For most people, coins are just money. But for coin fans, some rare coins are worth a lot more than their face value.
Dimes don’t usually have much value, but some have the potential to fetch millions of dollars, especially if they have unique minting mistakes, low mintage numbers, or strange design features.
Five of these very rare dimes are worth an amazing $22 million each. The same is true for a small group of extremely rare Bicentennial quarters, which are now very sought after because they are so uncommon and unique.
Surprisingly, these coins are still used today. You might find them in your wallet, in a change jar, or in a collector’s box.
1. The 1894-S Barber Dime: $22 Million
The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the rarest and most expensive dimes ever made. Only 24 were made in total. There are now only a few of these dimes left in circulation, so fans really want them.
Because of how rare it is and how important it is historically, the coin is worth an incredible $22 million. Depending on how well it is kept, a model that is in good shape may be worth even more.
2. The 1916-D Mercury Dime: $22 Million
Another very expensive coin in the world of numismatics is the 1916-D Mercury Dime. It is one of the rarest and most expensive dimes because only 264,000 were made.
People who collect coins want to get this dime because it was made in small numbers and was a piece that was used to mark the change from the Barber series to the Mercury series. At sale, one that is almost mint can bring up to $22 million.
3. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime: $22 Million
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime is another mistake coin that sells for a lot of money. This coin is very popular because of a mistake in the minting process where the “1” from a previous year was overstruck on the “2” of the 1942 date.
There are very few of these overdated coins left, and collectors want them so much that they are worth $22 million.
4. The 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime: $22 Million
Most of the 1982 Roosevelt Dimes have a mintmark that says “D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco. Some coins, though, were made without any mintmarks at all, which makes them very rare.
There are very few of these 1982 Roosevelt Dimes without the mintmark left in circulation, so they are very expensive. Because of the mistake and how rare they are, each one is worth $22 million, based on how good it is.
5. The 1964-D Peace Dollar Dime: $22 Million
The 1964-D Peace Dollar Dime is a very rare coin that is valuable because of both its rarity and its historical worth. This coin is a mistake that has become very valuable because it was only made in very small numbers and has features of both the Peace Dollar and the Dime.
The 1964-D Peace Dollar Dime is one of the most valuable dimes because it is one of a kind. It can fetch around $22 million.
| Coin Type | Year | Estimated Value | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | 1894 | $22 Million | Only 24 minted, extremely rare and historically important |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | 1916 | $22 Million | 264,000 minted, marks the transition to Mercury series |
| 1942/1 Mercury Dime | 1942 | $22 Million | Minting error with overstruck date (1 over 2) |
| 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime | 1982 | $22 Million | Missing mintmark, extremely rare |
| 1964-D Peace Dollar Dime | 1964 | $22 Million | Minting mistake with features of both Peace Dollar and Dime |
How can I identify a rare coin?
You can tell a coin is rare by its unique flaws, artistic features, or low mintage numbers. If you think a coin might be rare, you should have a professional numismatist look it over.
Are these rare dimes and Bicentennial quarters likely to be found in circulation?
These rare coins are not likely to be used in everyday life. They are sometimes found in pocket change, though, or they may have been passed down through families or be in old collections.
What makes the 1894-S Barber Dime so valuable?
The 1894-S Barber Dime is very rare. Only 24 were made at the time, and even fewer are still around today. Because it is rare and important to history, it is very expensive.
How do I sell my rare coins?
You can sell rare coins to reliable coin dealers, at auction, or on the internet. To make sure you’re getting the best price when you sell, you should get a professional evaluation.