1908 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S”, “O” & No Mint Mark Worth

A 1908 dime is worth far more than ten cents today. This is a Barber dime, struck in 90% silver and designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber. Four different mints produced it that year, and each one carries a different collector value.

A worn example starts around $11 to $12. A well-preserved Mint State piece from New Orleans, however, can fetch over $990.

The mint mark on your coin makes a real difference. So does condition. Even small details, like a sharp strike or original luster, can push the price significantly higher.

The 1908 Dime value ranges from modest to impressive depending on a few key factors. This article walks through each variety, what grades mean in practice, and what drives prices up or down.

 

1908 Dime Value By Variety

Every 1908 dime has a mint mark story. Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco each struck their own version that year, and collectors treat them as six separate coins.

Condition matters just as much as origin. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Dimes Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1908 Dime Worth Money

High-grade 1908 dimes are genuinely scarce, and auction results since 2000 reflect that clearly.

The Philadelphia issue holds the top record for this year. An MS67-graded 1908 Philadelphia dime sold for $17,250 at Heritage Auctions in 2007, making it the single most valuable 1908 dime sold at auction. A second Philadelphia MS67 also reached $8,225, placing two examples from the same mint in the top four.

The 1908-S MS67 follows at $15,000, a strong result for a coin where MS67 examples are considered really rare, with PCGS having certified none higher.

Proof issues also feature prominently. The 1908 PR68 reached $8,225 — the same figure as the second Philadelphia MS67 — which is notable for a coin struck from a mintage of just 545 pieces.

The 1908-O and 1908-D each place one entry in the top 10, at $7,638 and $5,405 respectively. Both are four-figure results, but they reflect consistent demand for high-grade examples across all four mint varieties from this year.

 

History Of The 1908 Dime

The Barber dime has been part of American circulation since 1892. Charles E. Barber, the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver, was assigned the task after a public design competition drew no acceptable entries. His Liberty Head design went on to serve for 25 years.

By 1908, the Barber dime was well into its second decade of production. It was a mature, workhorse coin — familiar to the public and reliable for the Mint’s high-speed presses.

Denver had only joined the Barber dime’s production roster in 1906, so the 1908-D was still an early output from that facility. That same year, all four active mints — Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco — struck the dime simultaneously, which was relatively rare for the series.

For New Orleans, 1908 was one of its final years of coinage. By 1909, Treasury officials declined to fund the mint’s continued operation, effectively ending its coinage activity. The 1908-O dime was struck in the mint’s closing chapter, just one year before it shut down for good.

President Theodore Roosevelt was openly critical of Barber’s designs during this period, describing them as insipid and inferior to European coinage. Pressure for a more artistic American coinage was already building. The Barber dime would eventually be replaced by Adolph Weinman’s Mercury dime in 1916.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List (Year Chart)

 

Is Your 1908 Dime Rare?

Rarity in the Barber dime series shifts quite a bit depending on the mint and grade. A heavily worn example is common, but the same coin in high grade can be surprisingly scarce. The Coin Value Checker App makes it easy to check exactly where your coin sits on the rarity scale.

 

Key Features Of The 1908 Dime

The 1908 dime is a Barber dime, part of a series that ran from 1892 to 1916. Before looking at value or grade, it helps to know what you’re actually looking at. The design, composition, and physical details all give you useful clues when examining a coin.

The Obverse Of The 1908 Dime

The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a cap with a laurel wreath, and a headband on the wreath is inscribed with the word “LIBERTY”.

The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” wraps along the rim, and the date appears at the bottom underneath Liberty’s neck. The portrait is neoclassical in style, drawing on ancient Greco-Roman imagery that was fashionable in American design during this era.

The word “LIBERTY” on the headband is often the first area to show wear on circulated examples. On heavily worn coins, these letters can fade significantly, which is one of the key things graders look at.

The Reverse Of The 1908 Dime

The reverse features a wreath of corn, oak and maple leaves, and wheat, framing the words “ONE DIME” in the center. A bow sits at the bottom of the wreath.

The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was omitted from the dime’s design, although it appears on the Barber quarter and Barber half dollar of the same era. The smaller diameter of the dime simply left no room for it.

For coins struck outside Philadelphia, the mint mark appears on the reverse, just below the bow at the base of the wreath. This is where you’ll find the “D” for Denver, “O” for New Orleans, and “S” for San Francisco.

Other Features Of The 1908 Dime

The 1908 dime weighs 2.50 grams and measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter. The composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, with a reeded edge.

The reeded edge — those fine parallel grooves running around the rim — was a standard anti-counterfeiting measure used on silver coinage of the period. It also makes the coin easier to identify by touch.

The coin was designed by Charles E. Barber. The same Liberty Head design appeared across the dime, quarter, and half dollar, though the Barber dime is the only one in the series not to feature the heraldic eagle on its reverse.

Also Read: Top 70+ Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money (Chart By Year)

 

1908 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

In 1908, all four active U.S. mints struck the Barber dime. Philadelphia had the largest mintage at 10,600,000, followed by Denver at 7,490,000. San Francisco contributed 3,220,000, while New Orleans had the smallest business-strike mintage of the year at 1,789,000.

Combined, that is well over 23 million business-strike coins placed into circulation. Most were spent, worn down, and eventually lost.

Survival rates for the four business strikes all fall well below 1%, ranging from roughly 0.27% to 0.56%. The New Orleans issue has the smallest mintage of the four, yet its survival rate is the highest among business strikes — likely because collectors have historically paid closer attention to “O”-mint coins, especially given that the New Orleans Mint closed in 1909.

The proof issue is a different matter entirely. Only 545 proofs were struck at Philadelphia that year, and an estimated 500 are believed to have survived — a survival rate of over 91%. This is expected for proof coins, which were sold directly to collectors and deliberately preserved from the start.

The Cameo proof subset is drawn from the same 545 proofs struck that year. Not all have been evaluated for cameo contrast, so the number carrying a CAM designation remains unknown.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Coin Value (1946-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1908 Dime Value

Two things matter most when sizing up a 1908 dime’s value: the mint mark and the condition.

Flip the coin to the reverse and check below the bow of the wreath — that is where the mint mark sits. Then look at the obverse under good lighting. If the word “LIBERTY” on the headband is sharp and clear, the coin is in better shape than most survivors. The more detail that remains on Liberty’s hair and the wreath, the higher the grade is likely to be.

Most collectors start there, then cross-reference with a reliable price guide. The Coin Value Checker App takes that process a step further. Its AI photo recognition can read your coin’s details and match them against current market data in seconds.

 

1908 Dime Value Guides

The 1908 dime was struck at four different mints, and each one is valued separately by collectors. On top of that, proof issues add another layer to the picture. Here is a quick look at each variety before the detailed guides below.

• 1908 No Mint Mark Dime Value — Philadelphia’s most accessible issue; affordable in most grades
• 1908-D Dime Value — Denver strike; generally well-struck with strong eye appeal
• 1908-O Dime Value — New Orleans issue; smallest mintage of the year, strong eye appeal
• 1908-S Dime Value — San Francisco strike; commands a premium in finer grades
• 1908 Proof Dime Value — Philadelphia-only; struck for collectors with mirror-like surfaces
• 1908 CAM Dime Value — Proof with frosted devices; rarer and significantly more valuable

Mint mark and grade together drive the value of every 1908 dime. None of the four business-strike coins approach semi-key status, and all are quite affordable for virtually any collector in lower circulated grades. The gap between a worn example and a high-grade Mint State coin, however, can be substantial.

Cameo proofs are relative rarity in their own right and often trade for respectable four-figure prices. They sit at the top of the value range for this year.

 

1908 No Mint Mark Dime Value

In 1908, production at the Philadelphia Mint dropped nearly in half from the previous year, yet the mintage still came in over 10 million coins. Hundreds of Mint State examples survive, mostly in MS63 and MS64, with ample quantities at Gem grade and above.

The coin is almost always well-struck, with luster ranging from brilliant to soft and creamy. That consistency makes it easier to find a visually pleasing example at a fair price.

Circulated examples in Good condition start around $11. An MS64 carries a wholesale bid of around $315. At the top of the census, only a handful of MS67s are known — and the auction record for this date, an MS67 sold at Heritage Auctions in 2007, reached $17,250.

The Philadelphia issue also has two documented die varieties — repunched date FS-301 and FS-303. These attract variety specialists and carry modest premiums, particularly in Mint State grades.

This issue has appeared at major auction houses including Heritage Auctions and Legend Rare Coin Auctions, with results spanning a wide range of grades and prices over the years.

Market trends for this variety over the past year are captured in the chart below.

 

1908-D Dime Value

The Denver Mint was still relatively new to dime production in 1908, having only struck its first Barber dimes two years earlier in 1906. The 1908-D came through with a strong showing.

The coin is easy to obtain in most grades, including Mint State. MS67s dominate the PCGS Condition Census, with MS67+ being the finest known grade. Strike quality is generally strong. A MS66 has recently traded at $2,400, and the auction record stands at $5,405 for an MS67+.

By certified population, the 1908-D ranks as the second scarcest of the four 1908 business strikes. That relative scarcity becomes more apparent above MS65, where the number of certified examples thins out noticeably.

One aspect that makes the Denver issue particularly interesting to specialists is the mint mark placement. The “D” punch was applied by hand and shows noticeable variation across different die pairs — a detail worth examining on any example you come across.

The 1908-D has a solid auction history, with multiple high-grade examples crossing the block at many platforms across different decades.

Market activity from the past year clearly shows its appeal to collectors.

 

1908-O Dime Value

The 1908-O carries a price premium over the Philadelphia issue at every grade level. A New Orleans 1908 dime in circulated condition is valued higher than the three other mint varieties struck that year — a pattern that runs consistently throughout the Barber dime series.

In circulated grades, a Good example starts around $12. CAC-approved XF-grade examples have been trading in the $105–$140 range in recent years. That premium over a standard Philadelphia XF reflects genuine collector demand for the “O” mint mark.

The strike is usually above-average to strong, and superb examples include roughly half a dozen MS67s. An MS66 with a CAC sticker carries a wholesale bid of $1,250 according to Greysheet, and the auction record sits at $7,638 for an MS67 at Heritage Auctions in 2013.

The New Orleans Mint closed in 1909, making the 1908-O one of its final dime issues. The allure of New Orleans coinage grew significantly after the mint’s closure, as it became an obsolete facility drawing sustained collector attention. That historical context has kept demand steady at all grade levels, and shows no sign of fading.

Given its collector appeal as one of the final New Orleans dime issues, the 1908-O has generated consistent auction activity, with certified examples regularly appearing at major sales.

The market activity chart gives a clear picture of when this variety has been noticed over the past twelve months.

 

1908-S Dime Value

In Mint State, the 1908-S is readily available from MS62 through MS65. MS66 examples become scarce, and MS67s are genuinely rare — with PCGS having certified none higher. The market value range for this issue runs from under $11 in lower circulated grades up to $17,500 at the top end.

Strike quality is usually very good to strong. That consistency makes it easier to find a well-struck example in the mid-Mint State range, though eye appeal varies and cherrypicking pays off.

The auction record for an MS67 is $15,000, the second-highest result among all 1908 business strikes. One of the finest known examples once resided in the Simpson Collection, described as having white centers surrounded by gold and blue toning at the peripheries. Toned examples with strong eye appeal can command meaningful premiums above standard price guide figures.

Putting together a 1908 four-mint date set, the 1908-S is the coin that requires the most patience to source well. Finding a sharply struck, original-surface example in MS64 or MS65 at a fair price takes time — but it sits as one of the stronger entries in any 1908 set.

The 1908-S has drawn serious bidder interest at auction, particularly for Gem and Superb Gem examples — including coins from notable collections such as the Simpson Collection.

Given how thinly the population spreads above MS65, the chart below is worth watching closely for any shifts at the upper end.

 

1908 Proof Dime Value

The 1908 proof dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint exclusively for collectors, from only 545 pieces. Proof coins are minted with polished dies, producing sharp details and mirror-like surfaces — a process that demanded careful preparation of both the dies and the planchets before each striking.

On the small 17.9mm dime, achieving deep, even mirror fields without distorting Liberty’s fine hair detail was a genuine technical challenge.

A PR63 currently trades around $600, while a PR65 reaches close to $1,050. At the top of the census, the auction record is $8,225 for a PR68 at Heritage Auctions in 2014, and a PCGS PR67+ with CAC approval has been offered at $3,950.

Proof Barber dimes can usually be located when desired, but cameo and deep cameo proofs are relative rarities in their own right. For a standard proof, the 1908 issue is an accessible and well-preserved entry point into the series.

Proof Barber dimes from 1908 appear regularly at auction, with Heritage Auctions accounting for several of the most significant realized prices across the grade spectrum.

This chart reflects where standard proof examples have been trading recently, which can be a useful reference before buying or selling.

 

1908 CAM Dime Value

Within the 1908 proof series, the CAM designation sits at the top of the collecting hierarchy. These are the coins that serious Barber dime specialists actively pursue, and competition for high-grade examples is notably stronger than for standard proofs.

The Barber dime series has been covered extensively in the numismatic literature, with dedicated references by Kevin Flynn, Q. David Bowers, and David Lawrence Feigenbaum.

The CAM designation in particular attracts advanced collectors who prioritize the visual contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields — a characteristic that the series’ specialist literature treats as a separate collecting tier entirely.

A PR64 CAM has been offered at $1,150, and a PR66 example traded at $3,960. Those figures reflect a consistent premium over standard proof grades at equivalent levels — and finding a well-preserved example with strong contrast takes patience at any grade.

CAM-designated examples from 1908 surface less frequently at auction than standard proofs, and when strong examples do appear, they tend to attract competitive bidding from advanced collectors.

Because sales are relatively infrequent, the market activity chart offers one of the more useful windows into current value for this designation.

Also Read: 16 Rare Dime Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1908 Dime Error List

Error coins from this era are genuinely scarce. The 1908 Barber dime is no exception — most examples that left the Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints were standard strikes. But a small number carry documented die varieties and striking errors that attract serious collector attention. These are the ones worth knowing about.

1. 1908 Dime Repunched Date (RPD) Error

The Repunched Date error is the most widely documented variety across the entire 1908 dime lineup. It occurred because date digits were hand-punched individually into working dies — and occasionally, a punch landed slightly off position, requiring a second strike to correct it. The remnants of the first impression remained visible in the die, and every coin struck from that die carried both sets of marks.

Kevin Flynn’s “The Authoritative Reference on Barber Dimes” is the definitive guide to these varieties, covering doubled dies, misplaced dates, repunched dates, and repunched mintmarks across the entire series.

For the 1908 issue alone, Flynn documented multiple distinct RPD varieties across all mints — a density that makes this year particularly productive for variety hunters. The Philadelphia issue has two attributed varieties: FS-301 and FS-303. The Denver issue has the most of any 1908 dime, with seven attributed RPDs running from FS-301 through FS-307.

The 1908 Philadelphia FS-301 has a documented value range of $85 to $1,100 across grades. The Denver FS-304 reaches to $500 at MS63. These premiums are modest compared to major error types, but for specialists, an attributed RPD on a well-preserved coin is a meaningful find.

2. 1908 Dime Off-Center Strike Error

An off-center strike happens when the planchet is not properly seated between the dies at the moment of striking. The result is a coin where part of the design is missing and a crescent of blank planchet is visible on one side.

For the 1908 dime, off-center examples are not formally catalogued the way RPD varieties are — each one is essentially unique depending on the degree of misalignment.

The key factor that drives value is how far off-center the strike is, and whether the date remains fully visible. Generally, a coin has to be struck at least 5% off center to register any significant value as an error coin. A dramatically misaligned example with the full date intact is far more desirable than a minor shift.

A Barber dime off-center strike at 20% or more can realistically fetch $150 to $300 or higher depending on the mint and grade. More dramatic examples — 40% or beyond with the date still visible — can push significantly higher at auction.

3. 1908 Dime Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike error occurs when the retaining collar that holds the planchet in place during striking fails to engage. Without it, the coin metal flows outward under pressure, producing a coin that is wider and flatter than normal, with a weak or missing rim.

To qualify as a true broadstrike, the full design must be present on both faces — if the design is cut off on either side, the coin is classified instead as an off-center strike. On a Barber dime, a broadstruck coin will also lack the reeded edge, since the collar is what creates the reeding during the strike. That missing edge detail is one of the clearest ways to identify this error type.

A broadstruck Barber dime in circulated condition typically trades in the $100 to $200 range, with higher-grade or more dramatic examples reaching further. The silver content adds a floor value, but the error premium is what drives collector interest above that.

 

Where To Sell Your 1908 Dime?

Selling a 1908 dime at the right price depends as much on where you list it as on the coin itself — a well-graded example placed in front of the wrong audience rarely achieves what it is worth. The right platform connects you with buyers who already know what a 1908 Barber dime is and are willing to pay accordingly.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)  

 

1908 Dime Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1908 Dime

1. How much is a 1908 dime worth today?

It depends on the mint mark and condition. A worn example in Good grade starts around $11 to $12. A well-preserved Mint State coin can reach several hundred dollars, and top-grade examples from certain mints have sold for thousands at auction.

The highest auction record for any 1908 dime is $17,250, set by a Philadelphia MS67 at Heritage Auctions in 2007. The 1908-S MS67 follows at $15,000, and the 1908-O MS67 brought $7,638.

2. How do I know which mint struck my 1908 dime?

Flip the coin to the reverse and look just below the bow at the base of the wreath. A “D” means Denver, “O” means New Orleans, and “S” means San Francisco. If there is no letter, it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Each variety is treated as a separate coin by collectors, and the mint mark has a direct impact on value. The New Orleans issue, for example, commands a premium over Philadelphia at every grade level.

3. What is the most valuable 1908 dime?

The single most valuable 1908 dime sold at auction is an MS67 from the Philadelphia Mint, which brought $17,250 at Heritage Auctions in January 2007. The 1908-S MS67 holds the second spot at $15,000, sold at Heritage Auctions in November 2017.

Among proof issues, the 1908 CAM designation produces the highest values, with examples trading between $1,150 at PR64 and over $8,000 for top-grade specimens.

4. Is a 1908 dime made of silver?

Yes. Every 1908 Barber dime is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, with a total weight of 2.50 grams. That gives each coin a silver content of approximately 0.0723 troy ounces.

The silver content sets a floor value for even the most worn examples. At current silver prices, a heavily circulated 1908 dime is worth at least its melt value, regardless of collector premium.

5. What does the 1908-O dime look like and why is it special?

The 1908-O looks identical in design to any other Barber dime, with Liberty facing right on the obverse and a wreath enclosing “ONE DIME” on the reverse. The “O” mint mark appears just below the bow on the reverse.

What makes it special is its history. The New Orleans Mint closed in 1909, making the 1908-O one of its final dime issues. That context has driven sustained collector interest, and circulated examples regularly trade at a premium over the Philadelphia issue at equivalent grades.

6. How do I grade my 1908 dime at home?

Start by looking at the word “LIBERTY” on the headband above Liberty’s forehead. If it is completely worn away, the coin grades Good. If it is faint but readable, it is Fine. If it is sharp and clear with distinct edges on the headband, you are looking at Extremely Fine or better.

For Mint State coins, look for original luster and the absence of wear on the highest points of the design, particularly Liberty’s cheek and the top of the wreath. Any trace of wear drops the coin below MS60, regardless of how much detail remains.

7. What is a 1908 dime proof and how is it different from a regular coin?

The 1908 proof dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint specifically for collectors, not for circulation. Only 545 were produced. Proof coins are made using polished dies and specially prepared planchets, which gives them deeply mirrored fields and sharper detail than business strikes.

In terms of value, a 1908 proof in PR63 trades around $600, while a PR65 reaches close to $1,050. The top auction record is $8,225 for a PR68 example sold at Heritage Auctions in 2014.

8. What is a 1908 Dime CAM and why is it worth more?

CAM stands for Cameo, a designation given to proof coins that display frosted, raised devices set against deeply mirrored fields. Not every 1908 proof qualifies — the contrast must meet specific standards to earn the designation from PCGS or NGC.

CAM examples trade at a meaningful premium over standard proofs. A PR64 CAM has been offered at $1,150, and a PR66 CAM recently traded at $3,960. Competition for high-grade CAM examples is noticeably stronger than for regular proofs at equivalent grades.

9. Are there any error coins to look for in the 1908 dime?

Yes. The most documented are Repunched Date varieties, where the date digits show ghost impressions from a misaligned first punch. The Philadelphia issue has two attributed varieties — FS-301 and FS-303 — while the Denver issue has seven, running from FS-301 through FS-307.

Off-center strikes and broadstrike errors also exist, though they are not formally catalogued. A 1908 dime struck 20% or more off-center with the date still visible can fetch $150 to $300, while a broadstruck example in circulated condition typically trades in the $100 to $200 range.

10. Should I clean my 1908 dime before selling it?

No. Cleaning a coin permanently damages the surface and reduces its value significantly. Collectors and grading services like PCGS and NGC can easily detect cleaned coins, and a cleaned example will either be rejected from certification or slabbed with a “details” designation that lowers its market value.

Even a lightly toned or dark 1908 dime with original surfaces is more desirable than a bright, cleaned one. Natural toning is considered part of the coin’s originality and is generally viewed positively by experienced collectors.