1918 Dime Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

If you’ve ever come across an old dime and wondered whether it might be worth more than ten cents, the 1918 Mercury Dime value is a great place to start. The 1918 Mercury Dime was struck during the final year of World War I, making it a small but meaningful piece of American history. As the third year of the Mercury Dime series, 1918 issues are relatively common in circulated grades but notably scarce in uncirculated condition — and that scarcity is precisely what drives collector interest today.

So what makes one 1918 dime worth more than another? Two key factors come into play: the coin’s condition and its mint mark. Coins were produced at three different facilities — Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) — and each carries its own value range. A standard 1918 No Mint Mark Dime in Good condition starts at around $7.80, while a well-preserved MS example can climb to $224.00 or higher. Step up to a Full Bands (FB) designation, and values rise even more dramatically.

Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or simply curious about a coin you found in an old jar, understanding these basics gives you a solid foundation for evaluating what you have — and what it might truly be worth.

 

1918 Dime Value By Variety

The table below breaks down the 1918 Mercury Dime value by mint mark and grade, giving you a clear picture of how condition and origin affect what each coin is worth.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1918 Dime Worth Money

The chart above tracks the highest auction results for 1918 dimes since 2001, and the gap between the top entries and the rest is significant. The 1918-D FB 67 holds the record at $182,125, followed by the 1918-S FB 67 at $144,000 — both sitting well above the remaining entries. Understanding why requires looking at what these designations actually represent.

The Full Bands (FB) designation refers to complete horizontal lines visible in the fasces bands on the reverse of the coin, indicating superior strike quality. This standard is difficult to meet under normal mint production conditions, and 1918 was no exception. The San Francisco Mint deployed 73 obverse dies and 66 reverse dies to strike over 19 million 1918-S dimes, meaning each die produced well over 277,000 impressions on average. Heavy die use led to softened strikes, and most coins came out without fully defined bands. The Denver issue faced similar challenges.

The result is a survival population that is extremely small at the top grades. Combined estimates suggest approximately 150 individual 1918-D dimes have been certified as MS65 or higher by PCGS and NGC, with only 30 designated as Full Bands. At MS67 FB — the grade that set the auction record — the population drops to a handful of known examples. Wartime circulation patterns ensured virtually none of the millions produced escaped heavy use, making high-grade survivors a product of both exceptional original striking and sheer luck of preservation.

This scarcity has a direct effect on pricing. In 2020, an MS65 without Full Bands sold for between $432 and $960, while MS65 Full Bands examples commanded $9,000 or more — a premium driven entirely by strike quality, not mintage. As grade increases, the population thins further and prices rise sharply, which explains the steep drop-off visible in the chart between the top two entries and everything below them. For collectors, the 1918 FB issues in high grade represent one of the clearest examples of condition rarity in the Mercury Dime series: coins that were common when minted, but are now nearly impossible to find in a form that meets modern grading standards.

 

History of the 1918 Dime

The 1918 Mercury Dime is part of the Winged Liberty Head series, which entered circulation on October 30, 1916. By 1916, the dime designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber had been struck for 25 years and was eligible for replacement without Congressional authorization. Mint officials held a competition among several sculptors, and Adolph Weinman’s design was selected for the dime.

Weinman’s design shows a profile of the allegorical figure Liberty wearing a winged cap, with the wings added to symbolize “liberty of thought.” Shortly after the new dime entered circulation, the public mistook Liberty for the Roman god Mercury, giving rise to the coin’s common name.

The reverse features a fasces — a Roman symbol representing the power of law and government — surrounded by an olive branch symbolizing peace. Before release, samples were sent to vending machine and pay phone companies, who complained the coins were too thick and jammed their machines. The design was modified to reduce the rim thickness before full production began.

By 1918, the series was only in its third year, but production was already operating under significant pressure. The United States was grappling with the final stages of World War I, and the Mint played a central role in producing coinage to support the nation’s wartime economy and meet the demand for circulating currency. All three mint facilities — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — were active that year, each striking dimes at high volume to keep pace with circulation demand.

Production heavily favored cents and dimes over larger denominations, and the high output led to heavy die use across all facilities. This had a direct consequence on strike quality: dies that had produced hundreds of thousands of impressions could no longer transfer full design detail to each coin.

Branch mints in particular struggled with die spacing and pressure, resulting in weak strikes that made fully struck examples statistically rare. Most 1918 dimes that left the mint already lacked complete definition in the reverse bands — a problem that would define how collectors evaluate these coins more than a century later.

As is the case with most silver coinage from this era, a significant portion of the original mintage has been lost to melting over the decades, leaving only a fraction of the original coins still in existence today. Well-circulated examples remain accessible, but coins that survived in original mint state — particularly those with a Full Bands designation — are now among the most sought-after issues in the entire Mercury Dime series.

Also Read: Mercury Dime Coin Value (1916-1945)

 

Is Your 1918 Dime Rare?

Across all six 1918 issues, collector scores range from 66 to 89, with the 1918-D FB earning a “Divine” rating and ranking 11th in the entire Mercury Dime series — a reflection of just how scarce fully struck examples from the Denver Mint truly are.

If you want to track rarity rankings and see where a specific coin stands within its series, the CoinValueChecker App gives you real-time scores and rankings across thousands of issues, making it an essential tool for evaluating collectibility beyond price alone.

 

Key Features of the 1918 Dime

The 1918 dime is part of the Mercury Dime series, officially known as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, struck by the United States Mint from 1916 through 1945. All three mint facilities — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — produced dimes in 1918.

All 1918 dimes were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, with each coin containing approximately 0.0723 troy ounces of pure silver. The coin weighs 2.5 grams and measures 17.9 mm in diameter with a reeded edge — specifications unchanged from earlier dime issues.

The Obverse of the 1918 Dime

The obverse presents a left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with wings. “LIBERTY” appears along the upper rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” is positioned to the left of Liberty’s neck. The date sits at the bottom rim, and Weinman’s monogram “AW” is subtly placed near the base of Liberty’s neck.

The wings were added specifically to symbolize freedom of thought — not as a reference to the Roman god Mercury, though the public quickly adopted that name regardless. As seen in the coin photographed above, the portrait carries fine detail in the hair strands and feather structure of the wing. These are among the first areas to show wear in circulated examples, and their condition directly affects grade.

The Reverse of the 1918 Dime

The reverse features a Roman fasces as its central element — a bundle of rods bound together with an axe head protruding, symbolizing strength through unity. Weinman noted in a 1916 letter that the axe represented preparedness to defend the Union. An olive branch is entwined around the fasces to represent peace.

This pairing of imagery was particularly fitting at the time of the coin’s production, as the United States had just emerged from World War I and was navigating both its military commitments and its desire for lasting peace.

The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DIME” appear around the rim. The mint mark, when present, is located on the reverse along the lower rim — “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco. Coins struck at Philadelphia carry no mint mark.

Other Features of the 1918 Dime

Of particular importance to collectors is the condition of the horizontal bands on the fasces. On well-struck coins, these bands show complete separation with a visible recessed area between them — the standard required to earn the Full Bands (FB) designation. Most Mercury dimes show incomplete bands, making fully struck examples a distinct and premium subset of any given issue.

For the 1918 series, heavy die use at all three facilities meant that the majority of coins left the mint without meeting this standard. Strike quality varied between facilities, and branch-mint coins from Denver and San Francisco more frequently show weakness in the central reverse detail — which directly determines the availability, and ultimately the value, of Full Bands-certified examples from those mints today.

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

 

1918 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

In 1918, all three U.S. mint facilities contributed to dime production, though output was not evenly distributed. Philadelphia led with 26,680,000 coins, followed by Denver at 22,674,800, and San Francisco at 19,300,000. On the surface, these are substantial figures — collectively representing nearly 70 million coins struck in a single year. Yet the survival data tells a very different story.

Estimated surviving populations stand at roughly 5,000 for both the Philadelphia and Denver issues, and approximately 3,500 for San Francisco — survival rates of just 0.0187%, 0.0221%, and 0.0181% respectively. These figures reflect over a century of attrition through circulation wear, silver melt programs, and general loss. With war’s end in 1918, the economy began to slow, and the coins that had passed through wartime commerce experienced correspondingly heavy use. Few were preserved in collectible condition, and the majority of survivors exist in well-worn grades.

What the raw survival numbers do not capture, however, is the distribution of quality within those survivors. The 1918-D is common in circulated form, but becomes a five-figure rarity in MS65 FB and a six-figure rarity in MS67 FB. The same pattern applies to the San Francisco issue. Despite its substantial mintage, quality proved far less consistent than quantity — with each die averaging over 277,000 impressions, striking pressure was systematically compromised, weakening the central band detail that defines the Full Bands designation.

This is the core paradox of the 1918 dime. High mintage created the assumption of abundance, but heavy wartime use eliminated most examples, and production conditions at branch mints ensured that fully struck survivors were rare from the outset. The result is a series where the surviving population is both numerically small and qualitatively thin at the top — which is precisely what drives the extreme price premiums seen in high-grade, Full Bands-certified examples today.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1918 Dime Value

Knowing your 1918 Mercury Dime’s value comes down to three things: condition and mint type are the two primary factors that determine price, with the Full Bands designation adding a third layer for reverse strike quality. Start by checking the rim — if wear has reached the lettering, the coin grades no higher than Good.

From there, examine the hair and wing detail on the obverse and the fasces lines on the reverse to narrow down the grade. Then locate the mint mark on the reverse to identify whether your coin is a Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco issue.

Getting an accurate value used to mean consulting price guides or sending a coin to a grading service — but the CoinValueChecker App simplifies the entire process instantly, making it the fastest and most reliable way to know exactly what your 1918 dime is worth today.

 

1918 Dime Value Guides

In 1918, dimes were struck at all three active U.S. mint facilities, each producing a distinct issue identifiable by its mint mark on the reverse. Beyond the three mint varieties, each type also exists in a standard and Full Bands (FB) version — the latter awarded only to coins where the horizontal bands on the reverse fasces show complete, fully separated detail, a standard that relatively few 1918 dimes meet regardless of mint.

• 1918 No Mint Mark Dime — struck at Philadelphia, which carried no mint mark by convention. Philadelphia issues are generally the most available in higher circulated grades within the 1918 series.
• 1918-D Dime — struck at the Denver Mint, identified by a small “D” on the reverse. The 1918-D is particularly prized in Full Bands condition, where it ranks among the most valuable issues in the entire Mercury Dime series.
• 1918-S Dime — struck at the San Francisco Mint, identified by a small “S” on the reverse. San Francisco coins are noted for generally weaker strikes, making fully struck examples especially scarce and commanding strong premiums among collectors.

Though all three types share the same design and silver composition, strike quality and surviving condition vary significantly between facilities — and those differences are precisely what separates a common circulated example from a coin worth tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

 

1918 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1918 Philadelphia dime is the most accessible entry point in the 1918 Mercury Dime series. In very good condition, the coin is worth around $12, rising to approximately $35 in extremely fine condition. These circulated examples are straightforward to find and represent a reasonable starting point for collectors building a date set on a modest budget.

The picture changes considerably once you move into uncirculated territory. An MS60 example trades at around $90, while a gem MS65 can sell for approximately $470. Step up to a Full Bands designation, and the premium becomes meaningful — an MS65 FB example can reach $350 or more, reflecting the relative scarcity of fully struck Philadelphia coins despite the large original production.

It is worth noting that the Philadelphia issue, while the most common of the three 1918 varieties in circulated grades, is not exempt from the strike quality challenges that affected the entire 1918 production run. Finding a fully struck example remains genuinely difficult, and the split between standard and Full Bands coins creates two distinct markets — one accessible to most collectors, and one reserved for those pursuing condition quality above all else.

To see how individual Philadelphia examples have actually performed at auction over the years, the chart below tracks real sale results across grades — giving you a concrete look at where prices have landed and how the market has moved over time.

From there, the Market Activity section shows current collector demand and how actively this coin is trading right now.

 

1918-D Dime Value

The 1918-D Mercury dime is not rare in circulated grades, but it is genuinely scarce in mint state condition. A well-worn example in Good condition can be found for around $9, making it an accessible coin for entry-level collectors. From there, values climb steadily — an MS65 example trades at approximately $867, while an MS67 reaches around $4,290. These are respectable figures for a standard strike, but they represent only a fraction of what a fully struck example commands.

The Full Bands designation is where the 1918-D becomes a different coin entirely. It is no exaggeration to say the 1918-D Mercury dime is among the very rarest of all regular-issue FB specimens in the entire series. Gem uncirculated specimens grading MS65 or higher collectively may include fewer than two or three dozen examples in all, with only around 30 certified as Full Bands by PCGS and NGC combined. That level of scarcity has a direct impact on price — and the auction record reflects it clearly.

The finest known example, graded PCGS MS67 FB, realized $182,125 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2015 — a figure that places this coin in a different tier from virtually every other Mercury Dime issue. That result was not an anomaly; it was the logical outcome of extreme condition rarity meeting strong collector demand at the right moment.

The auction chart below maps out how 1918-D examples have performed across grades over time, giving you a clearer picture of where prices have consistently landed.

And if you’re curious about how actively this coin moves among collectors today, the Market Activity section that follows tracks current trading patterns and demand levels.

 

1918-S Dime Value

The 1918-S Mercury Dime occupies an interesting position in the series: straightforward to find in circulated condition, yet genuinely elusive in quality mint state examples. In circulated grades, the coin is not considered rare, and well-worn examples change hands regularly at modest prices. In mint state, however, it becomes a rare issue — with or without the Full Bands designation.

The divide between standard and Full Bands examples is particularly sharp for the San Francisco issue. PCGS population data shows that mint state coins without Full Bands outnumber those with Full Bands by roughly a 4:1 ratio, and the population drops sharply at the Gem level — falling by around 50% between MS64 and MS65. Above that, coins become genuinely scarce. Examples grading MS66 FB or higher are exceptionally rare, with survival in the finest grades reducible to a small handful of known specimens.

That scarcity is reflected in the record prices this coin has achieved. A PCGS MS67 FB CAC example sold for $44,850 in 2002 and $63,250 in 2009, before the same coin realized $144,000 as part of The Charles McNutt Collection at Heritage Auctions in January 2019 — a figure that places the 1918-S FB among the most valuable issues in the entire Mercury Dime series. Interest in the coin’s quality challenges predates modern registry competition, with dealers recognizing its scarcity as early as 1976.

The auction chart below traces how individual 1918-S examples have performed across grades and years, giving you a clearer picture of where prices have moved over time.

The Market Activity section that follows then shows how actively collectors are pursuing this coin in today’s market.

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

 

Rare 1918 Dime Error List

Error coins from the 1918 Mercury Dime series are not common, but they do exist — and when found, they carry value well beyond what condition or mint mark alone can explain. These errors occurred during production at the mint, often as a result of die preparation issues, mechanical failures, or mishandled planchets. Depending on the error type and grade, 1918 dime errors can be worth anywhere from a modest premium to several thousand dollars at auction.

1. 1918 Dime Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

The Doubled Die Obverse error occurs during die manufacturing when the hub stamp is not perfectly aligned across multiple impressions, leaving a doubled image on design elements such as “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the date, or “LIBERTY.”

The degree of doubling varies between examples — minor cases require magnification, while stronger specimens show visible letter separation to the naked eye. Coins with clear, dramatic doubling command the highest premiums, while subtle cases carry only a modest premium over standard examples.

2. 1918 Dime Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

Repunched Mint Mark errors appear on Denver (D) or San Francisco (S) dimes where the mint mark was manually punched more than once at a slightly different angle or position, resulting in a doubled, misaligned, or shifted mint mark. Philadelphia dimes are not affected, as they carry no mint mark.

The most collectible RPM examples show clear separation between the original and secondary punch marks rather than simple thickening of the letter. Values typically range from $50 to $1,000, depending on the clarity of the repunching and the overall grade of the coin.

3. 1918 Dime Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike error occurs when the collar mechanism fails to rise properly, or when a planchet is fed into the press at the wrong moment. The dies still strike the full design, but without dimensional constraints, causing the coin’s diameter to spread beyond its normal 17.9mm — typically expanding to 19–21mm or more — while the rim flattens completely.

The coin will appear noticeably thinner and wider than a standard dime despite retaining the complete design on both sides. Broadstrike 1918 Mercury dimes typically sell for $200 to $600 in average condition, with well-struck examples commanding $800 to $1,500, and uncirculated examples with exceptional eye appeal occasionally exceeding $2,000 at major auctions.

4. 1918 Dime Die Crack Error

Die breaks occur when a striking die fragments physically during production due to metal fatigue and stress fractures from repeated use. On a finished coin, this appears as a raised line or blob running across the surface — most commonly visible on Liberty’s cap on the obverse or across the fasces on the reverse.

On 1918 Mercury dimes, die cracks and cuds appear as raised lines or blobs caused by a cracked or broken die. Minor die cracks carry a small premium, while a full cud — where a section of the die breaks away entirely, leaving a raised blank area on the coin — is considerably rarer and commands meaningfully higher prices.

5. 1918 Dime Clipped Planchet Error

A clipped planchet error occurs when the planchet strip is not fed properly into the blanking press, resulting in missing metal from a coin’s edge area. Three primary clip types result: curved clips, straight clips, and ragged clips.

On curved-clip coins, the rim opposite the clip often shows a distinctive distortion called the Blakesley Effect. The size of the clip directly affects value — larger clips with a readable date and mint mark intact are the most desirable. For 1918 dimes, well-defined curved clips in above-average condition typically trade between $100 and $400, with dramatic examples in uncirculated grades reaching higher.

6. 1918 Dime Strike Through Error

A strike through error occurs when foreign material — such as grease, cloth fragments, wire, or debris — gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking, preventing full metal flow in that area and creating a blank or weakly struck spot on the finished coin.

Strike through errors were common in early 20th century mint operations where dies required frequent lubrication and cloth wiping, making lint, grease buildup, or dropped foreign objects a recurring risk during the high-volume production runs of 1918. The value of a strike through error depends on the size and clarity of the affected area — a dramatic, well-defined impression of a foreign object commands far more than a simple grease-filled die weakness.

7. 1918 Dime Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes occur when a blank was not properly seated before striking, resulting in the design being shifted from its intended position. Some examples show only a slight shift, while others display a dramatic misalignment of over 50%. For 1918 dimes, examples that retain a clearly visible date despite significant misalignment are the most desirable, as the date confirms the year of issue and directly affects collectibility. Minor off-center examples carry a small premium, while dramatic specimens in better grades can reach several hundred dollars.

8. 1918 Dime Die Rotation Error

Die rotation errors on 1918 Mercury dimes occur when the reverse die is installed at an incorrect angle relative to the obverse die. These errors are rare, valued at $150 to $500 in average condition, with dramatic rotations of 90 degrees or more in uncirculated grades reaching $800 to $1,200 at auction. To identify this error, hold the coin with the obverse upright and flip it vertically — the reverse should also appear upright. Any meaningful rotation indicates a die rotation error, though minor shifts under 15 degrees are common and carry minimal premium.

9. 1918 Dime Wrong Planchet Error

Wrong planchet errors occur when a blank intended for a different denomination accidentally enters the dime production line and receives Mercury dime dies — a result of contamination in the planchet bins or feeding mechanisms at the mint. The error is immediately apparent from the coin’s incorrect size, weight, or color.

The coin struck on an incorrect blank will weigh exactly what the denomination of that blank would have been, providing definitive authentication. Authenticated wrong planchet examples are among the rarest and most valuable error coins in the series, with values starting at $1,000 and reaching considerably higher depending on the specific planchet combination and grade. Third-party certification is essential before any sale or purchase.

 

Where to Sell Your 1918 Dime?

After determining what your coins are worth, you’re probably wondering about convenient online selling options. I’ve researched and compiled a guide to the best platforms, outlining their services, pros, and cons.

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

 

1918 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1918 Dime

1. What is the 1918 Mercury Dime?

The 1918 Mercury Dime is part of the Winged Liberty Head Dime series, struck by the United States Mint from 1916 through 1945. The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, and was designed by sculptor Adolph Weinman. The obverse depicts Liberty wearing a winged cap — a detail so commonly mistaken for the Roman god Mercury that the name stuck despite the figure officially representing Liberty.

2. How much is a 1918 dime worth?

Value depends primarily on condition and mint mark. In Good condition, the minimum value of a 1918 dime sits around $5.53, largely reflecting its silver content. A coin still showing strong detail and eye appeal in uncirculated condition can be worth $115 or more. At the top of the scale, Full Bands examples in the finest known grades have sold for six figures at major auctions.

3. How do I know if my 1918 dime is in Good, Fine, or Uncirculated condition?

The easiest starting point is the rim — if wear has reached into the lettering, the coin grades no higher than Good. In Fine condition, the central design shows wear with minimal hair and wing separation on the obverse. An uncirculated example retains full luster and sharp detail across all design elements.

4. What does the “D” or “S” on my 1918 dime mean?

These are mint marks that identify where the coin was struck. A “D” indicates Denver and an “S” indicates San Francisco. Coins struck at Philadelphia carry no mint mark at all. The mint mark appears on the reverse along the lower rim and is one of the first things to check when assessing a coin’s identity and value.

5. What is the Full Bands (FB) designation and why does it matter?

The Full Bands designation is awarded to Mercury dimes where the horizontal bands on the reverse fasces are completely split and raised, with no merging or interruption. Even a minor connection in the bands can prevent this designation. Coins that meet this standard command significant premiums over standard examples — sometimes several times the price of an otherwise identical coin without FB.

6. Which 1918 dime is the rarest?

The 1918-D in Full Bands condition is among the rarest issues in the entire Mercury Dime series. Approximately 70% to 80% of mint state survivors from Denver do not have fully struck bands, and superb gem examples are among the most elusive of the twentieth century. The auction record for the 1918-D FB stands at $182,125, achieved at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2015.

7. Is the 1918 dime considered a key date?

Not in the traditional sense. The 1918 issues lack the headline rarity of the 1916-D or the low-mintage 1921 dimes, but they function as conditional rarities — coins that become genuinely scarce and challenging to acquire in high grades with Full Bands. For collectors pursuing quality over simply filling a date slot, certain 1918 issues are as difficult to find as any key date in the series.

8. Were 1918 dimes affected by silver melting programs?

Yes. As is the case with most silver coins from this era, 1918 Mercury dimes have been melted in significant volume over the decades, leaving only a fraction of the original production still in existence. Circulated examples remain available enough to satisfy most collector demand, but uncirculated specimens are significantly more difficult to locate as relatively few were ever saved.

9. Can I find a 1918 dime error coin?

Error coins do exist for the 1918 series, including doubled die varieties, the notable 1918/7-D overdate, and off-center strikes. Some error dimes are worth a few hundred dollars if they carry a rare error and retain an above-average grade. Any suspected error coin should be authenticated by a professional grading service before purchase or sale.

10. Should I have my 1918 dime professionally graded?

If your coin appears to be in good condition and is from a sought-after mint year, having it graded by a professional service such as PCGS or NGC can give you a much clearer picture of its actual market value. The grading process accounts for even minor imperfections and verifies both the coin’s metal content and authenticity. For any 1918 dime that might qualify for a Full Bands designation, professional grading is particularly worthwhile given the significant premium that designation carries.