1942 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1942 Dime value can reach as high as $120,000. That record came from a 1942/1 overdate example graded MS66 Full Bands, sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2018. If you’re curious what yours could fetch, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value estimate. Then scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are actually paying.

 

1942 Dime Value By Variety

The 1942 Dime came in several varieties, and each one trades in its own price range. Condition is everything—the same coin might be worth a couple bucks worn or hundreds in gem uncirculated.

The chart below gives you a quick snapshot of what each variety is worth. If you already know the grade, jump down to the Value Guides section for exact pricing.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1942 Dime Worth Money

Every single coin in this top ten is a 1942/1 overdate—either Philadelphia or Denver. That tells you everything about where the serious money is in this year.

The king of the hill is a 1942/1 FB graded MS66, which brought $120,000 at Heritage Auctions in January 2018. PCGS has slabbed only eleven at MS66 FB, with nothing finer. The runner-up, a 1942/1 Overdate FS-101 at MS66, hit $102,000—a different certified example of the same variety.

Third place goes to a 1942/1 MS67 (non-FB) at $90,000. No Full Bands, and it still cracked six figures. That’s the overdate premium at work.

The Denver overdate tops out at $73,438 for a 1942/1-D FB 66. Denver entries show up three times in the chart, ranging from $40,250 to $73,438—strong numbers, but a slightly lower ceiling than Philadelphia.

One pattern jumps out across the board: Full Bands coins consistently beat non-FB examples at the same grade. You can see the spread even within this top ten. The FB designation matters on every Mercury Dime, but on the overdates it’s a multiplier.

 

History of the 1942 Dime

Is Your 1942 Dime Rare?

The chart above gives you the big picture, but rarity shifts a lot depending on your specific variety and grade. A standard 1942 Philly dime is common as dirt in circulated grades. Add the Full Bands designation at MS67 or higher, and suddenly you’re holding something genuinely scarce. The Coin Identifier and Value App  can give you a closer, more precise look at what you actually have.

 

Key Features of the 1942 Dime

Knowing what to look for on each side of this coin helps you spot varieties, grade accurately, and avoid fakes. Here’s what you’re working with.

The Obverse Of The 1942 Dime

You’ll see a left-facing Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. “LIBERTY” runs along the upper rim, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits to the left of her neck.

The date is at the bottom rim. Look for Weinman’s “AW” monogram to the lower right, roughly between the “Y” of LIBERTY and the date.

Despite the nickname, this isn’t Mercury. The wings on the cap symbolize freedom of thought. The portrait is generally believed to be based on a bust of Elsie Stevens that Weinman sculpted in 1913.

The Reverse Of The 1942 Dime

Flip it over and you’ll see a fasces—a bundle of rods—wrapped with an olive branch. Strength and peace. That symbolism hit differently in 1942 with a world war on.

The mintmark sits between the “E” in “ONE” and the base of the olive branch. No letter means Philadelphia. “D” is Denver, “S” is San Francisco. This is the spot you want to check first when you pick up any Mercury Dime.

Other Features Of The 1942 Dime

Weinman’s design comes on a 17.90 mm planchet weighing 2.50 grams. The composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, so every one of these has real melt value tied to the silver market.

Thickness is 1.35 mm with a reeded edge—118 reeds, if you’re counting. The reeding was standard on U.S. silver coins to prevent shaving.

Face value is ten cents, but the silver content alone puts even beat-up examples well above that today.

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

 

1942 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia alone struck 205,410,000 dimes in 1942—a record for the series at the time. Denver added 60,740,000 and San Francisco contributed 49,300,000. That’s over 315 million dimes from one year. To put that in perspective, the entire U.S. population in 1942 was about 135 million. They made more than two dimes for every man, woman, and child.

With those numbers, circulated survivors are plentiful across all three mints. Mint State coins aren’t hard to find either. But Full Bands examples? That’s where the supply drops off fast. The central bands just didn’t strike up fully on most coins.

The proof issue is its own story. Philadelphia delivered 22,329 proof Mercury Dimes in 1942, and PCGS has certified nearly 7,000 of them—about 31% of the total mintage. High survival rate, but still a small pool compared to business strikes.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1942 Dime Value

Several things drive what your 1942 Mercury Dime is worth: mint mark, strike quality, grade, Full Bands status, and whether you’ve got an overdate. Any one of those can move the needle big time.

Start by checking the date area for overdate traces. Then look at the reverse bands. Note the mintmark. From there, condition does the heavy lifting—even one grade point can mean a huge price difference.

The Coin Identifier and Value App makes this easy. Snap a photo, and the AI reads your coin’s details and gives you a value estimate based on what you actually have.

 

1942 Dime Value Guides

Five main varieties to know for 1942. Each one trades differently based on grade and strike quality.

• 1942 No Mint Mark Dime — Common in lower grades, scarcer with Full Bands at the top
• 1942-D Dime — Denver issue, slightly scarcer than Philadelphia; sharply struck examples are particularly prized
• 1942-S Dime — Lowest mintage of the three business strike mints; notably scarce at high FB levels
• 1942 Proof Dime — Collector-only mirror-finish issue struck at Philadelphia; generally well-preserved survivors
• 1942 CAM Dime — Among the rarest in the entire series

Circulated business strikes from all three mints trade near melt value. The Full Bands designation adds a real premium at every Mint State level, and that gap gets wider as you climb into gem grades. Proofs are their own world—grade and surface quality drive everything there.

 

1942 No Mint Mark Dime Value

Here’s something that might surprise you: about 60% of Mint State survivors carry the FB designation. That’s higher than most other dates in the series. So why isn’t it cheap in Full Bands?

Because the population falls off a cliff above MS67 FB. Mid-range FB coins are easy enough to find, but once you’re looking for a top-pop piece with original toning and strong luster, good luck. Those are genuinely tough.

The auction record sits at $15,275, set at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in May 2019 for a PCGS MS68FB. Eye appeal matters enormously at that level—coins with natural toning and blazing luster consistently bring the strongest results.

The table below lists every recorded auction result for the 1942 No Mint Mark Dime.

The chart below tracks how this variety has moved in the market over the past twelve months.

 

1942-D Dime Value

If you’re cherrypicking for Full Bands coins, Denver is where the challenge lives. The 1942-D often came off the press with mushy central details, so a fully struck FB example is harder to find than the mintage suggests.

Circulated pieces are affordable. No surprise there. But the price gap between a standard Mint State coin and one with the FB designation is noticeable at every grade level. Above MS67 FB, the population thins out fast.

The variety’s auction record is $12,000 for a PCGS MS68+FB, sold at Heritage Auctions in July 2025. Sharp strike, clean surfaces, and strong eye appeal—that’s the combination that pushes Denver coins to the top.

A full list of auction records for the 1942-D Dime appears below.

The following chart covers market activity for this variety over the past year.

 

1942-S Dime Value

Lowest mintage of the three mints, and you feel it at the top of the grading scale. Worn examples? Still just melt money. But try finding an MS67 FB or better from San Francisco. I think this is one of the more underappreciated varieties in the series.

San Francisco’s strike quality was hit or miss. Plenty of coins look nice overall but fall apart in the central bands. That inconsistency is why high-grade FB survivors are scarcer than the raw mintage numbers would have you believe.

The auction record is $14,750 for a PCGS MS68 FB sold at David Lawrence RC in January 2014.

Auction records for the 1942-S Dime across all grades are listed below.

The chart below reflects how this variety has performed in the market over the past twelve months.

 

1942 Proof Dime Value

The last proof Mercury Dime ever made. The Philadelphia Mint struck 22,329 of them before the war shut down the proof program until 1950. Eight obverse dies and four reverse dies handled the job, with worn lettering being the main reason dies got pulled.

Quality tends to be solid. Hundreds of PR68 examples have survived after more than 80 years, and PCGS has certified nearly 7,000 total—roughly 31% of the entire mintage. That’s a healthy survival rate, so most grade levels are accessible.

Standard proofs trade between $100 and $5,000 across PR60 to PR68+ grades. At the very top, a PCGS PR69 sold for $37,600 at Heritage Auctions in 2015. Rainbow-toned pieces and CAC-stickered coins consistently push toward the high end of any grade range.

Every recorded auction result for the 1942 Proof Dime is listed below.

The following chart shows market movement for this variety over the past year.

 

1942 CAM Dime Value

One coin. That’s it. PCGS has certified exactly one 1942 Mercury Dime in Cameo—a PR66CAM. Cameo proofs are rare across the entire 1936–1942 proof Mercury Dime run, and 1942 has fewer survivors than most other years.

The reason comes down to production speed. Wartime urgency meant dies stayed in the press longer between polishings. Fewer coins came off freshly polished dies, so fewer got that frosted-device-over-mirror-field look needed for a Cameo designation. PCGS confirms no other Cameo or Deep Cameo examples beyond that single certified piece.

Price guide estimates put PR66 CAM at $6,750 to $9,000 and PR67 at $11,000 to $14,000—several times what a non-CAM coin brings at the same grade. With essentially no auction comparables to work from, actual sale prices could land anywhere.

The full auction record for the 1942 CAM Dime is shown below.

Market activity for this variety over the past twelve months is tracked in the chart below.

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

 

Rare 1942 Dime Error List

Not every 1942 Mercury Dime is created equal. Several documented die varieties and errors exist for this year, and finding one can change what your coin is worth overnight. Here’s what to look for.

1. 1942/1 Dime Overdate FS-101 

This is the big one. The working die got impressed first by a 1941-dated hub, then by a 1942-dated hub. The old date didn’t fully disappear, leaving traces of the “1” visible beneath the “2.”

Here’s what to look for: the “4” has a distinct notch at the top and behind its base. You’ll also see doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and the “Y” in LIBERTY. A diagonal die polish line runs from the crossbar of the “4” to the rim—that’s another confirmed marker.

Your best authentication check is the “Long R” in LIBERTY. On a genuine 1942/1, the right leg of the R touches the central feather above it. No Long R? Walk away. It’s either altered or counterfeit. This variety gets faked constantly.

Arnold Kohn of Kingston, New York discovered it in 1943. The March 1943 issue of Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine featured it, and collectors went nuts. It hit the standard reference guides by 1945.

2. 1942/1-D Dime Overdate FS-101 

Same story as the Philly overdate—a die got double-hubbed with 1941 and 1942 dates, then shipped to Denver. But this one is trickier to spot.

The “1” spread is tighter on the Denver version. You’ll need 5x to 10x magnification. Look for subtle bumps at the top and bottom of the “2” where the old “1” hides. The notch at the bottom of the “4” is especially useful on worn coins where the “2/1” has been smoothed by circulation.

The Denver overdate is slightly scarcer than Philadelphia in uncirculated grades. The FB auction record stands at $40,800 for an MS66FB, achieved at Heritage Auctions in May 2024.

One important warning: any coin labeled “1942/1-S” is fake. The overdate error only happened on Philadelphia and Denver dies. Period.

3. 1942-D/D Dime RPM FS-501

Repunched mintmarks happened all the time on Mercury Dimes. Mint workers hand-punched every mintmark into the die. Punch it crooked or too light, and you punch it again. The first impression stays visible.

The FS-501 is the recognized Denver RPM for 1942. Under 10x magnification, look for a secondary “D” offset from the primary mintmark. You want sharp secondary edges—not a blurry halo. A soft, indistinct outline is just die deterioration from worn steel, not a true RPM.

This variety is listed in the Cherrypickers’ Guide and gets attributed on PCGS and NGC holders. The premium over a standard 1942-D is modest in lower grades but picks up in higher Mint State levels where the RPM stays crisp and visible.

4. 1942-S Inverted Mintmark FS-501

This one’s a head-turner. Somebody at the San Francisco Mint punched the “S” completely upside down—a full 180-degree rotation. This isn’t a subtle doubled impression. The mintmark is just flat-out wrong.

Quality control usually caught mistakes this obvious before a die went into production. The wartime rush let this one slip through. It’s cataloged as FS-501 and recognized on PCGS and NGC holders.

GreatCollections has recorded sales from $6 to $731 across all grades, with an MS65 example selling for $388. The FB designation adds more on top where applicable. We think this is one of the more fun varieties to cherrypick in the series.

5. 1942-S/S Dime RPM FS-502

Same hand-punching story as the Denver RPM, just from San Francisco. The FS-502 shows a secondary “S” impression—less dramatic than the inverted mintmark but still a cataloged, attributable variety.

This one is subtle. Under magnification, look for a secondary serif or overlapping outline at the edge of the primary “S.” A genuine RPM has defined secondary edges. Die wear just creates a soft glow around the mintmark with no sharp lines.

Premiums are modest in circulated grades and more meaningful in higher Mint State levels where the repunching stays clear.

 

Where to Sell Your 1942 Dime?

Selling a 1942 Mercury Dime at the right price depends largely on where you list it. The platform you choose affects who sees your coin, what fees you pay, and how quickly it moves—especially for higher-grade or variety pieces where the right buyer makes all the difference.

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

 

1942 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1942 Dime

1. How much is a 1942 Mercury Dime worth?

A worn circulated example trades near silver melt—a few bucks. Uncirculated coins without Full Bands run from about $12 to $200 depending on grade.

The real money is at the top. Full Bands examples in MS67 can hit $400 to $650. And the 1942/1 overdate in MS66 FB? That’s sold for as much as $120,000 at Heritage Auctions.

2. How do I find the mint mark on a 1942 Dime?

Flip to the reverse. It’s between the base of the olive branch and the “E” in “ONE DIME.” No letter means Philadelphia. “D” is Denver, “S” is San Francisco.

3. What is the Full Bands designation and why does it matter?

Look at the two horizontal bands in the center of the fasces on the reverse. If both show complete, unbroken separation, PCGS or NGC awards the FB designation.

Those bands sit opposite the highest relief points on the obverse, so they’re tough to strike fully. A 1942 in MS65 is worth around $25. Same coin with Full Bands? About $85. The gap gets much wider at higher grades.

4. How do I tell if my 1942 Dime is the rare 1942/1 overdate?

Grab a loupe—5x to 10x magnification. On a genuine 1942/1, the “4” has a notch at the top and behind its base. Traces of the “1” show beneath the “2.” You’ll also see doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and the “Y” in LIBERTY.

The best single check: the “Long R” in LIBERTY. The right leg of the R must touch the central feather above it. No Long R means it’s altered or counterfeit. This is one of the most frequently faked varieties in the entire Mercury Dime series.

5. Is a 1942/1 overdate from San Francisco real?

No. Genuine 1942/1 overdates exist only from Philadelphia and Denver. Any “1942/1-S” is a counterfeit or fantasy piece.

6. What is the silver content of a 1942 Mercury Dime?

It’s 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 2.50 grams with a 17.90 mm diameter. Actual silver weight is approximately 0.07234 troy ounces. At current silver prices, melt value on a circulated example runs a few dollars, but numismatic premiums kick in quickly at higher grades.

7. How do I know if my 1942 Proof Dime is genuine?

Philadelphia struck 30,185 proof dimes in 1942, with 22,329 passing quality control. PCGS has certified nearly 7,000, about 31% of the total mintage.

Real proofs have mirror-like fields and sharper detail than business strikes. They carry no mint mark and were never meant for circulation. Your safest bet is buying one already slabbed by PCGS or NGC.

8. What does the 1942 CAM Dime mean, and how rare is it?

CAM stands for Cameo—frosted raised devices against mirror-like fields. PCGS has certified exactly one 1942 Mercury Dime in Cameo, graded PR66CAM.

The population bell curve for 1942 proofs centers between PR64 and PR67, with PR68 or finer being exceptionally scarce. Cameo is rarer still. Faster production that year meant fewer coins came off freshly polished dies, cutting the odds of that frosted contrast.

9. What is the 1942-S Inverted Mintmark and how do I spot it?

A mint worker punched the “S” upside down—a full 180-degree rotation. It’s cataloged as FS-501 and recognized by both PCGS and NGC.

This isn’t a subtle doubled impression. The mintmark is oriented completely wrong. GreatCollections has recorded sales from $6 to $731 across all grades, with an MS65 example selling for $388.

10. Are 1942 Mercury Dimes a good entry point for new collectors?

Absolutely. Worn examples trade near melt value, so you can start collecting classic silver for just a few dollars. Low risk, great design.

Once you’re hooked, the same year offers Full Bands hunting, proof issues, and overdate varieties. The 1942 date is also part of the Mercury Dime Short Set covering 1941–1945—a popular and focused collecting goal that won’t break the bank to start.