Your dime in your pocket must be worth a lot to a collector. Although most dimes are only worth ten cents face value, some error coins and other hard-to-find varieties have brought a staggering amount to an auction, selling for as much as $2,000 or more. Knowing why these coins are valuable and how to locate them could turn your pocket change into a fortune.
The 1982 no-P dime: A minting error worth thousands
The most valuable dime in circulation is the 1982 Roosevelt dime missing the “P” mint mark of the Philadelphia Mint. An unusual occurrence in 1982 occurred at the Philadelphia Mint when a striking of Roosevelt dimes was put into circulation without the usual “P” mintmark, which since 1980 had been automatically present on Philadelphia coins. It resulted when a mint worker didn’t punch the “P” mint mark into an operating die, and the mistake went unchallenged in the quality control process.
75,000 to 150,000 of the error coins were already in circulation before the error was found. The highest concentration was in Sandusky, Ohio, where 8,000 to 10,000 of the coins were found, which were mostly distributed as change at Cedar Point Amusement Park. The 1982 No-P dime is thus the initial and sole business strike coin to exit the U.S. Mint without its allotted mint mark.
How to tell if the 1982 no-P dime is a weak or strong strike
To discover if you possess one of these dimes, glance at the front of your 1982 dime and above the date where a mint mark would appear. A regular 1982 Philadelphia dime will have a “P,” but if you see no letter there, you might have hit the jackpot.
There are two varieties that collectors have discovered based on the quality of the strike:
- Strong strike variety: The strong strike variety coins have sharp, well-defined details with distinct separation of the date from the rim. The strong strike variety is more popular among collectors because it contains crisp detail.
- Weak strike variety: These dimes have less well-defined characteristics with the date numeral “2” appearing weak and nearer to the edge. These were found later in Pittsburgh and are less prized than their strong strike varieties.
Current market values and investment potential
The price of an 1982 No-P dime also depends considerably on its grade and strike quality. Low mint state grades in these coins sell for $75 to $300, whereas high-grade examples in MS67 sell for $1,500 to $2,000 or more. The variety with the strong strike always sells for more than weak strike varieties.
Today’s auction prices show the strength of the coin in the marketplace, with certified specimens selling in hundreds to thousands of dollars based on grade and variety. Professional coin grading firms such as PCGS and NGC have made it the most-submitted clad Roosevelt dime to be graded aside from special commemorative issues.
Other dime errors to look out for
Aside from the 1982 No-P, a number of other dime errors are worth a small fortune. Strike-through errors, where coins are struck through foreign objects such as clothing, have sold for $384. Missing clad layer errors, where the outer layer is absent, can sell for $140. Off-center strikes, double strikes, and coins struck on the wrong planchets all do well with collectors.
Pre-1965 90% silver dimes are worth between $2 and $5 each on metal content alone independent of condition. Later error coins, including some 2018 Roosevelt dimes in mint state, have sold for several hundred dollars.
How to check your coins
To identify valuable dimes, examine dates, mint marks, and condition with a magnifying glass. Inspect for irregularities, missing characteristics, or strike errors. Electronic scales can confirm weight, and reference apps can detect certain kinds. Keep in mind that condition plays a major role in value, so treat potential treasures gingerly.
The discovery of valuable error coins continues to attract new collectors into the hobby, assuring that incredible discoveries can still be found in common pocket change. Before spending that 1982 dime, inspect it closely for the absent “P” – it could be your entry ticket to a $2,000 payday.
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