1915 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 1915 dime is one of the final issues of the Barber dime series, a coin that circulated across America for nearly 25 years before the Mercury design took over in late 1916. Only two mints produced it that year, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

That short window is a big reason why the 1915 Dime value can swing so widely today. Condition and mint mark do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to price.

A 1915 no mint mark dime in Good condition sits around $11.40, while the same coin in Mint State climbs to roughly $341.67. The scarcer 1915-S pushes higher, reaching about $876.67 in MS grades.

Some 1915 dimes are worth a few dollars, and others command four-figure prices once proof and cameo examples enter the picture.

 

1915 Dime Value By Variety

The 1915 dime comes in a few different forms, and each one sits at its own price level. Where the coin was struck and how it was made both shape what collectors will pay.

The chart below lays out the four main varieties side by side. 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 1915 Dime Worth Money

The 1915 dime market has a clear pecking order, and the top of that list is dominated by cameo proofs and high-grade San Francisco coins. Everything else falls into tiers underneath.

The single highest result belongs to a PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC example that sold through Legend Rare Coin Auctions for $23,500. No other 1915 dime has come close to that figure, which says a lot about how rare top cameo preservation really is for this final-year proof.

San Francisco coins anchor the next tier. A 1915-S MS67 CAC reached $11,750 at Legend, and the gap between MS66 and MS67 grades here is unusually steep compared to most Barber dime dates.

Regular proofs sit in the middle of the list. PR67 and PR66 results generally land in the four-figure range, reflecting steady type-set demand without the premium that cameos pull in.

Philadelphia business strikes fill out the lower tiers. Even MS67 examples stay well under the San Francisco record, with a confirmed Heritage sale at $2,938 illustrating where the top Philly market caps out.

The pattern across the whole list is simple. Cameo and high-grade branch-mint coins are what pull real money, while everything else trades on condition alone.

 

History Of The 1915 Dime

The 1915 dime sits near the very end of the Barber dime story. The series began in 1892, created by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber after a public design competition failed to produce a usable replacement for the aging Seated Liberty dime.

Barber’s design then served American commerce for more than two decades without major changes. By 1915, though, the Mint was already preparing something new.

That year turned out to be the last full year of Barber dime production. The Mercury dime would take over late in 1916, making 1915 a quiet transition point in U.S. coinage.

Only two facilities struck dimes that year, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Denver produced none, which is a big reason the 1915-S has always drawn extra attention from Barber dime specialists.

The timing also carried historical weight. 1915 fell during the early years of World War I, when silver coinage was still trusted and used heavily in everyday transactions.

That steady use left its mark on the surviving population. Worn 1915 dimes are common today, but examples that escaped circulation in top condition remain genuinely scarce, which shapes much of the coin’s value story in the modern market.

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

 

Is Your 1915 Dime Rare?

The chart above points to which 1915 dimes are generally harder to find, but your own coin may tell a sharper story. Our Coin Value Checker App pulls in grading and population data to show where your specific piece lands on the rarity scale.

 

Key Features Of The 1915 Dime

Before looking at values and grading, it helps to know what a genuine 1915 dime actually looks like in hand. Each detail on the coin, from the portrait to the edge, plays a role in how collectors authenticate and grade it today.

The sections below walk through the design choices and physical traits that define this final-era Barber issue.

The Obverse Of The 1915 Dime

The obverse carries the classic Liberty Head portrait designed by Charles E. Barber. Liberty faces right, wearing a Phrygian cap paired with a laurel wreath.

A small headband sits across her forehead with the word “LIBERTY” inscribed on it. Reading all the letters of “LIBERTY” is a key marker graders still use to judge wear on circulated pieces.

The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim, while the date “1915” sits centered at the bottom, just below Liberty’s neckline. A tiny “B,” Barber’s initial, appears on the truncation of the neck for collectors who look closely.

One thing worth noting is that the Barber dime obverse does not carry the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”. That motto appears on the Barber quarter and half dollar, but it was omitted from the dime throughout the entire series.

The Reverse Of The 1915 Dime

The reverse uses a wreath design adapted from the earlier Seated Liberty dime. It features a mix of corn, wheat, maple leaves, and oak leaves tied together at the bottom with a small bow.

Inside the wreath are the words “ONE DIME” stacked on two lines, marking the denomination in clear block letters. No eagle appears on the reverse, since federal law at the time did not allow one on the dime.

The mint mark, if present, sits just below the wreath’s bow. A 1915 dime from Philadelphia carries no mint mark at all, while the San Francisco issue shows a small “S” in that spot.

Reverse details like the corn kernels and the ribbon folds are often the first areas to soften from wear, which makes them useful for separating lower grades from higher ones.

Other Features Of The 1915 Dime

Beyond the designs, the 1915 dime shares the same physical specs as every other coin in the Barber series. It was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a bright appearance that tones beautifully over time.

The coin weighs 2.5 grams and measures 17.9 mm across, making it roughly the same size as modern dimes. The edge is reeded, featuring 118 small vertical grooves along the rim.

That reeded edge was originally added as an anti-counterfeiting feature, since it made shaving silver off the coin much harder to hide. On a genuine 1915 dime, the reeds should be even and sharp, not soft or missing in patches.

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

 

1915 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1915 dime has two main circulation strikes, with the Philadelphia issue leading at 5,620,000 pieces while the San Francisco issue sits much lower at 960,000. That gap is the single biggest reason 1915-S coins command stronger prices in most grades today.

Survival numbers tell the more important part of the story. Only about 20,000 Philadelphia dimes are estimated to remain, a survival rate of roughly 0.36%. The 1915-S comes in even lower at around 7,500 pieces, though its survival rate is slightly higher at 0.78%.

Collector versions were far scarcer from the start. Just 450 examples were struck as proofs, with the rarer cameo finish making up a small share of that figure.

Survival for the regular proofs is unusually strong, with roughly 400 still accounted for today. Cameo totals are harder to pin down, which is exactly why top-grade cameos sit near the summit of every 1915 dime auction list.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1915 Dime Value

The real value of a 1915 dime comes down to a few key checkpoints. Start with the mint mark below the wreath on the reverse, since a plain Philadelphia coin and a 1915-S sit at very different price levels.

Next, look closely at the word “LIBERTY” on the headband. If every letter is sharp and fully readable, your coin likely sits in a higher circulated grade, which pushes the value up.

Checking the wreath, rim, and overall luster will give you a solid first read before any paid appraisal. For a faster estimate, our Coin Value Checker App handles the work through AI photo recognition, matching your coin against real market data in seconds.

 

1915 Dime Value Guides

The 1915 dime exists in a handful of distinct forms, and each one carries its own story in the collector market. Some are affordable in almost any condition, while others trade for thousands of dollars when they appear in top grades.

Before looking at exact prices, it helps to see the full list of what was made that year. The following categories cover every version a collector is likely to encounter:

• 1915 No Mint Mark Dime — the Philadelphia issue, widely available today
• 1915-S Dime — the scarcer San Francisco branch-mint strike
• 1915 Proof Dime — a small run made for collectors, with mirrored surfaces
• 1915 CAM Dime — a rare cameo variety of the proof issue

Each of these sits at a different value tier, driven mostly by survival rates, original finish, and eye appeal. Higher grades can move prices dramatically, especially for the San Francisco and cameo examples, which is where the biggest premiums tend to show up.

 

1915 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The Philadelphia 1915 dime is the most accessible version of the year. In Good condition, it sits around $11.40, and a AU50 example trades for about $80.

Most surviving coins fall in the circulated range, so pricing stays friendly at the entry level. Things change quickly once you step into Mint State.

At MS65, values move into 450, and the jump from MS66 to MS67 is where the market really opens up. A Heritage Auctions sale set the top benchmark at $2,938 for an MS67 example.

Strike quality tends to be a strong point for this issue. Philadelphia dimes from 1915 usually show crisp details and bright luster, which makes pieces with attractive toning especially worth hunting.

Look for coins with a fully readable headband and unbroken rims. Those two details alone often push a borderline coin into a higher grade bracket.

A look at recent sales for the 1915 Philadelphia dime shows how grade shifts the market, with most top-tier activity clustering around MS66 and MS67 pieces.

Here is how collector interest in this coin has moved over the past year.

 

1915-S Dime Value

The 1915-S is where Barber dime specialists start paying close attention. It was the second-to-last S-Mint Barber dime ever struck, and that alone gives it a special place in completed sets.

In everyday circulated grades, the coin stays reasonably priced. Fine examples sit near $79.33, while AU pieces climb to roughly $275.

Supply is surprisingly decent through MS65 because numismatists set many aside at the time of issue. MS66 is where scarcity really kicks in.

The true condition rarity sits at MS67, and only three PCGS-certified example exists at that level, formerly part of the Simpson Collection. An MS67 CAC piece sold through Legend Rare Coin Auctions for $11,750 back in December 2014.

That single sale still anchors the top of the 1915-S market today. For anyone building a high-grade Barber dime set, the 1915-S MS66+ tier is usually the budget-maker.

The list of realized prices for the 1915-S tells a clear story about its scarcity in high grades, especially above MS66.

The graph tracks collector engagement with the 1915-S across recent months.

 

1915 Proof Dime Value

Only 450 proofs left the Philadelphia Mint in 1915, making it the final proof issue of the entire Barber dime series. That closing-chapter status drives most of its demand today.

Quality-wise, the coin is known for mirror-like fields and razor-sharp strike. Pieces without cameo contrast still carry strong value.

A non-cameo example in PR60 level preservation runs around $375, while stronger proofs move into four figures fast. A solid PR67 is where the jump really shows, with recent PR67 CAC pieces realizing near $7,931.

Eye appeal matters enormously in this category. Original mirrors, clean fields, and light pastel toning tend to separate a standard proof from a standout one.

Because this was the last year of Barber proof production, type collectors often target the 1915 specifically to finish their 19th and early 20th century proof type sets. That pressure keeps prices firm even in softer markets.

Results from recent proof sales give a solid read on where PR65 through PR67 pieces are trading in today’s market.

Take a look at how interest in this final-year Barber proof has trended lately.

 

1915 CAM Dime Value

Cameo 1915 proofs are the true prize of the date. Only a small share of the 450 proofs were struck with the frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields that earn the CAM designation today.

Values start where regular proofs leave off. A PR66 CAM has traded around $7,000, already putting it well above most non-cameo pieces.

At the top of the market, the auction record sits at $23,500 for a PR67+ CAM CAC example sold by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. That result holds the highest price ever paid for any 1915 dime.

The CAM designation itself is hard to earn on a 1915 proof, since the final-year dies were already heavily used by the time these coins were struck. Strong frost on Liberty’s portrait paired with glassy reflective fields is the combination graders look for.

Pieces that also pick up a CAC sticker tend to lead the market, as seen in the $23,500 record. Raw or uncertified CAM candidates are worth approaching carefully, since genuine cameo contrast on this issue is genuinely scarce.

Cameo 1915 sales are less frequent than standard proofs, but the ones that do surface carry clear weight in the market.

Recent collector attention on the 1915 CAM has followed the pattern shown below.

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

 

Rare 1915 Dime Error List

Error coins from the Barber dime series are uncommon, and 1915 is no exception. The final full year of production did not generate many dramatic mint mistakes, but a handful of documented errors and one notable variety are worth looking for.

The pieces below carry real collector demand when they surface, though values depend heavily on how visible and dramatic the error actually is on a given coin.

1. 1915-S/S Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) Error

This is the one widely recognized die variety for the 1915 date. It shows up only on the San Francisco issue, where the mint mark punch struck the working die twice in slightly offset positions.

On the coin itself, a secondary “S” sits just above the primary “S” beneath the wreath bow. The doubling is subtle and usually takes 5x or 10x magnification to confirm.

Most circulated examples trade at a modest premium over a standard 1915-S. Clean Mint State pieces with strong, clearly visible doubling can command noticeably more when they reach specialist auctions.

Variety collectors often cross-reference Kevin Flynn’s “The Authoritative Reference on Barber Dimes” when attributing these, since it remains one of the standard guides for Barber dime RPMs.

2. 1915 Dime Off-Center Strike Error

An off-center strike happens when the planchet sits off-axis between the dies at the moment of impact. Part of the coin’s design ends up missing, and a blank crescent of metal shows on the opposite side.

The value of this error depends almost entirely on two things. The percentage that is off-center, and whether the full date is still visible on what remains.

Coins that are 5% to 10% off tend to bring small premiums over the base grade. More dramatic examples in the 15% to 25% range with a clear date can realize $200 to $1,000 or more at auction.

These errors are genuinely uncommon on Barber dimes, partly because quality control at the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints was tighter by 1915 than in earlier decades of U.S. coining.

3. 1915 Dime Lamination Error

Lamination errors come from problems in the silver-copper planchet itself, not the dies. Impurities or gas pockets trapped in the rolled metal cause thin layers to peel or flake off the coin’s surface after striking.

On a 1915 dime, a lamination flaw usually looks like a raised sliver or a patchy depression, often running across Liberty’s portrait or through the reverse wreath. Some are small and barely visible, while others remove sizable areas of the design.

Minor laminations typically add $20 to $50 to the coin’s base value. Larger, more dramatic examples on otherwise clean coins can push prices to $175 or higher, especially when the flaw sits in a prominent spot.

One thing to keep in mind is that lamination and post-mint damage look similar at first glance. A genuine lamination shows even metal flow around the defect, while post-mint damage does not.

4. 1915 Dime Clipped Planchet Error

A clipped planchet error happens before striking, when the metal blanking press overlaps with an area that has already been punched. The resulting planchet has a curved or straight missing section along its edge.

Genuine clips on 1915 dimes are scarce and easy to misidentify. A real clip shows the “Blakesley effect”, which is a weakness in the rim directly opposite the missing area caused by uneven metal flow during striking.

Small clips at about 5% of the planchet area typically add $10 to $40 in premium. Larger or multiple clips that still leave the date and mint mark readable can bring $80 or more, depending on grade.

Because clipped planchets are frequently faked by post-mint damage, certification through PCGS, NGC, or ANACS matters a lot. Raw examples without paperwork are usually priced conservatively in the market.

 

Where To Sell Your 1915 Dime?

Selling a 1915 dime is easier when you match the coin to the right venue. Common circulated pieces do well on eBay or through local dealers, while high-grade and certified examples usually bring stronger prices at auction houses like Heritage or GreatCollections.

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

 

1915 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1915 Dime

1. How much is a 1915 dime worth today?

The value depends on which version you have and what grade it is in. A 1915 no mint mark dime starts at around $11.40 in Good condition, while a 1915-S in the same grade sits at about $13.60.

Mint State examples push prices much higher. A 1915 Philadelphia dime in MS65 reaches around $341.67, and a 1915-S in the same grade climbs to $876.67 or more at auction.

2. Is a 1915 dime made of silver?

Yes, the 1915 dime is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. It weighs 2.5 grams and contains roughly 0.0723 troy ounces of pure silver.

That silver content gives even a worn 1915 dime a baseline melt value. Most circulated examples still trade well above melt because of their collector demand and age.

3. What does the “S” mean on a 1915 dime?

The “S” is a mint mark indicating the coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint. It appears on the reverse, just below the bow at the bottom of the wreath.

A 1915 dime with no mint mark was produced in Philadelphia. Denver struck no dimes in 1915, so you will never find a “D” on an authentic 1915 dime.

4. How rare is a 1915 proof dime?

Only 450 proof dimes were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1915, making it the final proof issue of the entire Barber dime series. About 400 of those are estimated to survive today.

Cameo versions are even scarcer. The top auction record for a 1915 CAM reached $23,500 for a PR67+ CAM CAC example at Legend Rare Coin Auctions.

5. What is the most valuable 1915 dime ever sold?

The single highest result belongs to a PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC cameo proof that sold for $23,500 through Legend Rare Coin Auctions. No other 1915 dime has come close to that figure.

For regular business strikes, the 1915-S MS67 CAC holds the top spot at $11,750, while the Philadelphia MS67 record sits at $2,938 from a Heritage Auctions sale.

6. How can I tell if my 1915 dime is in high grade?

Look first at the word “LIBERTY” on the headband above Liberty’s forehead. If all seven letters are fully sharp and readable, the coin is at least in Fine condition or higher.

Next, check the wreath on the reverse for crisp corn kernels and clean ribbon folds. Strong luster, unbroken rims, and minimal wear on Liberty’s cheek usually push a coin into the AU or Mint State range.

7. Why is the 1915-S dime worth more than the Philadelphia version?

The 1915-S had a much lower mintage of 960,000 pieces compared to 5,620,000 struck in Philadelphia. Fewer survivors exist today, with roughly 7,500 1915-S dimes accounted for versus around 20,000 Philadelphia coins.

That scarcity drives consistent premiums across every grade. In MS grades, the 1915-S typically sells for two to three times the value of a comparable Philadelphia piece.

8. Are there any known 1915 dime errors?

Yes, although 1915 is a relatively light year for errors. The one widely recognized die variety is the 1915-S/S repunched mint mark (RPM), which shows a secondary “S” slightly offset from the primary mint mark.

Other documented errors include off-center strikes, lamination flaws, and clipped planchets. Off-center strikes with a clear date can realize $200 to $1,000 or more at auction, depending on how dramatic the error is.

9. Does the 1915 dime have “IN GOD WE TRUST” on it?

No, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was not included on any Barber dime, including the 1915 issue. The motto does appear on the matching Barber quarter and half dollar from the same series.

This omission is a quick authenticity check. Any 1915 “dime” showing that motto would be either a fantasy piece or a damaged coin from a different denomination.

10. Where is the best place to sell a 1915 dime?

The right venue depends on the coin’s grade and certification. Common circulated 1915 dimes sell well on eBay or through local coin dealers, while higher-grade and PCGS or NGC certified pieces bring stronger prices at major auction houses.

Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections are the two main destinations for high-value 1915 dimes. For CAM proofs and MS66+ examples, Legend Rare Coin Auctions has a strong track record, as seen in the $23,500 and $11,750 records both set through their sales.