Rare 2012 Dime Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

A collector paid $1,200 for a single 2012 dime error at an online auction in 2020 — a Roosevelt dime with a completely smooth edge where 118 reeds should have been. That kind of return on a ten-cent coin gets attention.

The 2012 Roosevelt dime errors on this list range from $20 clipped planchets to four-figure smooth-edge specimens. Here is every documented error type, what each is worth, and how to tell a real one from pocket damage.

1. 2012 Dime Partial Collar Error (Up to $50)

A partial collar error occurs when the planchet is not fully seated in the collar die before the hammer strikes. One portion sits inside the collar while the rest extends above it, creating a stepped edge on the finished coin.

Collectors call this a “railroad rim” because the stepped edge resembles a rail cross-section. Reeding appears normal on the seated portion, while the exposed section shows a smooth expanded lip.

A coin barely above the collar shows a subtle ledge; one sitting significantly high produces a shelf visible without magnification.

Value: Partial collar errors on modern Roosevelt dimes typically sell for $10 to $50 depending on the severity of the step and overall coin grade. No record-breaking 2012-specific partial collar sales have appeared at Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections, but eBay transactions for clearly defined examples on modern clad dimes consistently land between $15 and $50. More dramatic stepped edges command the upper end of that range.

How to Identify: Examine the coin’s edge for a distinct step or shelf where the reeding transitions abruptly to a smooth, expanded lip. The stepped section sits higher than the normal rim and creates an asymmetric profile visible from the side. A normal dime has a uniform reeded edge all the way around. Partial collars show reeding on one portion and a smooth flared lip on the other. Use calipers to check the diameter at different points — the flared section will measure wider than the standard 17.91mm. The coin should still weigh 2.27 grams since no metal is lost. Post-mint damage from vice grips or rollers flattens the edge irregularly without the clean shelf transition. Fastest confirmation: if the coin shows a clean geometric step between reeded and smooth edge sections, it is a partial collar strike.

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2. 2012 Dime Clipped Planchet Error (Up to $100)

Clipped planchets happen at the blanking press when the punch overlaps a previously cut hole in the metal strip. The result is a blank with a crescent-shaped bite missing from its edge before it ever reaches the coining press.

The clip occurs before striking, so the missing section never carried any design. The remaining planchet receives the full die impression, though metal flow near the clip may produce slight weakness.

Straight clips also exist when the punch catches the strip’s edge, creating a flat cut rather than a curve. Multiple clips on one planchet are rare but documented.

Value: Clipped planchet Roosevelt dimes sell for $20 to $100 depending on the clip size and coin grade. Larger clips removing 10% or more of the planchet bring $50 to $100 in uncirculated condition. Multiple clips push prices higher. No major auction house has recorded a standout 2012-specific clip sale, but the error type trades steadily in this range across modern clad dimes at both eBay and dealer shows.

How to Identify: Look for a curved indentation along the edge where metal is missing. The key authentication feature is the Blakesley effect — a weak or flat spot on the rim directly opposite the clip caused by incomplete metal flow during the upsetting process before striking. Weigh the coin: a normal Roosevelt dime is 2.27 grams, and a clipped planchet will register lighter proportional to the missing metal. The struck design should flow naturally up to the clip boundary without distortion or tool marks. Post-mint damage from pliers or cutters leaves sharp irregular edges and disturbed metal. Genuine clips show smooth edges consistent with the original blanking process. Fastest confirmation: if the rim opposite the clip shows the Blakesley effect — a zone of weakness or flattening — the clip happened before striking.

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3. 2012 Dime Missing Clad Layer Error (Up to $150)

Roosevelt dimes are three-layer sandwiches: a pure copper core bonded between two outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy. A missing clad layer means one outer layer failed to bond during strip preparation at the mill.

The exposed copper core gives one side a distinctly reddish-brown appearance while the other side looks normal. This happens before the planchet is punched, making it a planchet-level defect.

Unlike Jefferson nickels — which are solid alloy and cannot have a missing clad layer — this terminology is correct for dimes. The bonding failure reveals what is normally hidden inside clad coins.

Value: Missing clad layer dimes typically sell for $40 to $150, depending on how complete the absence is and the coin’s overall grade. A comparable-era Roosevelt dime with nearly complete missing clad on both sides sold for $129 at Heritage Auctions in 2013. A 2012-P example with partial missing clad has been listed on eBay at $37. Bright copper examples in mint state grades bring the top of the range.

How to Identify: Weight is the definitive diagnostic. A standard clad dime weighs 2.27 grams. A dime missing one clad layer typically weighs 1.80 to 2.00 grams because the nickel alloy layer is gone. If your dime looks copper-colored but still weighs 2.27 grams, it is environmental damage — acids, soil, or heat can turn a normal dime reddish without removing metal. Under magnification, a genuine missing clad layer shows a smooth copper surface without pitting or porosity. Environmentally damaged coins show rough, irregular discoloration and surface degradation. The copper color should cover one entire face evenly rather than appearing in random splotches. Fastest confirmation: weigh it to 0.01 gram accuracy — if the weight falls between 1.80 and 2.10 grams and one side is copper-red, it is a missing clad layer.

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4. 2012 Dime Die Crack Error (Up to $200)

Die cracks form when hardened steel dies fracture from the repeated stress of striking thousands of coins. Metal from the planchet flows into the crack during each strike, creating a raised line on the finished coin.

Cracks usually start at the rim and extend inward, following stress lines in the steel. The hard nickel-copper outer layer of clad dimes accelerates die fatigue compared to softer compositions.

When a large section of the die rim fractures but stays attached, the result is a retained cud — a raised blob along the edge rather than a line.

Value: Die cracks on modern Roosevelt dimes sell for $30 to $200 depending on length, location, and visual impact. Heritage Auctions sold a 2013-P Roosevelt dime graded MS65 with a prominent die crack for approximately $200 in 2014. Smaller or less dramatic cracks on modern dimes bring $30 to $75 at eBay. Cracks crossing Roosevelt’s portrait or major lettering consistently command the upper end of the range.

How to Identify: Die cracks appear as raised lines on the coin’s surface, standing above the normal field. Angle a single directional light source to cast shadows — the crack will catch light differently than the flat field around it. The line should follow a natural fracture pattern, typically running from the rim inward. Scratches cut into the metal and sit below the surface. Die cracks sit above it. That distinction is diagnostic. Under 10x magnification, the crack’s surface should match the coin’s luster with no tool marks. Larger cracks may cross design elements like lettering or Roosevelt’s bust. The most valuable examples create cuds — raised blobs where the die fragment broke but remained attached near the rim. Fastest confirmation: if the line is raised above the field, extends from or toward the rim, and follows a natural fracture path, it is a die crack.

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5. 2012 Dime Struck Through Error (Up to $215)

Struck-through errors occur when foreign material gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. The debris blocks the die from fully impressing its design, leaving a weak zone, void, or impression of the object on the coin.

Grease is the most common culprit on modern dimes, producing ghostly or completely absent design elements where the grease sat. Wire fragments, cloth fibers, and metal shavings also appear.

Retained struck-throughs — where the foreign object stays embedded in the coin — are rarer and more collectible than cases where the debris fell away after striking.

Value: GreatCollections sold a 2012-P Roosevelt dime graded MS62 with an obverse struck-through error for $215 in 2016. Minor struck-throughs with small affected areas trade for $50 to $100 on eBay. Dramatic examples with large missing design sections or retained foreign objects push past $200. The visual impact of the affected area and whether the object remains embedded both drive the final price at auction.

How to Identify: Look for areas where the design appears weak, mushy, or completely missing within a defined zone. The boundaries of the affected area should be smooth and flowing, not sharp or jagged like post-mint damage. Grease-filled die errors show faint ghost-like design elements as if someone tried to erase part of the coin. If debris remains embedded, you will see material that does not match the coin’s clad alloy adhering to the surface. Compare the weak area to the rest of the coin — unaffected portions should show normal full-detail striking. Circulation scratches displace metal and leave directional marks with disturbed surfaces. Struck-throughs show consistent weakness without metal displacement. Fastest confirmation: if the weakness has smooth rounded boundaries and the rest of the coin shows strong strike detail, it is a struck-through.

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6. 2012 Dime Doubled Die Obverse Error (Up to $230)

Doubled die errors originate during die manufacturing when the working hub impresses the die at slightly different positions across multiple impressions. The offset embeds a permanent doubled image into the steel itself.

Every coin struck by that die carries identical doubling in the same locations. On 2012 dimes, the doubling tends to appear on the lettering of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date digits.

This is a die-level error, not a striking error. Machine doubling — which is worthless — happens during striking and looks flat and shelf-like rather than rounded and separated.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2012-P Roosevelt dime graded MS63 with a doubled die obverse error for $230 in 2016. Minor doubled dies on modern dimes trade between $50 and $150 depending on visibility. The premium depends almost entirely on how obvious the doubling appears — subtle varieties requiring 20x magnification to detect will not generate the same bidding as one visible at 5x.

How to Identify: Focus on the obverse lettering under 10x magnification. Examine LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date for letters or numbers with a notched or separated appearance where elements seem fully formed but offset. True doubled dies show rounded, complete doubling with full depth on both impressions. Machine doubling — which adds zero premium — appears as flat shelf-like displacement with no independent relief. The doubled elements should look like two complete images slightly separated, not smeared or flattened. Check variety reference sites for cataloged 2012 Roosevelt dime DDO listings, as each variety has documented die markers at specific positions. Fastest confirmation: if the doubling is rounded with full separation and appears in the same locations on multiple coins from the same die, it is a genuine doubled die.

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7. 2012 Dime Die Chip Error (Up to $300)

A die chip forms when a small fragment of hardened steel breaks away from the die surface during operation. The void fills with planchet metal on every subsequent strike, producing a raised bump or blob on the finished coin.

Dies grow brittle from repeated impact against the tough clad alloy. Chips typically appear on late-die-state coins when the steel is near failure.

Small chips are common and add little value. The money is in large chips that land on visually prominent locations — Roosevelt’s chin, within key lettering, or on the torch and branches of the reverse.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2013-P Roosevelt dime graded MS65 with a reverse die chip error for $200 in 2014. Prominent chips on modern Roosevelt dimes can reach $300 when they land on major design elements in high-grade coins. Small inconspicuous chips on uncertified dimes add $10 to $30. Certification by PCGS or NGC and a visually interesting chip location both drive prices toward the upper range.

How to Identify: Die chips appear as small raised bumps integrated into the coin’s metal surface, not debris sitting on top. Under 5x to 10x magnification, the bump should match the color and luster of the surrounding field. The raised area has a smooth rounded profile from metal flowing into the die void under striking pressure. A die chip only appears on the side struck by the damaged die, so compare both faces. Post-mint contact marks show flat or depressed areas with different surface texture. If you can dislodge the bump with a wooden toothpick, it is debris rather than a chip. Die chips produce isolated raised dots while die cracks produce raised lines — that distinction separates the two related error types. Fastest confirmation: if the bump has matching luster to the adjacent field and sits proud of the surface with smooth rounded edges, it is a die chip.

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8. 2012 Dime Rim Cud Error (Up to $300)

A rim cud forms when a section of the die edge breaks away but the die remains in service. The void along the rim fills with planchet metal during subsequent strikes, creating a raised flat blob along the circumference.

Cuds differ from standard die cracks in both appearance and value. A crack produces a thin raised line; a cud produces a broad raised mass covering a significant arc of the rim.

Larger cuds with dramatic visual presence command the strongest premiums. Substantial examples are collected as a distinct error category separate from ordinary die breaks.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2012-P Roosevelt dime graded MS64 with a rim cud error for $300 in 2015. Smaller cuds on modern dimes sell for $50 to $150 depending on size and location. The 2010-S clad proof dime with a rim cud brought $1,450 at GreatCollections in 2012, showing how proof status and dramatic size amplify the premium. Business strikes with visible cuds consistently trade in the $100 to $300 range.

How to Identify: Look for a raised, flat mass of metal along the coin’s rim that disrupts the normal edge profile. The cud should be raised above the field and have a smooth, uniform surface matching the coin’s luster. Under magnification, the cud often connects to smaller die cracks radiating inward from the break site. The raised blob should feel seamless with the coin when you run your fingernail across it — not loose or detachable. Genuine cuds show consistent metal flow patterns and matching surface finish. Post-mint damage from contact or tools creates dents and displaced metal below the surface rather than raised masses above it. Measure the arc — cuds covering a larger portion of the rim are worth more. Fastest confirmation: if a raised flat blob at the rim connects to visible die crack lines and matches the coin’s surface finish, it is a retained cud.

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9. 2012 Dime Die Clash Error (Up to $310)

Die clash errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. The collision transfers design elements from each die onto the opposing surface as shallow impressions.

When a planchet is subsequently struck, the coin carries ghost images from the wrong side — traces of the torch on the obverse, or Roosevelt’s profile on the reverse. The press cycles whether a blank is present or not.

The Mint’s maintenance crew polishes out most clashes. Strong clashes that survive and show clearly visible ghost images are the ones collectors target.

Value: A collector on eBay paid $310 for a 2012-D Roosevelt dime graded MS64 with a die clash error in 2015. Die clashes on modern Roosevelt dimes generally trade between $50 and $300 depending on the strength of the transferred ghost image. Faint clashes visible only under high magnification bring the low end, while bold transfers showing clearly identifiable design elements from the opposite side command premium prices.

How to Identify: Examine the open field areas of the coin with a 10x loupe under angled lighting. Ghost images from the opposing die appear as faint shallow impressions in the fields between major design elements. On the obverse, check around Roosevelt’s chin and neck truncation for traces of the torch or reverse lettering. On the reverse, scan the fields for hints of Roosevelt’s profile outline. Angled lighting reveals shallow clash marks far more effectively than direct overhead illumination. Die clashes are geometrically consistent — the ghost image sits exactly where the opposing die would make contact. Random scratches lack this positional logic. Fastest confirmation: if you can identify a specific design element from the opposite side appearing as a shallow impression in the geometrically correct position, it is a die clash.

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10. 2012 Dime Lamination Error (Up to $712)

Lamination errors occur when impurities or gas pockets trapped within the clad strip create weak zones in the metal. After striking, these flaws cause the surface to peel, flake, or split along the horizontal plane.

On clad Roosevelt dimes, the lamination may affect the outer nickel-copper layer, the copper core, or the bonding interface between them. Results range from a small flap lifting from the surface to large sections separating entirely.

This differs from a missing clad layer. A lamination is a localized defect; a missing clad layer is a complete bonding failure across an entire face.

Value: GreatCollections sold a 2012-D Roosevelt dime graded MS62 with an obverse lamination error for $712 in 2022. That is among the highest recorded prices for a lamination error on a modern clad dime. General market range runs $50 to $300 for most examples, with dramatic retained-flap specimens in high grades pushing significantly higher. The size of the affected area and whether the flap remains attached both influence the final price.

How to Identify: Look for areas where the metal surface peels away or has already separated, exposing a different-textured layer underneath. The edges of the lamination should appear natural — torn along alloy grain boundaries, not cut or scraped. Retained flaps still attached to the coin are more collectible and easier to authenticate. Weigh the coin: if metal has separated and fallen away, the weight will drop below 2.27 grams. Under magnification, the exposed subsurface often appears rougher or more porous than the smooth struck face surrounding it. Environmental corrosion mimics lamination visually but shows pitting, irregular discoloration, and surface porosity. Genuine laminations lift cleanly along an internal plane without the random surface degradation of corrosion. Fastest confirmation: if the peeling follows an internal plane with natural fracture boundaries and the exposed metal shows consistent texture, it is a lamination error.

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11. 2012 Dime Broad Strike Error (Up to $720)

Broad strikes occur when the planchet sits outside the retaining collar during striking. Without the collar constraining the metal, the planchet spreads outward under die pressure, producing a coin wider and thinner than standard specifications.

All design elements remain fully struck — the coin simply expands beyond its intended boundary. The reeded edge disappears because the collar is what creates those 118 grooves during normal striking.

A broad strike Roosevelt dime is immediately noticeable: oversized, smooth-edged, and slightly distorted in shape. The visual impact is dramatic and obvious even without magnification.

Value: GreatCollections sold a 2012-P Roosevelt dime graded MS64 with a broad strike error for $720 in 2020. Broad strikes on modern Roosevelt dimes generally trade between $150 and $600 depending on how dramatically oversized the coin measures. The absence of reeding combined with the expanded diameter makes these visually striking errors that photograph well for auction listings, which helps drive competitive bidding.

How to Identify: Measure the coin with digital calipers. A standard Roosevelt dime is 17.91mm in diameter, and broad strikes exceed that — sometimes reaching 19 to 20mm or more. The edge will be completely smooth with no reeding because the collar was not engaged during striking. All design elements should be fully present and properly struck with normal detail. The difference is entirely in the coin’s physical dimensions and edge profile. Weigh the coin: it should still approximate 2.27 grams since no metal is lost, just spread outward. Post-mint flattening damages design details; broad strikes preserve full relief. Fastest confirmation: if the diameter exceeds 17.91mm, the edge is smooth, and all design elements show full detail, it is a broad strike.

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12. 2012 Dime Off-Center Strike Error (Up to $845)

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet is not properly seated before the dies close. The design lands off to one side, leaving a crescent of blank planchet visible on the opposite edge.

The percentage of misalignment determines value. A 5% shift is barely noticeable; a 25% shift leaves a dramatic blank zone missing a quarter of the design.

The date must remain visible for the coin to be collectible. Without it, the dime cannot be attributed to 2012, and unattributable errors sell for a fraction of dated examples regardless of how dramatic they look.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2012-P Roosevelt dime graded MS63 with a 25% off-center strike for $845 in 2021. Minor off-center strikes of 5-10% bring $30 to $100. Moderate examples at 15-25% trade for $200 to $500. Major strikes above 25% with a visible date routinely exceed $600 on modern clad dimes. The more dramatic the misalignment, the steeper the premium climbs.

How to Identify: Look for a blank crescent-shaped area on one side of the coin with the design pushed toward the opposite edge. The blank zone shows raw planchet surface with no design. Estimate the off-center percentage by gauging how much of the normal design area is missing. The struck portion should show sharp detail — the die worked correctly, just not in the right position. Weigh the coin: it should still register 2.27 grams since no metal is absent, only misaligned. Post-mint damage that removes design creates tool marks and uneven surfaces. Genuine off-center strikes have clean smooth blank areas matching the original planchet texture. Fastest confirmation: if the coin weighs 2.27 grams and has a smooth blank crescent alongside sharp detail on the struck portion, it is an off-center strike.

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13. 2012 Dime Wrong Planchet Error (Up to $845)

Wrong planchet errors occur when a planchet intended for one denomination accidentally enters the press running dies for another. A dime design struck on a nickel planchet produces a coin oversized and overweight for a dime but carrying the Roosevelt design.

The reverse also happens — a cent planchet sneaking into a dime press. These errors require a blank from one hopper to migrate into the wrong coining press, which modern quality controls make increasingly rare.

The mismatch in size, weight, and sometimes composition makes these immediately obvious once someone weighs or measures the coin.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2012-D Roosevelt dime graded MS63 struck on a wrong planchet for $845 in 2020. Wrong planchet errors on modern coins generally trade between $300 and $1,500 depending on the denomination mismatch and grade. A dime struck on a cent planchet shows copper color and reduced weight; a dime on a nickel planchet shows increased size and weight. Both combinations command strong premiums.

How to Identify: Weight and diameter are the primary diagnostics. A normal Roosevelt dime weighs 2.27 grams and measures 17.91mm. A dime struck on a cent planchet weighs approximately 2.50 grams (zinc) or 3.11 grams (copper) and may show copper coloring. A dime struck on a nickel planchet weighs 5.00 grams and measures 21.21mm — dramatically larger and heavier. The coin carries the full Roosevelt dime design but on the wrong physical blank. Check the edge: a dime on a nickel planchet has a smooth edge rather than reeding because nickel planchets lack the reeding collar setup. Compare the coin’s weight and diameter to published specifications for all denominations. Fastest confirmation: if the coin carries the Roosevelt dime design but the weight and diameter match a different denomination, it is a wrong planchet error.

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14. 2012 Dime No Reeded Edge Error (Up to $1,200)

Roosevelt dimes are struck with 118 reeds — vertical grooves pressed into the edge by the collar die during striking. A no reeded edge error produces a dime with a completely smooth edge, as though the collar failed to engage entirely.

This differs from a broad strike, which expands the diameter because the planchet escapes the collar entirely. A no-reed error maintains normal diameter — the collar contained the planchet but failed to impress grooves.

The mechanism likely involves a worn collar die. The result is a dime that feels wrong the moment you roll it between your fingers.

Value: A collector at a 2020 online auction paid $1,200 for a 2012-D Roosevelt dime graded MS64 with a no reeded edge error. That is the highest documented price for any single 2012 dime error to date. General market range for smooth-edge Roosevelt dimes sits between $400 and $1,000, with higher grades and a complete uniform absence of reeding commanding the top end of that range.

How to Identify: Roll the coin slowly between your thumb and finger. A normal Roosevelt dime has a distinctly grooved edge; a no-reed error feels completely smooth. Use a loupe to confirm the edge is uniformly smooth rather than showing partially worn or flattened reeds. Measure the diameter: it should be approximately 17.91mm. If the diameter is noticeably larger, you likely have a broad strike instead. Be cautious of coins where someone has filed or ground down the reeds to simulate this error. Filed edges show tool marks, directional scratches, and a matte finish under magnification. Genuine no-reed errors have a smooth uniform edge with the same surface quality as a freshly struck coin. Fastest confirmation: if the edge is completely smooth, the diameter is normal at 17.91mm, and no filing marks appear under magnification, it is a no reeded edge error.

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Conclusion

The 2012 Roosevelt dime error range spans from $20 clipped planchets to the $1,200 smooth-edge specimen that tops this list. Most errors fall between $50 and $400, with laminations, broad strikes, and off-center strikes offering the best mix of collectibility and return.

A digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams, calipers, and a 10x loupe cover every diagnostic described above. Those three tools and some patience are enough to sort genuine errors from pocket damage.