1943 Dime Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1943 Dime value ranges from $0.10 face value to $19,550. That record was set by a grade-68 example sold at Heritage Auctions in August 2010. Curious what yours might be worth? Upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are actually paying right now.

 

1943 Dime Value By Variety

Your 1943 Mercury Dime’s value hinges on which mint struck it. If you already know the grade, jump straight to the **Value Guides** section below for exact pricing.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1943 Dime Worth Money

The king of the 1943 date is a Philadelphia Full Bands coin graded MS-68. It hammered for $19,550 at Heritage Auctions in August 2010. That’s a coin with a mintage north of 191 million — proof that grade and strike sharpness can turn a common date into a five-figure piece.

Full Bands examples own the top of this chart. The 1943-S FB 68 brought $16,800, and the 1943-D FB 68 hit $14,688. You’ll also spot the 1943-S/S RPM FS-501 variety appearing twice, which tells you how hungry collectors are for repunched mintmark pieces. Even a non-FB 1943 in MS-66 has sold for $900 — strong money for a high-mintage wartime dime.

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

 

Is Your 1943 Dime Rare?

Here’s the thing most people miss: the 1943-S has the lowest mintage, but the Philadelphia coin actually has the lowest survival rate. Huge mintage meant heavy circulation, and heavy circulation meant most got worn into oblivion. Meanwhile, Full Bands pieces from any mint are a completely different kind of rare — the population drops off a cliff once you get above MS-66 FB. To get a quick read on your specific coin, check it with our Coin Identifier and Value App — just snap a photo and let the tool do the rest.

 

Key Features Of The 1943 Dime

The 1943 Mercury Dime is a wartime ten-cent piece designed by Adolph A. Weinman. Three mints produced it during the height of World War II.

The Obverse Of The 1943 Dime

Look at the front of the coin. You’ll see a young Lady Liberty facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap — that wing symbolizes freedom of thought, not the god Mercury (though the nickname stuck). “LIBERTY” arcs across the top. “IN GOD WE TRUST” runs along the left rim. Weinman’s “AW” monogram sits just below Liberty’s neck truncation, and “1943” appears at the bottom.

The Reverse Of The 1943 Dime

Flip it over. The central device is a Roman fasces — a bundle of rods bound around an ax — set in front of an olive branch. “ONE DIME” sits at the bottom, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” runs above, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” follows the top rim. The mint mark, if your coin has one, is to the left of the fasces near the olive branch stem. That’s where you want to look first.

Other Features Of The 1943 Dime

The coin weighs 2.5 grams and measures 17.91 mm in diameter. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a reeded edge featuring 118 reeds. 

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

 

1943 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Over 324 million Mercury Dimes rolled out of three mints in 1943. Philadelphia dominated with 191,710,000 coins. Denver added 71,949,000, and San Francisco contributed 60,400,000.

Now here’s the counterintuitive part. Philadelphia had the biggest mintage but the worst survival rate — just 0.0339%, or roughly 65,000 coins still around. That’s because those 191 million coins went straight into wartime commerce and got beaten up. San Francisco, with the smallest mintage, actually has the highest survival rate at 0.0828% (about 50,000 coins). Denver lands in the middle at 0.0556%. Big mintage numbers don’t always mean easy to find.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1943 Dime Value

Three things drive the price of your 1943 Mercury Dime: mint mark, grade, and whether it has Full Bands. Circulated pieces trade near melt. Gem uncirculated examples? That’s where the real money starts.

Use the Coin Identifier and Value App to get an instant value range in seconds.

 

1943 Dime Value Guides

• 1943 No Mint Mark Dime — Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this is the most common variety of the three, with a mintage of 191,710,000. It is readily available across most of the grading spectrum, from low circulated grades through MS66. Coins with the Full Bands designation are less frequently encountered and carry a notable premium among collectors.
• 1943-D Dime — Produced at the Denver Mint with a mintage of 71,949,000, this variety carries the “D” mint mark on the reverse near the base of the fasces. Well-struck examples with full luster and clean surfaces are especially desirable to collectors. High-grade specimens with Full Bands designation are scarce and command strong collector interest.
• 1943-S Dime — The San Francisco Mint struck 60,400,000 Mercury Dimes in 1943, making it the lowest-mintage variety of the three that year. The San Francisco Mint had a reputation for careful production, and many 1943-S dimes exhibit crisp, well-defined strikes. Full Bands examples from this mint are particularly sought after.

All three 1943 varieties share the same Weinman design and 90% silver composition, but they play differently in the market. Strike sharpness, FB availability, and survival rates vary by mint — and those differences matter when you’re buying or building a set.

 

1943 No Mint Mark Dime Value

With 191,710,000 struck, you’d think these would be a dime a dozen. They are — in circulated grades. But try finding one with Full Bands. The horizontal bands on the fasces need complete, clean separation, and most Philly strikes just didn’t get there.

No mint mark on the reverse means Philadelphia. Easy to identify. In lower grades, you’ll pay a small premium over melt. Push into MS-66 and above, though, and the supply dries up fast. Top-pop examples attract registry set collectors willing to pay serious money.

The auction record for this variety stands at $19,550, achieved by an MS68-graded example sold at Heritage Auctions in August 2010.

The chart below shows historical auction results, with top-grade Full Bands examples consistently realizing the strongest prices over time.

The Market Activity chart reflects collector demand over the past year, with interest remaining relatively steady, showing occasional spikes during peak auction seasons.

Market activity score: 46/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 4 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 53 (Aug 2026).

 

1943-D Dime Value

Here’s a cherrypicking tip: Denver’s strike quality in 1943 was inconsistent. Some coins came off the press beautifully struck; others look mushy on the bands. That inconsistency is exactly why FB examples carry such a premium — everything had to go right during striking.

The Denver Mint produced 71,949,000 dimes this year. Look for the “D” on the reverse, left of the fasces near the olive branch stem. Circulated pieces track close to the Philly issue in value. The real action is in gem FB territory, where scarcity and demand push prices up fast.

The auction record for this variety is $14,688, set by an MS68+FB example sold at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in March 2019.

Take a look at the Auction Record Chart below — top-grade Full Bands examples have consistently commanded the highest realized prices across all platforms.

The Market Activity chart shows how collector interest in the 1943-D has trended over the past year, with demand remaining fairly consistent throughout.

Market activity score: 50/100 as of Sep 2026 — unchanged since Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 53 (Aug 2026).

 

1943-S Dime Value

Did you know San Francisco is the only mint that produced prooflike 1943 Mercury Dimes? That alone makes this variety a magnet for specialists.

At 60,400,000 struck, the 1943-S has the lowest mintage of the year. The “S” mint mark sits on the reverse, left of the fasces near the olive branch stem. San Francisco had a reputation for careful die preparation, and it shows — many 1943-S dimes have noticeably crisper detail than their Philly or Denver counterparts. Still, only a tiny fraction earned MS-65 or higher with Full Bands. I think the 1943-S FB is one of the better values in the wartime Mercury series for what you get.

The auction record for this variety stands at $16,800, achieved by an MS68FB example sold at Heritage Auctions in May 2022.

The Auction Record Chart below tracks realized prices over time, with FB-designated examples consistently sitting at the top end of the range.

The Market Activity chart reflects collector engagement over the past year, with the 1943-S showing solid and fairly steady demand throughout.

Market activity score: 74/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 19 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 80 (Dec 2025).

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

 

Rare 1943 Dime Error List

Not every 1943 Mercury Dime looks the same under a loupe. A few documented varieties exist with mint mark irregularities, and they’re worth knowing about — especially if you’re sorting through a bag of raw Mercs.

1. 1943-D/D RPM FS-501

RPM means Repunched Mint Mark. The “D” was punched into the die more than once, leaving a ghost image slightly offset from the primary mark. Grab a 10x loupe and look for doubling at the top curve of the “D” or along its vertical stem. This is a scarce variety within the 1943-D issue. High-grade Full Bands examples in MS67 bring meaningful premiums when they cross the auction block.

2. 1943-S/S RPM FS-501

This is the San Francisco version of the RPM, and we think it’s one of the more rewarding cherrypicks of the year. The “S” was punched twice into the working die, leaving a shadow offset from the primary impression. Focus on the top and bottom curves of the “S” — tilt the coin under a desk lamp and the doubling pops right out.

The auction record for the non-FB version stands at $1,645 for an MS67+ example sold at Stack’s Bowers in February 2015, while the FB-designated version reached $2,820 at Heritage Auctions in June 2015.

3. 1943-S Trumpet Tail MM FS-511

This one isn’t a repunching — it’s a different punch entirely. San Francisco used an older “S” punch, likely a leftover from 1941–1942, that has a distinctly flared lower serif. It looks like the bell of a trumpet. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it.

It’s quite scarce and recognized by major grading services. The auction record currently stands at $470 for an MS65 example sold on eBay in February 2023.

 

Where To Sell Your 1943 Dime?

When you’re ready to sell your 1943 Mercury Dime, finding the right platform matters. We’ve put together a curated list of the best places to sell coins online — from major auction houses to trusted dealer marketplaces — so you can make an informed decision and get the best value for your coin. 

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

 

1943 Dime Market Trend

Market interest: 33,920 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. 12-month peak: 38,490 (Jan 2026).

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

 

FAQ About The 1943 Dime    

1. What is a 1943 Mercury Dime worth?

It depends on mint mark, grade, and Full Bands status. Most circulated examples trade for a few bucks over silver melt. Gem uncirculated coins climb fast, and the finest known piece sold for over $19,000. Snap a photo with our coin identification app for a quick estimate on yours.

2. How do I know which mint struck my 1943 dime?

Check the reverse near the base of the fasces, left of the olive branch stem. “D” = Denver. “S” = San Francisco. No letter = Philadelphia.

3. What does Full Bands (FB) mean, and why does it matter?

Full Bands means the horizontal bands on the fasces show complete, clean separation. That takes a sharp strike, and most coins didn’t get one. FB pieces are considerably rarer than standard strikes at the same grade, so they carry a big premium. If you’re looking at two MS-66 coins and one has FB, expect a huge gap in price.

4. Which 1943 dime is the rarest?

By mintage, the 1943-S at 60,400,000. But real rarity comes down to grade and designation. The 1943-S FB PL (Full Bands Prooflike) is the toughest to find — San Francisco was the only mint making prooflike examples that year.

5. What is the highest price ever paid for a 1943 dime?

$19,550 for a 1943 Philadelphia MS68 at Heritage Auctions in August 2010. The 1943-S FB holds second place at $16,800, sold at Heritage Auctions in May 2022.

6. Is my 1943 dime made of silver?

Yes. Every 1943 Mercury Dime is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 2.5 grams. Even a beat-up example is worth more than face value because of its melt value alone.

7. What are the main error varieties for the 1943 dime?

Three to watch for: the 1943-D/D RPM FS-501, the 1943-S/S RPM FS-501, and the 1943-S Trumpet Tail MM FS-511. The first two are repunched mint marks. The Trumpet Tail is a punch style variety with a distinctly flared lower serif on the “S.”

8. How do I check the grade of my 1943 dime?

On the obverse, focus on Liberty’s hair above the ear and the feathers on the winged cap — that’s where wear shows first. On the reverse, check the diagonal bands of the fasces. For a definitive grade, send it to a major grading service. For a quick first look, try the Coin Identifier and Value App.

9. Why does the 1943 Philadelphia dime have the lowest survival rate despite its high mintage?

Simple: more coins in circulation means more coins getting worn out and lost. Those 191 million Philly dimes saw heavy wartime use. The San Francisco issue, with the smallest mintage, actually has the highest survival rate at 0.0828% — collectors and banks apparently set more of them aside.

10. Where is the best place to sell a 1943 Mercury Dime?

For high-grade or error pieces, established auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers will get you in front of the right buyers. Common circulated examples do fine on eBay. Check our curated guide to the best places to sell coins online for a full breakdown.