5 Rare Roosevelt & Barber
Imagine pulling a simple dime from your pocket… and realizing it is worth more than a house. Sounds unrealistic? In professional coin collecting (numismatics), this happens more often than most people think.
Some of the world’s most valuable coins look completely ordinary at first glance. What separates face value from six or seven figures is knowledge, not luck.
In this guide, you will learn about five legendary U.S. dimes, how much they are worth, and exactly how collectors identify them. 
Let’s begin.
Why Some Dimes Are Worth a Fortune
Most people assume rare coins must be:
- Very old
- Made of gold or silver
- Obviously different
That assumption is why priceless coins are missed every year.
Elite collectors look for:
- Mint mark errors
- Wrong metal planchets
- Extremely low mintage
- Special strikes
- Professional certification (PCGS / NGC)
Now let’s examine the five coins that prove this.
1975 Roosevelt Dime (No Mint Mark) – Worth $450,000+
Why it’s special
In 1975:
- Philadelphia struck no dimes
- San Francisco proof dimes must have an “S” mint mark
Yet, two proof dimes escaped the mint without the “S” mark.
According to official records, this coin should not exist.
Value
Auction price: Over $450,000
How to identify
- Date: 1975
- Proof coin (mirror-like surface)
- No “S” mint mark
- Must be certified by PCGS or NGC
A normal 1975 dime = face value only.
1894-S Barber Dime – Worth $2,000,000
Why it’s legendary
Only 24 coins were minted.
Today, only 9 confirmed examples exist.
No official explanation fully explains why so few were made.
Value
Auction price: Nearly $2 million
How to identify
- Date: 1894
- Mint mark: S (San Francisco)
- Barber design
- PCGS or NGC certification required
This coin is considered museum-level rare.
1967 Roosevelt Dime (SMS) – Worth $40,000+
Why it’s misunderstood
All 1967 dimes have no mint mark due to a coin shortage policy.
But…
Some were struck as Special Mint Set (SMS) coins with:
- Mirror-like fields
- Sharp details
- Deep cameo contrast
Value
Record sale: Over $40,000
How to identify
- Date: 1967
- No mint mark
- Proof-like or mirror finish
- High-grade PCGS/NGC certification
A normal 1967 dime = common.
An SMS version = elite rarity.
1974-D Roosevelt Dime (Struck on Silver) – Worth $43,000+
Why it matters
Denver was striking clad dimes only.
But a few coins were accidentally struck on silver planchets.
Value
Record sale: Over $43,000
How to identify
- Date: 1974
- Mint mark: D
- Solid silver edge (no copper stripe)
- Heavier than normal
- Certified by PCGS/NGC
This is a major mint error category.
1982-D Roosevelt Dime (Struck on Silver) – Worth $10,000+
Why it’s shocking
Looks completely normal… but some were struck on silver instead of clad metal.
Value
Record sale: Over $10,000
How to identify
- Date: 1982
- Mint mark: D
- Silver edge
- Unusual weight
- PCGS or NGC certified
Step-by-Step: How Collectors Spot Valuable Dimes
Here is the professional process:
Step 1 – Check the date & mint mark
Look for unusual combinations or missing marks.
Step 2 – Examine the edge
Silver = solid gray
Clad = copper stripe
Step 3 – Weigh the coin
Wrong metal = wrong weight.
Step 4 – Inspect the surface
Proof finish? Mirror fields? Cameo contrast?
Step 5 – NEVER clean the coin
Cleaning can destroy 90% of its value instantly.
Step 6 – Get professional grading
Only PCGS or NGC certification unlocks top auction prices.
How Million-Dollar Coins Are Sold
High-value coins are sold through:
- Major auction houses
- Certified coin marketplaces
- Elite collectors’ networks
Professional photos, certification numbers, and documentation are mandatory.
Final Thoughts
Most coins are common.
But a few:
- Break mint records
- Rewrite history
- Create life-changing wealth
Rarity is not luck.
Rarity is knowledge.
