In the fascinating world of coin collecting, some dimes and quarters are worth far more than their face value. These coins stand out because of their extreme rarity, minting mistakes, or historical value.
Some of these tiny pieces of metal have sold for hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars. Let’s look into 10 rare dimes and bicentennial quarters that, together, could be worth over $75 million.
Table of Content
1894-S
The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the most legendary and valuable dimes in U.S. history. Only 24 of them were ever minted in San Francisco, and today, fewer than 10 are known to exist.
One tale claims that a Mint official gave them to banker friends and his daughter, who may have spent one on ice cream. If you’re lucky enough to own one, it could sell for over $2 million at auction.
1916-D
The 1916-D Mercury Dime was minted in Denver during the first year of the Mercury dime’s release. Only 264,000 were made, making it the lowest mintage of the series.
This key date coin is highly prized by collectors, especially in top condition, where it can bring in more than $100,000.
1942/1
During World War II, a curious minting error occurred. Some 1942 dimes were struck using a die that had originally been engraved for 1941, then altered to read 1942. This created the 1942/1 Mercury Dime overdate.
You can see the “1” under the “2” if you look closely. These coins, especially in high grades, can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
1975 No-S
The 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime is one of the rarest modern coins. It was supposed to have an “S” mint mark for San Francisco, but the mark was missing on a few proof coins. Only two examples are known to exist, making it a modern rarity. One sold in 2019 for $456,000.
1968 No-S
Another mint mark error, the 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime, was released in proof sets without the San Francisco “S” mint mark. Although more of these exist than the 1975 version, they are still incredibly valuable. High-grade examples have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
1976 Quarter
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter was created to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. Most of these are common and worth only face value. However, some rare varieties are highly valuable to collectors. These quarters feature a colonial drummer design created by Jack L. Ahr.
1976-S Silver
The San Francisco Mint produced special silver proof versions of the bicentennial quarter. These coins are 40% silver and were released with a brilliant proof finish.
While they are not ultra-rare, high-grade examples can sell for several hundred dollars.
Quarter on Dime Planchet
One of the rarest bicentennial quarter errors involves the coin being struck on a dime planchet. This mistake meant the quarter design ended up on a smaller, thinner dime-sized blank. These are very rare minting errors and can sell for thousands of dollars when discovered.
1976-D Doubled Die
The 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter with a Doubled Die Obverse is another sought-after piece. Doubling occurs when a coin die is engraved twice by mistake, causing visible doubling in the date and lettering.
In excellent condition, these coins can be worth hundreds or even thousands.
1976 Aluminum
The elusive 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter may not officially exist, but there are rumors that experimental aluminum quarters were struck in the 1970s.
If one ever surfaced and could be legally sold, it would be worth millions. So far, none have been confirmed, making it the ultimate mystery coin.
These rare dimes and quarters show that coin collecting can be much more than a hobby. With the right knowledge and a little luck, you could uncover a piece of American history worth a small fortune.
Whether passed down through generations or hiding in plain sight, these coins represent true hidden treasures.
FAQs
How many 1894-S Barber Dimes exist?
Fewer than 10 are known to exist today.
What makes the 1975 No S dime rare?
It lacks the San Francisco mint mark and only two are known.
How much is a 1916-D Mercury Dime worth?
In top condition, it can sell for over $100,000.
Are Bicentennial quarters valuable?
Some rare errors and silver proofs are worth hundreds or more.
What is a doubled die coin?
It has doubled images due to a die error during production.
