worth money you should watch out for as you search for new pieces for your collection — some are among the most valuable coins ever.

1. 1796 Draped Bust Dime - $1.2 million

The 1796 Draped Bust Dime is a true rarity, produced in quantities of over 22,000 by the Philadelphia Mint just four years after the Mint began production in general. These extremely rare coins have sold for between $2000 and $50,000, depending on their condition.

The highest recorded auction price for a 1796 Draped Bust Dime is approximately $1.2 million. This high value reflects the coin's extreme rarity and historical significance, as it is one of the earliest dimes produced by the U.S. Mint and highly sought after by collectors.

2. 1894-S Barber Dime - $2.5 million

The 1894-S Barber Dime is highly expensive, and for a good reason: it’s one of the 24 early silver dimes made by the San Francisco Mint. It was struck in 1894 using a Charles E. Barber design.

At the time of this writing, only nine of these rare dime specimens exist, so it is one of the rarest and highest-value US coins ever made. 

The highest recorded auction price for an 1894-S Barber Dime is approximately $2.5 million. This coin is highly coveted due to its rarity, with only 24 known specimens, making it one of the most valuable and sought-after dimes among collectors.

3. 1916-D Mercury Dime: Winged Liberty Head - $1.5 million

The 1916-D Mercury Dime has the historically lowest mintage of any coin in the  Mercury Dime series. Only about 254,000 of these coins were minted, so they're definitely some of the rarest dimes worth money.

The coins were minted at the Denver Mint. Production of these coins ceased shortly after it began since the Denver Mint was ordered to concentrate on minting quarter dollars and half dollars for the rest of the year. These coins are now worth anywhere between $850 and $13,000 — pristine versions have historically sold for nearly $40,000.

The highest recorded auction price for a 1916-D Mercury Dime is approximately $1.5 million. This high value reflects the coin's rarity and desirability, particularly in higher grades, as it is one of the key dates in the Mercury dime series.

4. 1942/1 and 1942/1-D Overdate Mercury Dimes - $100,000+

The 1942/1 and 1942/1-D Mercury Dimes are amazing finds. There are over 41 of these overdate error dimes. They feature a major error of the&n