10 Rare Dimes and Bicentennial Coins Worth $158 Million Each – Check Your Change

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1916-D Mercury Dime

In the world of coin collecting, a few tiny treasures can hold jaw-dropping value. While most dimes and quarters might just fill up your pocket change, a rare few are worth thousands—or even millions.

Today, we’re looking into ten rare dimes and Bicentennial coins that collectors in 2025 are still chasing. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these in your stash, you might just be sitting on a goldmine.

Barber

Let’s start with the legend—the 1894-S Barber Dime. This is the holy grail for serious collectors. Only 24 were ever minted, and just nine are known to exist today. The story goes that the San Francisco Mint’s superintendent made these coins as personal gifts.

His daughter supposedly spent one on ice cream. Imagine that cone now costing you $2 million! If you spot the “S” mint mark and classic Barber design, don’t spend it—authenticate it.

Mercury

The 1916-D Mercury Dime is another prized piece. It holds the lowest mintage of the Mercury dime series—only 264,000 were struck. A well-worn one might fetch $10,000, but a mint-condition example? That’s over $100,000 easy.

A top-graded version sold for $207,000 in 2022. Check the back for a tiny “D” mint mark under the torch.

Overdate

Then there’s the quirky 1942/1 Mercury Dime. It’s a true minting error—look closely and you’ll see a faint “1” underneath the “2.” This oddity happened during the war years, making it both rare and historically significant. Even circulated versions are worth hundreds, while crisp, uncirculated ones top $10,000.

No-S

Let’s talk about two error coins that shocked collectors: the 1975 No-S and 1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dimes. These were supposed to be struck in San Francisco with an “S” mint mark, but… it’s missing. Only two of the 1975 version are known, and one sold for over $450,000.

The 1968 version is slightly more common (about 20 exist), and mint examples fetch upwards of $30,000. You’ll need a magnifier and a sharp eye to verify them.

Bicentennial

Moving on to America’s 200th birthday celebration: the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter. While most are worth face value, a few special editions and errors are anything but ordinary.

These quarters have the “1776–1976” dual date and a colonial drummer on the back.

Here’s a breakdown:

TypeMint MarkMaterialValue Range
Circulation StrikeNone/DCopper-Nickel$1 – $5
Proof CladSCopper-Nickel$5 – $15
Uncirculated SilverS40% Silver$15 – $50
Proof SilverS40% Silver$20 – $100

Doubled

Now for the rare errors. The 1976 Double Die Reverse Quarter features visible doubling in the drummer’s hands and drumsticks. These can go from $45 to $1,000+ depending on condition.

A similar but separate error is the 1976-D Doubled Die Obverse—look at the word “LIBERTY.” If it looks doubled, you’ve hit a jackpot worth up to a few grand.

Planchet

One of the strangest finds is the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter struck on a Dime Planchet. It’s smaller than normal and parts of the design are cut off. Because of its extreme rarity, prices can exceed $50,000.

No S Quarter

Lastly, the ultra-rare 1976-S Silver Proof “No S” Bicentennial Quarter. This proof coin, intended for collectors, somehow missed the all-important mint mark.

With fewer than 20 examples verified, one sold for $32,500 in 2023. If you find one, you’ve basically found treasure.

In the coin world, it’s not always about age—it’s about rarity, condition, and sometimes, human error. These 10 dimes and Bicentennial quarters prove that even the smallest coins can carry massive stories and sky-high price tags.

So before you toss your change in a jar, maybe take a second look. Who knows what might be hiding in plain sight?

FAQs

What is the rarest US dime?

The 1894-S Barber Dime with only 9 known examples.

How much is a 1975 No-S Dime worth?

Over $450,000, with only two known specimens.

Which Bicentennial coin is most valuable?

The 1976-S No S Silver Proof Quarter, up to $32,500.

What is a doubled die quarter?

A coin with a design that was struck twice, causing doubling.

What does ‘planchet error’ mean?

It’s when a coin is struck on the wrong-sized metal blank.

Zoya Malik

Zoya Malik is a tech writer and gadget reviewer who has been exploring the world of smartphones, smartwatches, and consumer electronics since 2016. She focuses on real-world performance, design insights, and user experience rather than just specs. Zoya has reviewed more than 150 devices across Android and iOS platforms and contributes regularly to tech communities and blogs.

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