1931 Dime Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 1931 dime holds a respected place in the Mercury Dime series as a semi-key date, and collecting a complete set across all three mints — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — takes more effort than it might first appear.

Condition is where things get especially nuanced. The 1931-S is the scarcest of the three when seeking Full Bands (FB) examples, while the 1931-D is comparatively easier to find in that state — a detail that serious set builders keep in mind.

For anyone researching 1931 dime value, grade makes an enormous difference. A circulated Philadelphia piece in Good condition typically brings around $7, while a mint-state 1931-S with Full Bands can reach $1,546 or more, reflecting just how much quality shapes the market for this date.

 

1931 Dime Value By Variety

The table below breaks down 1931 dime value across all three mint varieties and key grade levels. 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 1931 Dime Worth Money

Among all known auction results since 2005, a handful of 1931 dimes have sold for figures that stand well above typical collector expectations. The chart above highlights the ten most valuable examples on record, and the gap between the top result and everything else is hard to ignore.

The 1931-S MS67+FB leads by a wide margin, having reached $270,250 at auction. That result reflects the extraordinary difficulty of finding a San Francisco dime with Full Bands detail at that grade level. The next closest, a 1931 MS67+FB from Philadelphia, sold for $17,400 — a strong result in its own right, but a fraction of the S-mint record.

Below the top two, prices range from roughly $1,763 to $10,800. Several DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) varieties appear in the lower half of the chart, including the 1931-S DDO FS-101 and 1931-D DDO FS-101, which attract collectors interested in error coins alongside high-grade examples.

Overall, the data makes clear that mint mark, strike quality, and grade all work together to shape where a coin lands on this list.

 

History of the 1931 Dime

The Mercury Dime series had its beginnings in 1916, born out of a broader push to bring artistic renewal to American coinage. Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the coin’s obverse as Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap — a detail the public quickly mistook for the Roman god Mercury, giving the coin a nickname that stuck for over a century.

The coin was issued at a time when calls were growing for the U.S. to enter World War I, which is why Weinman combined motifs of war and justice — represented by the fasces on the reverse — with an olive branch symbolizing peace. The series went on to serve as America’s everyday dime through some of the most turbulent decades in modern history.

By the time 1931 arrived, the country was deep into the Great Depression. Industrial production in the United States had fallen sharply, GDP had declined, and unemployment had climbed well above 20 percent. Demand for new coinage reflected that hardship directly.

By 1931, it was evident that few additional coins were needed, and the U.S. Mint’s overall workforce dropped rapidly as production slowed to a fraction of its earlier levels. No quarter dollars were struck at all in 1931, and no nickels or dimes would be minted in the two years that followed.

The 1931 dime, pressed into existence at the low point of the Depression, carries that economic reality with it — which is part of why it remains a date that collectors pay close attention to today.

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

 

Is Your 1931 Dime Rare?

Use the CoinValueChecker App to check where your 1931 dime ranks in rarity across the full Mercury Dime series.

 

Key Features of the 1931 Dime

The 1931 Mercury Dime carries the celebrated design created by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, first introduced in 1916. By 1931, the design had become a familiar and well-regarded part of American coinage, admired for its artistic detail and graceful composition.

The Obverse of the 1931 Dime

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap — a image so closely associated with the Roman god Mercury that the nickname stuck throughout the series.

The word “LIBERTY” runs along the upper rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in smaller text to the left, near the portrait. The date “1931” is placed along the lower right of the coin.

The Reverse of the 1931 Dime

The reverse is centered on a fasces — a bundled set of rods with an axe — representing unity and strength. An olive branch crosses the left side of the fasces, symbolizing peace.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears to the right of the fasces. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim, while “ONE DIME” is inscribed along the bottom rim of the coin. Any mint mark — “D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco — appears at the lower left base of the fasces.

Other Features of the 1931 Dime

The 1931 Mercury Dime is a round coin with a reeded edge. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with an official weight of 2.5 grams, and a diameter of 17.90 mm.

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

 

1931 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The Philadelphia Mint produced the largest number of 1931 dimes, followed by San Francisco and then Denver. Yet higher mintage does not always translate into greater survival, and the numbers here reflect that clearly.

The 1931-D actually shows the highest survival rate among the three varieties at just under 0.794%, despite having the smallest original mintage. Both the D and S mints have an estimated 10,000 survivors each, while the Philadelphia issue trails with around 8,000 — giving it the lowest survival rate of the group at roughly 0.254%.

What this means practically is that all three varieties are genuinely scarce today, and the survival rate gap between them is something worth keeping in mind — especially if you’re focused on a specific mint when building a collection.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1931 Dime Value

Three things shape a 1931 dime’s value more than anything else: the mint mark, the grade, and whether the coin shows Full Bands detail on the reverse. A circulated Philadelphia example and a gem-quality San Francisco FB piece can sit worlds apart in price, even though they share the same date.

Checking the mint mark is straightforward — a “D” indicates Denver, an “S” points to San Francisco, and a coin with no mint mark was struck in Philadelphia. Grade takes a bit more practice. A coin in Good condition will show clear outlines but heavy wear, while an AU or Mint State example retains much of its original luster with little to no circulation wear visible.

For the Full Bands designation, examine the horizontal bands that wrap around the fasces. A fully struck coin will show complete, separated bands — and that detail alone can push value considerably higher.

Open the CoinValueChecker App to check your coin’s grade and see exactly where it stands.

 

1931 Dime Value Guides

The 1931 dime was struck at three different mints, and each variety carries its own character in terms of availability and collector demand. Knowing which one you have is a natural starting point for understanding its place in the series.

• 1931 No Mint Mark Dime — struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this is the most commonly encountered of the three varieties in circulated grades.
• 1931-D Dime — the Denver issue, and the scarcest of the three by original output, though it holds a comparatively strong survival rate today.
• 1931-S Dime — the San Francisco issue, particularly sought after in higher grades and especially prized when found with Full Bands detail.

All three are considered semi-key dates within the Mercury Dime series, and each one rewards collectors who take the time to seek out well-preserved examples.

 

1931 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1931 No Mint Mark Dime comes from the Philadelphia Mint, which produced the largest number of 1931 dimes across all three facilities. Despite that relative output advantage, circulated survivors in solid condition are harder to come by than many collectors expect — years of active use during the Depression years took a toll on most examples that stayed in public hands.

A notable historical footnote: as late as June 1934, collectors could still obtain uncirculated 1931 dimes at face value plus postage from the Mint. That detail speaks to just how little demand there was for new coins in those lean years — and also explains why a small number of higher-grade pieces managed to survive intact.

For those seeking top-tier examples, the premium climbs quickly. An MS67+ FB specimen has reached $17,400 at auction, reflecting how rare it is to find a Philadelphia issue with both the Full Bands designation and that level of preservation. Most surviving pieces fall well below that mark, making gem-quality examples genuinely scarce.

The auction chart below gives a closer look at how this coin has performed across different grades and platforms over time.

Market activity for the 1931 No Mint Mark Dime reflects a solid level of collector engagement across the market.

 

1931-D Dime Value

Among the three 1931 mint varieties, the Denver issue occupies a genuinely unusual position. Most 1931-D dimes were issued several years after they were struck, since they weren’t needed for commerce in 1931. Speculators hoarded uncirculated rolls when they did finally appear, drawn by the low published mintage. That history gives this coin a different survival profile compared to many of its contemporaries.

The 1931-D is actually the most common of the three 1931 varieties when seeking Full Bands examples, which makes it a more accessible entry point for collectors pursuing FB-designated pieces within the date. That said, gem-quality survivors are still far from easy to find, and prices reflect that.

The auction record for the 1931-D stands at $5,880 for an MS67FB example, a result that underlines how the market values top-tier Denver pieces. For collectors working through the Mercury Dime series, the 1931-D is widely regarded as a semi-key date — approachable in circulated grades, but genuinely scarce once you start pushing into higher mint state levels.

The auction records below capture how this coin has traded across different grades and platforms over time.

Collector interest in the 1931-D Dime has shown meaningful engagement across the market in recent periods.

 

1931-S Dime Value

The 1931-S stands apart from the other two 1931 varieties in one specific way: it is the scarcest of the three when seeking examples with Full Bands detail. This striking quality disparity, in which San Francisco coins often lack the sharp detail found on Denver or Philadelphia issues, is a recurring theme throughout the Mercury Dime series — and the 1931-S is a clear example of that pattern.

Full Bands examples are genuinely scarce, and the first MS67+FB wasn’t certified until after March 2019. That timeline puts into perspective just how rarely these top-tier pieces surface, even among advanced collectors who have been searching for decades.

An MS67+FB example realized $270,250 at auction in June 2019 — the highest price ever recorded for a 1931 dime across all three mints, and one of the most notable results in the entire Mercury Dime series. For collectors working at more accessible grades, the 1931-S remains a rewarding and worthwhile pursuit.

Here’s a look at how auction prices for this coin have played out across different grades over time.

The market data below reflects how collector demand for the 1931-S Dime has shaped up in recent periods.

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

 

Rare 1931 Dime Error List

Error coins add a different dimension to collecting the 1931 dime. Beyond the standard mint varieties, two Doubled Die Obverse varieties — one from Denver and one from San Francisco — are recognized by specialists and listed in major variety guides. Both reward collectors who take the time to look closely.

1. 1931-D DDO FS-101

This variety features doubling on the obverse lettering, most notably visible on “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The error results from a misalignment during the hubbing process, and because the doubling is relatively subtle, many examples have passed through collections without ever being attributed.

Grade and attribution together drive value on this coin. A correctly identified example in mint state commands a clear premium over an unattributed piece at the same grade. The auction record stands at $2,640 for an MS67+ example, a figure that reflects how few top-tier survivors have been confirmed.

2. 1931-S DDO FS-101

The San Francisco DDO shares a similar doubling pattern on the obverse inscriptions, and like the Denver variety, it often goes unnoticed without careful examination under magnification. What sets this variety apart is the added dimension of the Full Bands designation.

An FB-attributed example reached $3,425 at MS65FB, while non-FB pieces trade considerably lower, with an MS63 selling for $228. That gap between the two tiers is a useful reminder of how much strike quality and variety attribution can move the needle on a single coin.

 

Where to Sell Your 1931 Dime?

Now that you know the value of your 1931 dime, are you wondering where to sell it online for the best return? Don’t worry — I’ve put together a list of trusted platforms, complete with introductions, pros, and cons to help you get started.

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

 

1931 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1931 Dime

1. What is a 1931 dime worth today?

Value depends heavily on the mint mark, grade, and whether the coin has Full Bands detail. A circulated Philadelphia example in Good condition starts around $7.02, while a mint-state 1931-S with Full Bands can reach $1,546.67 or more. The range across all three varieties is wide, so knowing your specific coin is the key first step.

2. How do I know which mint produced my 1931 dime?

Check the reverse of the coin near the base of the fasces. A “D” indicates Denver, an “S” points to San Francisco, and no mint mark means it was struck in Philadelphia. Each variety carries its own collector demand and price range, so identifying the mint mark is one of the most practical things you can do upfront.

3. Is the 1931 dime a rare coin?

All three 1931 varieties are considered semi-key dates within the Mercury Dime series. Circulated pieces are relatively easy to find at most coin dealers, but uncirculated examples present real challenges in terms of scarceness and quality. Rarity increases significantly once you start looking for gem-grade or Full Bands examples.

4. What does “Full Bands” mean on a 1931 dime?

Full Bands refers to the strike quality on the reverse, specifically whether the horizontal bands wrapping around the fasces are fully separated and complete. A coin with this designation commands a meaningful premium. Among the 1931 varieties, the 1931-S FB is the scarcest, while the 1931-D FB is the most accessible of the three.

5. Is a 1931 dime made of silver?

Yes — 1931 dimes are 90% silver, containing .0723 troy ounces of pure silver. That gives every example a base melt value regardless of condition, though collector value typically runs well above silver content for most grades. For higher-grade or attributed pieces, numismatic value far outpaces the metal value.

6. What is the most valuable 1931 dime ever sold?

The record belongs to a 1931-S MS67+FB, which realized $270,250 at auction in June 2019. That result reflects both the extreme scarcity of Full Bands examples at that grade level and the strong collector appetite for top-tier San Francisco issues. It remains the highest price ever recorded for any 1931 dime across all three mints.

7. Are there any error coins to look for in the 1931 dime series?

Two Doubled Die Obverse varieties are recognized for this date: the 1931-D DDO FS-101 and the 1931-S DDO FS-101. Both show doubling on the obverse lettering, most notably on “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The 1931-D DDO has reached $2,640 at auction, while the 1931-S DDO FB version has sold for $3,425 — both well above standard issue prices.

8. Could collectors buy 1931 dimes directly from the Mint?

A notice in the June 1934 issue of The Numismatist confirms that collectors could obtain uncirculated 1931-S Mercury dimes for just ten cents each, with only a small additional charge to cover first-class shipping. The same was true for Philadelphia issues. That detail helps explain why a portion of the surviving population exists in higher grades today.

9. How does the 1931 dime fit into a Mercury Dime collection?

The 1931 date sits near the end of the early, scarcer phase of the Mercury Dime series. Most issues struck from 1916 through 1931 are notably scarcer than those produced from 1934 onward, and the 1931 dime is no exception.

For set builders, completing all three mint varieties — particularly in higher grades — takes patience and a clear understanding of what separates a common circulated piece from a genuinely premium example.

10. Why is the 1931 dime the last Mercury dime struck before a two-year gap?

By 1931, the Great Depression had severely reduced demand for new coinage across all denominations. The U.S. Mint scaled back production sharply, and no Mercury dimes were struck in 1932 or 1933 at all. That two-year absence makes 1931 the closing date of an era, and it’s one reason collectors treat this issue with particular interest within the series.