In the world of numismatics—the study and collection of coins—there exists a fascinating subset of modern American coinage that can be worth substantially more than face value.
While many of us handle dimes and quarters daily without a second thought, certain specimens carry significant premiums that would astonish the average person.
This article explores five exceptionally valuable dimes and a particular Bicentennial quarter that coin collectors eagerly seek, potentially worth thousands of times their face value.
The next time you receive change from a cashier, you might want to look twice before dropping these coins into a tip jar.
The 1916-D Mercury Dime: The Crown Jewel of 20th Century Dimes
The 1916-D Mercury dime stands as the undisputed king of 20th-century dime rarities.
Minted in Denver during the first year of the Mercury dime series, only 264,000 were produced—a minuscule number compared to the millions struck at other mints that year.
The coin features Adolph A. Weinman’s “Winged Liberty Head” design, commonly called the Mercury dime due to the wing-adorned cap resembling the Roman messenger god.
Despite this misnomer (the design actually represents Liberty), the nickname stuck throughout the coin’s production period from 1916 to 1945.
Why was the mintage so low? The Denver Mint prioritized production of quarters that year, leaving little capacity for dimes.
This decision inadvertently created one of America’s most coveted coins. Today, even heavily worn specimens command $1,000 or more.
Well-preserved examples in mint state can fetch $10,000 to $30,000, while pristine specimens have sold for over $200,000 at auction.
Distinguishing characteristics include the small “D” mintmark located on the reverse of the coin, near the base of the fasces (the bundle of rods that symbolizes authority).
Counterfeits exist, often created by adding a fake mintmark to a more common Philadelphia issue, so authentication by professionals is recommended for suspected 1916-D specimens.
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime: A Fascinating Overdate Error
The 1942/1 Mercury dime represents one of the most significant error coins in American numismatics.
This overdate occurred when a die initially punched with “1941” was corrected by punching “1942” over it, creating a visible “1” underneath the “2” in the date.
This error happened at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints, resulting in two varieties: the 1942/1 (no mintmark) and the 1942/1-D.
The Philadelphia version is more common, though both are rare in the absolute sense.
Under magnification, the underlying “1” is clearly visible beneath the “2” in the date, creating a distinct appearance that collectors prize.
The error wasn’t discovered until the coins had entered circulation, meaning that most examples show significant wear.
In circulated condition, the Philadelphia variety typically sells for $500 to $1,500, while the rarer Denver version commands $1,000 to $5,000.
Mint-state specimens are exceptionally scarce, with prime examples fetching $10,000 to $50,000 depending on condition and variety.
The historical context of these errors—occurring as the United States ramped up production during World War II—adds to their appeal among collectors who appreciate both rarity and historical significance.
The 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime: A Modern Rarity
Unlike the previous entries, the 1968 No-S proof dime is a modern rarity, created when proof dies intended to bear the “S” mintmark for San Francisco were mistakenly prepared without it.
Proof coins, specially manufactured with polished dies for collectors, typically exhibit sharper details and mirror-like fields compared to regular circulation strikes.
The 1968 No-S proof dime may appear unremarkable to casual observers—it looks like any other Roosevelt dime—but the absence of the expected “S” mintmark makes it extraordinarily valuable.
These dimes were only released in special proof sets sold directly to collectors, not in general circulation.
Estimates suggest that only 10-15 examples exist, making this one of the rarest modern U.S. coins. When these dimes appear at auction (which happens infrequently), they typically sell for $20,000 to $75,000, depending on condition and provenance.
The U.S. Mint has never officially acknowledged or explained this error, adding to the coin’s mystique.
Similar “No-S” proof errors occurred in 1970, 1975, and 1983, though the 1968 version remains the most valuable due to its extreme rarity.
The 1894-S Barber Dime: A Legendary Rarity
The 1894-S Barber dime stands as one of the most famous and valuable U.S. coins ever produced.
Only 24 were minted, and merely nine examples are currently confirmed to exist, making it part of the “Big Three” of American numismatic rarities alongside the 1804 silver dollar and the 1913 Liberty Head nickel.
The circumstances surrounding this coin’s production remain somewhat mysterious. One popular story claims that San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett ordered the striking of 24 dimes to balance the mint’s accounts by a small amount.
He supposedly gave three to his daughter, telling her to save them until she was older, but she spent one on ice cream on her way home.
While this charming tale has persisted for decades, most numismatic historians now doubt its accuracy.
Regardless of its origin story, the 1894-S Barber dime’s extreme rarity is undisputed. Examples in any condition are worth at least $1 million, with the finest known specimens valued at over $2 million.
The last public sale occurred in 2016 when an example graded Proof-66 by PCGS sold for $1,997,500.
Authentication is crucial for this rarity, as sophisticated counterfeits exist. The genuine 1894-S dime has distinct die characteristics that experts can identify, including specific placement of the date and other minute details.
The 1874-CC With Arrows Seated Liberty Dime: A Carson City Treasure
The Carson City Mint in Nevada produced relatively few coins compared to other U.S. mints, making many “CC” mintmarked coins desirable to collectors.
Among Carson City dimes, the 1874-CC with arrows flanking the date is particularly scarce, with only 10,000 originally minted and far fewer surviving today.
The arrows beside the date signify a slight reduction in the coin’s weight that year, from 2.49 grams to 2.48 grams—a minute change that created a distinct variety for collectors.
The combination of this special designation, the coveted “CC” mintmark, and the general scarcity of Carson City coinage creates significant demand.
In circulated condition, these dimes typically sell for $5,000 to $15,000, while well-preserved uncirculated examples—of which perhaps fewer than a dozen exist—can command $100,000 or more.
A particularly fine specimen sold in 2004 for $184,000, establishing this issue as one of the most valuable dimes in American numismatics.
Finding an 1874-CC dime in circulation today would be virtually impossible, but they occasionally emerge from old collections or estates where their value wasn’t recognized, creating the possibility of significant discoveries for knowledgeable collectors.
The Rare 1976 Bicentennial Quarter: America’s Hidden Treasure
While the five dimes discussed represent well-established rarities, the story of the valuable Bicentennial quarter is more nuanced and contemporary.
Over 1.7 billion Bicentennial quarters were produced between 1975 and 1976, making most examples worth only face value. However, certain varieties and errors can command impressive premiums.
The most valuable Bicentennial quarter variety is the 1976 double die obverse (DDO).
This error occurred when the die used to strike the coin received multiple impressions at slightly different angles during manufacturing, creating a doubled appearance on certain design elements, particularly noticeable in the lettering of “LIBERTY” and in the date.
Another valuable variety is the 1976-S silver proof Bicentennial quarter with no mintmark.
The San Francisco Mint produced special silver-clad proof versions for collectors, all of which should bear the “S” mintmark. The rare examples missing this crucial identifier can fetch $5,000 to $15,000.
For circulation strikes, Bicentennial quarters graded MS-67 or higher can sell for impressive sums, particularly those with outstanding “full drum lines” (FDL) on the reverse design’s colonial drum. The finest examples with this designation have sold for $5,000 to $10,000.
Perhaps most valuable are specimens struck on incorrect planchets (blanks). Bicentennial quarters struck on silver dime planchets or other wrong blanks can bring $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the specific error and condition.
When examining your Bicentennial quarters, look for doubling in the lettering, missing mintmarks on silver specimens, and exceptional preservation with full details.
While finding a five-figure Bicentennial quarter remains unlikely, such discoveries continue to emerge from circulation and old collections.
The Thrill of the Hunt
The enduring appeal of these rare coins extends beyond their monetary value.
They represent historical artifacts, artistic achievements, and the fascinating intersection of economic necessity and human error. Each carries a story—whether of a mint superintendent’s decision during a depression, a die preparer’s mistake during wartime, or a modern minting anomaly that slipped past quality control.
For collectors, the hunt for these rarities provides a perpetual treasure hunt.
While finding a 1916-D Mercury dime or 1894-S Barber dime in circulation today would be akin to winning the lottery, more recent rarities like valuable Bicentennial quarter varieties occasionally turn up in pocket change or rolls from banks.
This possibility—that everyday currency might contain extraordinary treasure—keeps collectors scrutinizing their change and searching through rolls of coins.
The hobby connects participants to America’s economic history while offering the tantalizing prospect of discovering something of significant value hiding in plain sight.
Whether you’re an established numismatist or simply someone who enjoys checking their change, understanding these valuable coins adds another dimension to our relationship with everyday currency.
The next time you receive a handful of dimes or quarters, take a moment to examine them—you never know what might be hiding in your pocket change.
Dimes and a Rare Bicentennial Quarter
For those fortunate enough to discover what appears to be one of these valuable coins, professional authentication becomes essential.
Organizations like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) provide expert verification and grading services that protect buyers and sellers alike.
Proper preservation also matters significantly. Coins should never be cleaned, as improper cleaning can drastically reduce value.
Instead, handle potential rarities by their edges, store them in appropriate holders, and consult with experts before taking any action that might affect their condition or authenticity.
The world of rare coin collecting offers both historical fascination and financial opportunity.
While most coins in circulation remain worth only face value, the knowledge that exceptions exist transforms an ordinary handful of change into a potential numismatic adventure.