Rare 2016 Dime Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

A 2016-P Roosevelt dime with a broad struck error sold at GreatCollections in 2020 for $415. The complete 2016 dime error list covers 10 distinct mint mistakes, with values running from $10 die chips to a three-figure broadstrike missing its entire reeded edge. Philadelphia and Denver produced nearly three billion dimes that year, and almost all of them are worth face value. But a small number came off the presses wrong — here’s every documented error, sorted by value, with auction records and how to spot each one.

1. 2016 Dime Die Chip Error (Up to $80)

Die chips form when small fragments break off the striking die’s surface. Metal fills the void and transfers as a raised blob onto every coin the damaged die strikes.

Chips develop most often where the die experiences the greatest stress — Roosevelt’s jawline, the torch flames, inside letter loops, and the high-relief areas of LIBERTY. On 2016 dimes, chips on both the obverse and reverse of the same coin are documented and bring higher prices than single-side examples. Size and placement matter more than the error itself — a chip plugging the loop of an “R” in LIBERTY is more collectible than one hiding in open field near the rim.

Value: In 2020, Heritage Auctions sold a 2016-P dime graded MS60 with die chip errors on both the obverse and reverse for $80. Single-side chips on circulated coins trade for $10–$30 on eBay. Larger chips on Roosevelt’s face or blocking prominent letters push $30–$50 in uncirculated grades. Dual-side chips on a single coin, like the Heritage example, consistently bring a premium over single-side specimens.

How to Identify: Use a 5x loupe and scan for raised, irregular metal blobs that don’t belong to the original design. Die chips look like smooth, rounded bumps sitting on top of the portrait, letters, or field.

Compare your coin to a normal 2016 dime side by side. Any extra raised material that doesn’t match the standard design warrants a closer look. Check both sides — dual-side chips are less common and worth more.

The key distinction is from post-mint damage. Die chips are raised with smooth, rounded surfaces. Contact marks from other coins look scratched, gouged, or flat. Run your fingernail across the suspect area — if it catches upward, that’s raised metal from the die. Fastest confirmation: smooth raised blob with the same luster as the surrounding coin.

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2. 2016 Dime Die Crack Error (Up to $100)

Die cracks form when the steel die fractures from repeated stress and heat cycles. Metal fills the fracture and transfers onto each coin as a thin raised line across the surface.

With nearly three billion dimes struck in 2016, die fatigue was inevitable. Cracks run in any direction and appear on either side. On the reverse, cracks crossing the torch or cutting through ONE DIME create distinctive visual patterns. On the obverse, a crack running across Roosevelt’s face commands the highest premiums. Late-stage cracks that develop into cuds — where a chunk of the die edge breaks away entirely — are a related but separately valued category.

Value: No specific 2016 dime die crack has sold as a major auction headline lot. Small peripheral cracks add $10–$30. Dramatic cracks through major design elements on uncirculated coins reach $50–$100. Cracks on both obverse and reverse from the same die pair push prices further. A crack bisecting Roosevelt’s face in MS65 condition would comfortably hit the top of this range.

How to Identify: Look for thin, raised lines running across the coin’s surface. Die cracks sit above the metal, not into it. Run your fingernail perpendicular across a suspected line — it should catch upward.

Use a loupe to trace the crack’s full length. Die cracks follow irregular, jagged paths — not straight lines. Check both sides, since dual-sided cracks bring the highest prices.

If the crack reaches the rim and a chunk of the die has broken away leaving a raised blob, that’s a cud — listed separately above. Don’t confuse die cracks with scratches, which cut into the surface and show metal displacement. Die cracks are raised with clean, consistent edges. Fastest confirmation: raised irregular line you can feel with a fingernail.

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3. 2016 Dime Rim Cud Error (Up to $100)

A rim cud forms when a chunk of the die’s edge breaks away completely. Metal flows into the void during striking and creates a raised, blob-like bump along the coin’s rim.

Cuds are die cracks taken to their endpoint — a piece of the die is gone, not just fractured. On 2016 dimes, cuds have been documented at various rim positions on both sides. Size varies from barely noticeable nubs to large lumps that encroach on nearby lettering. Cuds overlapping LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or the date attract the most collector interest because the visual disruption to a recognizable design element makes the error immediately obvious.

Value: In 2017, a 2016-P dime graded MS63 with a rim cud error sold at an online auction for $100. Small cuds on circulated dimes trade for $15–$40. Larger cuds obscuring nearby design elements push $50–$100 in uncirculated grades. The cud’s size and proximity to prominent lettering or design features together determine where the price falls within that range.

How to Identify: Run your finger along the rim. A cud feels like a raised bump that disrupts the smooth edge. Genuine cuds have a flat, smooth top — they formed under thousands of pounds of striking pressure.

Post-mint damage looks rough, jagged, and irregular. Check the design elements near the cud — letters or portrait features adjacent to the break often appear weakened or distorted because the broken die couldn’t apply full pressure in that zone.

Examine the opposite side directly behind the cud. A slight depression or weakness in the reverse design at the corresponding position helps confirm it. Don’t confuse with contact marks, which create random dings without any weakened design nearby. Fastest confirmation: smooth flat-topped bump at the rim with weakened design adjacent.

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4. 2016 Dime Doubled Die Error (Up to $100)

A doubled die occurs when the hub impresses its design onto the working die at slightly different positions during manufacturing. Every coin struck by that die carries the same overlapping design.

On this particular 2016-D example, the doubling appeared on both the date “2016” and the “D” mint mark — a combination that’s less common than doubling on just the lettering or portrait. Date-and-mintmark doubling is easy for beginners to spot because the reference points are small, isolated elements. The doubling reads as a visible shadow or secondary outline around each digit and the “D,” which stands out against the relatively plain field surrounding them.

Value: In 2017, GreatCollections sold a 2016-D dime graded MS63 with a doubled die error on the date and mint mark for $100. Minor doubled dies on circulated dimes trade for $25–$50. Strong doubling visible under low magnification on uncirculated coins pushes toward $75–$100. What drives the price is visibility — bold doubling you can see at 5x beats subtle doubling that requires 20x to confirm.

How to Identify: Use at least 10x magnification. On this variety, check the date “2016” digit by digit and the “D” mint mark for secondary outlines. The doubling appears as a shadow or second impression offset from the primary design.

True hub doubling shows rounded, separated secondary images with depth. The critical trap is machine doubling — extremely common on modern dimes — which creates flat, shelf-like shadows pushed uniformly to one side of all raised elements.

Machine doubling affects everything in the same direction. A genuine doubled die shows doubling at specific diagnostic points only. Also check LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for additional doubling — some 2016 DDO varieties show it across multiple obverse elements. Fastest confirmation: rounded secondary images with depth at the date and mint mark, not flat uniform shadows.

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5. 2016 Dime Off-Center Strike with Tilted Collar Error (Up to $130)

This coin carries two errors from a single press event. First, the planchet wasn’t properly seated, so the die struck off-center — leaving a crescent of blank metal. Second, the collar was tilted, adding a partial collar step along the edge.

Each error alone would be collectible. Together on one coin, they document a press that was malfunctioning in multiple ways simultaneously. The off-center portion shows blank planchet where design should be, while the tilted collar created an uneven edge with reeding on one section and an expanded lip on another. Combined errors like this are less common than either defect individually.

Value: In 2019, Heritage Auctions sold a 2016-P dime graded MS60 with an off-center and tilted collar combination error for $130. Standalone off-center dimes under 10% trade for $20–$50. Standalone partial collars bring $30–$75. The combination of both errors on a single coin pushed this example above either category’s typical range. Date visibility on the off-center portion matters — “2016” was still readable here.

How to Identify: Look for two distinct features on one coin. First, a crescent of blank metal where the design should be — that’s the off-center component. Second, an uneven edge with a visible step or lip — that’s the tilted collar.

Check the edge with a loupe. Part of the rim should show normal reeding (118 reeds on a standard dime), while another section will show a smooth, expanded area where the coin escaped the collar. Use calipers — the expanded section will measure wider than 17.91mm.

Don’t confuse with a simple off-center strike, which has no edge anomaly, or a standalone partial collar, which has no blank crescent. This error shows both. Fastest confirmation: blank planchet crescent plus a visible step between reeded and smooth edge sections on the same coin.

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6. 2016 Dime Feeder Finger Error (Up to $135)

Feeder fingers are mechanical arms inside the press that position each blank planchet onto the collar before striking. After placing the blank, they retract. When a finger doesn’t pull back fast enough, the die strikes both the planchet and the lingering finger.

The result is a set of parallel horizontal lines pressed into the coin’s surface — evenly spaced grooves that look deliberate and mechanical. On this 2016-D example, the lines crossed Roosevelt’s portrait on the obverse. Feeder finger errors are under-recognized by casual collectors, which means prices haven’t inflated the way they have for more familiar error types.

Value: In 2019, Heritage Auctions sold a 2016-D dime graded MS64 with a feeder finger error for $135. The MS64 grade and well-defined lines drove that price. Less prominent examples on lower-grade coins sell for $20–$60. Feeder finger errors with faint lines that require magnification rarely clear $30. The more visible and extensive the line pattern, the higher it brings.

How to Identify: Look for a set of parallel, evenly spaced lines running horizontally across the coin’s surface. These are distinct from random circulation scratches, which go in multiple directions with varying depth.

The lines usually appear on one side only, most often the obverse. Check that they’re uniform in both depth and spacing — random handling scratches won’t be.

Confirm the lines were pressed in during minting rather than scraped on afterward. Post-mint scratches cut through raised and recessed areas unevenly. Feeder finger marks sit at a consistent depth because they were impressed under full striking pressure. Fastest confirmation: parallel, evenly spaced horizontal lines on one side, with uniform depth across the pattern.

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7. 2016 Dime Missing Clad Layer Error (Up to $155)

Roosevelt dimes are three-layer coins — a copper core between two outer skins of 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy. When contaminants prevent proper bonding at the strip mill, one or both outer layers can separate before the blank is punched.

The exposed copper core gives the affected side a vivid reddish-brown color that stands out immediately. On this 2016-D example, one face showed the normal silver tone while the other exposed the copper underneath. The design on the copper side often appears weak because the thinner planchet couldn’t fill the die cavities fully. Missing clad errors are visually dramatic without any magnification — the color contrast sells itself.

Value: In 2017, Heritage Auctions sold a 2016-D dime graded MS63 with a missing clad layer error for $155. Circulated examples with smaller exposed copper areas trade for $20–$75. Certified coins in MS63–MS66 range from $75–$200 depending on the extent of the missing layer. Dual missing clad — both sides showing copper — is exceptionally rare and would command well above $200.

How to Identify: Color is the first clue. One or both sides will appear copper — brassy orange to dark brown — instead of the normal silver tone.

Weigh it. This is the make-or-break test. A standard dime weighs 2.27 grams. A coin missing one clad layer comes in around 1.8–2.0 grams. If your copper-colored dime weighs the full 2.27 grams, it’s almost certainly acid-treated — a post-mint alteration worth face value. Use a digital scale accurate to 0.01g.

Check the rim for an abnormally thin profile or absent cladding band. Examine the opposite side — the design should look weak where the thinner planchet couldn’t fill the die. Fastest confirmation: copper color plus weight well below 2.27 grams.

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8. 2016 Dime Struck Through Grease Error (Up to $250)

A struck-through error happens when foreign material gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. Grease — press lubricant pooling in the die’s recessed areas — is the most common cause.

The result is a smooth, blank patch where design detail should be. On 2016 dimes, grease fills most often affect Roosevelt’s hair detail on the obverse or the torch and branch details on the reverse. Small grease fills are extremely common. What makes this particular 2016-D example unusual is the scope — the grease fill covered a large portion of the obverse, obliterating a significant section of Roosevelt’s portrait. That kind of dramatic coverage drives a price far above the $10–$30 typical for minor fills.

Value: In 2020, a 2016-D dime graded MS60 with a large obverse grease strike-through sold on eBay for $250. That price is high for a grease fill and reflects the unusually large affected area. Small fills on circulated coins trade for $5–$25. Moderate fills covering a significant design element push $30–$75 in uncirculated grades. Only dramatic, large-area fills like this example reach the $100+ range.

How to Identify: Look for a localized area where the design appears weak, mushy, or entirely absent — a smooth blank zone surrounded by otherwise normal detail. The boundaries should be relatively sharp, not a gradual fade.

Grease fills produce featureless, smooth patches without texture. Don’t confuse with circulation wear — strike-throughs affect a specific localized area while wear spreads evenly across all high points. On Roosevelt dimes, check the hair detail above the ear and the torch flames — these are the most common grease fill locations.

The blank area should be completely smooth, not rough or pitted. Fastest confirmation: sharply defined smooth zone surrounded by normal strike quality on all sides.

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9. 2016 Dime Retained Strike-Through Error (Up to $365)

A retained strike-through is the premium version of a standard strike-through. Instead of the foreign object falling away after the strike, it stays physically embedded in the coin’s surface.

That trapped material — whether it’s a metal shaving, a piece of wire, cloth fiber, or something else entirely — becomes permanent evidence of what went wrong. Standard strike-throughs leave only an impression; retained examples leave the actual object. On this 2016-D example, the foreign material remained stuck to the coin after striking, visible to the naked eye. The physical proof embedded in the surface is what separates a $365 retained strike-through from a $30 grease fill.

Value: In 2020, a 2016-D dime graded MS63 with a retained strike-through error sold on eBay for $365. The retained foreign object was the key to that price — physical proof beats an impression every time. Standard (non-retained) strike-throughs on 2016 dimes trade for $5–$50 depending on the size of the affected area. Retained examples jump to $100–$365 because the evidence is still sitting right there on the coin.

How to Identify: Look for foreign material physically stuck to the coin’s surface. It may appear as a small metallic fragment, a fiber, or an unidentifiable embedded object. The area around the retained object will show disturbed design — weak or incomplete details where the foreign material blocked the die.

Use a loupe to examine the embedded material closely. It should sit at or slightly above the coin’s surface, pressed into place during striking. The surrounding design will show the impression of the object — a shadow or outline matching its shape.

Don’t confuse with post-mint contamination stuck to the surface. Retained strike-throughs are pressed flush into the metal under striking pressure; debris that landed on the coin after minting sits loosely on top and can usually be dislodged. Fastest confirmation: foreign material physically embedded in the surface with matching design disruption around it.

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10. 2016 Dime Broad Struck Error (Up to $415)

A broad strike occurs when the collar die — the steel ring that contains the planchet and forms the reeded edge — fails or is absent. Without the collar, the planchet spreads outward under the die’s pressure.

The coin comes out visibly wider than normal with a completely smooth edge — all 118 reeds gone. Despite the larger diameter, broad struck dimes retain the full obverse and reverse design, just slightly stretched outward. That symmetrical expansion with complete design detail is what separates a broadstrike from an off-center error, where parts of the design go missing. The smooth edge on a coin that should have reeding is the single most obvious visual giveaway.

Value: In 2020, GreatCollections auctioned a 2016-P dime graded MS62 with a broad struck error for $415 — the highest confirmed price for any individual 2016 dime error. Less dramatic broadstrikes on circulated coins sell for $50–$150. Minor examples with barely detectable expansion trade for $10–$25. Grade and visual drama together determine the price — the wider the coin and the sharper the retained design, the higher it brings.

How to Identify: Size is the giveaway. Hold a suspected broadstrike next to a normal dime — the broadstrike will be visibly wider. Confirm with calipers: anything over the standard 17.91mm is a flag.

Check the edge. A normal dime has 118 reeds around its circumference. A broad struck dime has a completely smooth edge with zero reeding. This is the fastest visual confirmation — the missing reeds are instantly obvious.

The design on both sides should be complete. If parts are missing, it’s an off-center error instead. Weigh it: should still be 2.27 grams since the same planchet was used. Watch for coins flattened by dryers or vises — those show uneven spreading, scratches, and damaged detail. A genuine broadstrike expands symmetrically and retains sharp features. Fastest confirmation: smooth edge with zero reeding, expanded diameter, full design.

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Conclusion

The 2016 dime error spectrum runs from $10 die chips at the low end to a $415 broad struck that tops the year’s auction records. The middle tier is occupied by feeder finger errors, missing clad layers, and a $365 retained strike-through — all with Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections documentation. The smooth-edge test on broadstrikes and the weight test on missing clad layers are the two fastest checks you can run on a 2016 dime. A digital scale, a 10x loupe, and a pair of calipers handle the rest.