THE dime jingling around in your pocket could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
At least, so long as the coin meets a few special criteria — but it’s still in circulation to this day.
Some US coins are incredibly rare and valuable for several reasons, and a specific version of the 1968 dime went sold for $45,600 at auction a few years back, per Heritage Auctions. It wasn’t any ordinary dime minted that year, however, this dime was a "proof" coin. Proof coins are different than the business (or standard) coins you might get as change paying cash for your coffee in the morning. They are made with a special minting process and are of a higher quality, specifically intended not to be used but to be collected as a longer-term investment, per the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Americans can even purchase proof sets for a few hundred dollars through the United States Mint, which includes all the proof coins for the current year. Either way, the 1968 dime was a proof coin, increasing its value exponentially, but it’s also missing the "S" mintmark, which should signify it was made at the San Francisco Mint.
A missing mint mark in general is unusual and can make a coin valuable, but there’s more to it with the 1968 dime. During that year, the San Francisco Mint only made proof dimes — its first time doing so — and the vast majority had the "S" mintmark. In a brief accident, the "S" wasn’t included in a small number of die pallets used to make the coin, and only a handful are expected to exist today, some in circulation and others already found, according to the PCGS.
There are no documents to confirm exactly how many were miss-struck as well. Due to this, experts rank the 1968 No S Roosevelt Proof Dime the third among the greatest coins in US history. Needless to say, it’s extremely sought after by collectors, especially with a PCGS grading of 69.
The PCGS Grading Standards go from 1 to 70, with 70 deeming a coin in absolutely perfect condition. The dime is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel and features former President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse side, with the signature torch, olive branch, and oak branch on the reverse.
It is said that the olive branch symbolizes peace, the torch liberty, and the oak branch strength and independence, per the US Mint. A considerably older dime is worth even more money, but it’s likely not sitting around in your change dish. The 1916-D dime sold at auction for $152,750 in recent years. Its value lies in the fact that it was minted in Denver, where only 264,000 dimes were produced that year compared to 22 million in Philadelphia and 10 million in San Francisco.
Additionally, it had what’s known as "full bands" among coin experts on the reverse side, which features a bundle of rods with an axe wrapped in three sets of bands, along with an olive branch. In the middle set of bands, there should be a visible split, which means the bands are "full." Another rare proof coin also sold for $84,000 recently due to a special detail.
A "cobalt-blue" sheen on another incredibly old coin could also make it worth about $205,625.
Conclusion
In conclusion, some US coins are incredibly rare and valuable, and it’s possible that the dime jingling around in your pocket could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. Whether it’s a 1968 dime or an older coin, it’s essential to have it appraised by a professional to determine its value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes a coin rare and valuable?
A: A coin’s rarity and value are determined by several factors, including its age, mint mark, condition, and demand among collectors.
Q: How can I determine the value of my coin?
A: You can have your coin appraised by a professional coin dealer or grading service, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Q: What is a proof coin?
A: A proof coin is a coin that is made with a special minting process and is of a higher quality, specifically intended not to be used but to be collected as a longer-term investment.
Q: How can I purchase proof sets?
A: You can purchase proof sets from the United States Mint, which includes all the proof coins for the current year.
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