1959 Dime Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Understanding 1959 Dime Value starts with recognizing its position in the Roosevelt series. These silver coins remain popular among collectors due to their accessibility and historical significance.

The 1959 dime was produced in large quantities, with over 250 million pieces struck across mints. Average values vary by condition and type.

Regular circulation strikes typically range from $2.00 in lower grades to $27.00 in mint state. Proof versions average around $13.25. Deep Cameo specimens can reach $224.60. These figures reflect the coin’s silver content and collector demand in today’s market.

 

1959 Dime Value By Variety

The 1959 Roosevelt Dime was produced at three different U.S. Mint facilities. Each mint created coins with distinct characteristics and values. These varieties show different price ranges based on mintage numbers and collector demand.

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

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Value (1946-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1959 Dime Worth Money

The most valuable 1959 dimes share one critical factor: exceptional condition. High-grade specimens in MS67 to MS69 condition dominate the top ten list. These coins showcase minimal surface marks and outstanding strike quality.

The Full Bands (FB) designation significantly impacts value. This designation means the horizontal bands on the torch show complete separation. Coins with FB command substantially higher premiums than regular strikes.

Philadelphia and Denver mint marks both appear in the top rankings. The 1959 Philadelphia MS69 leads at $5,980 in auction sales. Denver’s 1959-D MS68 follows closely at $5,288.

Grade rarity drives these premium prices. MS68 and MS69 specimens are exceptionally scarce. Most 1959 dimes circulated heavily, making pristine examples rare.

Values range from $528 for lower MS67 grades to nearly $6,000 for top specimens. Auction prices reflect sales between 2002 and present. These figures demonstrate strong collector demand for premium-quality 1959 Roosevelt dimes.

 

History Of The 1959 Dime

The Roosevelt dime entered circulation in January 1946. It honored President Franklin D. Roosevelt following his death in 1945. The coin replaced the Mercury dime design.

Roosevelt’s connection to the March of Dimes made the ten-cent piece appropriate. He had championed the fight against polio throughout his presidency.

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock created the design. The coin features Roosevelt’s profile on the obverse. A torch flanked by olive and oak branches appears on the reverse. These symbols represent liberty, peace, and strength.

By 1959, the Roosevelt dime series was well established. That year marked an important period in American history.

The nation remained deeply engaged in Cold War tensions. Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution occurred in January 1959. This event brought communist influence ninety miles from Florida.

The American economy was recovering from the 1957-58 recession. Production demands remained high as Cold War spending continued. The dime’s silver composition reflected pre-1965 coinage standards. Over 250 million Roosevelt dimes were struck in 1959 across multiple mint facilities.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List

 

Is Your 1959 Dime Rare?

Determining rarity requires examining mint marks, strike quality, and condition grades. Most 1952 dimes are common in circulated grades. However, high-grade examples and Full Bands varieties can be scarce. Check your coin’s specific details with the CoinValueChecker App for accurate rarity assessment.

 

Key Features Of The 1959 Dime

The 1959 Roosevelt dime showcases John R. Sinnock’s classic design. The coin features distinct elements on both sides. These design elements have remained essentially unchanged since 1946. Understanding these features helps collectors identify authentic specimens.

The Obverse Of The 1959 Dime

The obverse displays Franklin D. Roosevelt’s left-facing profile. His portrait dominates the coin’s front side.

The word “LIBERTY” appears along the upper left rim. Below Roosevelt’s chin sits the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The date “1959” is positioned at the lower right.

Designer John R. Sinnock’s initials “JS” appear at the truncation of Roosevelt’s neck. These small letters sit just below the bust line. This placement sparked initial controversy but became an accepted design element.

The Reverse Of The 1959 Dime

The reverse features a central torch representing liberty. An olive branch appears on the left side. An oak branch sits on the right side.

These branches symbolize peace and strength respectively. The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears across the middle section.

The denomination “ONE DIME” is displayed at the bottom. Mint marks, when present, appear to the left of the torch base. Philadelphia coins show no mint mark. Denver coins display a “D” marking.

Other Features Of The 1959 Dime

The coin measures 17.9 millimeters in diameter. It weighs 2.5 grams total. The composition is 90% silver and 10% copper. The edge features distinctive reeding with 118 reeds. These specifications match all silver Roosevelt dimes from 1946 to 1964.

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

 

1959 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1959 dime production reached impressive levels across multiple facilities. Denver led mintage with 164,919,790 pieces, nearly double Philadelphia’s 85,780,000 coins. Together, circulation strikes exceeded 250 million dimes.

Survival rates reveal interesting patterns among different types. Regular circulation strikes show a consistent 10% survival rate. Philadelphia coins retained approximately 8.6 million survivors. Denver preserved about 16.5 million examples.

Proof coins demonstrate notably higher survival rates at 30.45%. From the original 1,149,291 proof mintage, around 350,000 specimens survive today. Within proof categories, Cameo examples account for 195,000 survivors at 16.97%.

Deep Cameo specimens are remarkably scarce, with only 28,000 survivors representing just 2.44% of the proof mintage.

The survival distribution clearly shows circulation strikes dominate existing populations. However, special proof designations like Deep Cameo remain considerably rarer. These survival figures directly impact current market values and collector demand.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1959 Dime Value

Determining your 1959 dime’s value doesn’t require expert knowledge. Start by checking the mint mark location on the reverse. Look for any visible wear on Roosevelt’s portrait and the torch bands. Examine the coin’s overall condition under good lighting. Professional grading provides the most accurate assessment.

However, you can get instant estimates using modern technology. The CoinValueChecker App simplifies this process significantly. Simply photograph your coin and receive immediate value information based on current market data.

 

1959 Dime Value Guides

• 1959 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)– Standard circulation strike produced at the Philadelphia Mint with no identifying mint mark
• 1959-D (Denver)– Circulation strike bearing the “D” mint mark, representing the highest mintage of 1959
• 1959 Proof– Specially struck collector coin with mirror-like fields and sharp details
• 1959 CAM (Cameo)– Proof coin featuring frosted devices contrasting against mirror-like backgrounds
• 1959 DCAM (Deep Cameo)– Premium proof specimen with pronounced contrast between deeply frosted designs and highly reflective fields

The 1959 dime series offers collectors diverse options across circulation and proof categories. Philadelphia and Denver facilities produced over 250 million circulation strikes for commerce.

Meanwhile, proof coins were exclusively minted in Philadelphia for collectors. The standard proof provides excellent quality, while Cameo and Deep Cameo designations represent progressively rarer specimens. These special designations depend on the contrast quality between frosted design elements and mirror surfaces.

Deep Cameo examples are particularly scarce, making them highly sought after by advanced collectors building specialized Roosevelt dime sets.

 

1959 No Mint Mark Dime Value 

The Philadelphia Mint produced over 85 million 1959 dimes without mint marks. These coins are readily available in circulated grades. Most examples show typical wear from commerce.

High-grade specimens become scarce above MS64 condition. Finding coins with Full Bands designation proves challenging. Only a few hundred examples reach MS67 grade. Premium specimens with sharp torch details are particularly rare.

The highest recorded auction sale reached $2,880 in August 2019. This exceptional MS67+ Full Bands example demonstrated superior strike quality. The specimen displayed complete band separation and outstanding preservation.

Historical auction data shows pricing trends across different grades and years.

Market activity reflects consistent collector interest throughout recent months.

 

1959-D Dime Value 

The Denver Mint struck the highest number of Roosevelt dimes between 1947 and 1960. Production reached 164,919,790 pieces in 1959. This massive mintage makes circulated examples widely available today.

Most 1959-D dimes remain common through MS64 grades. Values increase dramatically with Full Bands designation. This designation requires complete separation of the horizontal bands across the torch. Finding specimens above MS67 with Full Bands becomes genuinely challenging.

The highest auction record stands at $5,288 in November 2018. This MS68 Full Bands example represents the finest known specimen. No higher grades exist for this variety. Standard MS68 examples without Full Bands reached $1,320 in August 2018, showing the significant premium that superior strike quality commands.

Historical auction records demonstrate how different grades and strike qualities perform over time.

Monthly market activity indicates steady collector demand for this Denver issue throughout the year.

 

1959 Proof Dime Value 

Philadelphia produced 1,149,291 proof dimes in 1959 exclusively for collectors. These coins feature mirror-like fields and sharp design details. Standard proof examples remain fairly common through PR68 grades. Specimens grading PR69 or higher become genuinely scarce.

The highest auction record for standard proofs reached $300 in documented sales. While this may seem modest compared to circulation strikes, it reflects the relatively common nature of standard proof examples.

Proof coins without Cameo or Deep Cameo designations are readily available to collectors at accessible price points.

Historical auction data illustrates pricing performance across different grades over the years.

Market activity shows consistent collector interest in these proof specimens throughout recent months.

 

1959 CAM Dime Value 

Cameo proof dimes feature noticeable contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields. This designation requires light to moderate frosting on Roosevelt’s portrait and the torch. The 1959 CAM represents a middle tier between standard proofs and Deep Cameo specimens. About 17% of proof dimes achieve Cameo designation.

Finding examples in PR68 grades becomes challenging. PR69 specimens are genuinely scarce. Early proof production in 1959 struggled to maintain consistent cameo contrast. Only examples with fresh dies achieved this frosted appearance.

The highest auction record reached $660 in October 2020. This PR69 Cameo example demonstrated superior surface quality and contrast. The price reflects strong collector demand for high-grade Cameo proofs from the late 1950s era.

Historical auction records reveal pricing patterns across different grade levels over time.

Market activity demonstrates steady collector interest in these Cameo specimens throughout the year.

 

1959 DCAM Dime Value 

Deep Cameo proofs display dramatic contrast between heavily frosted designs and deeply reflective fields. This designation requires maximum frosting on both obverse and reverse. Only about 2.4% of 1959 proofs survive with Deep Cameo surfaces. These specimens represent the technical peak of proof production quality.

PR68 Deep Cameo examples are scarce. PR69 specimens are exceptionally rare. Early proof minting techniques made achieving consistent Deep Cameo contrast extremely difficult. Fresh dies and precise striking conditions were essential requirements.

The highest auction record stands at $5,980 in July 2004. This PR69 Deep Cameo example represents the finest known designation. The substantial premium over standard proofs and Cameos reflects exceptional scarcity and visual appeal.

Historical auction data shows pricing performance for Deep Cameo designations across different grades.

Market activity indicates consistent demand for these premium Deep Cameo specimens throughout recent months.

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

 

Rare 1959 Dime Error List

While 1959 dimes were produced in massive quantities, certain minting errors make specific examples valuable to collectors. These varieties resulted from manual die preparation processes at the Denver Mint. Error coins command premiums above standard issues.

1. 1959-D/D D/Inverted D FS-501

This error displays the “D” mintmark punched initially in an inverted position. The mint worker then corrected it with a properly oriented “D” strike.

Close examination reveals remnants of the inverted mintmark beneath the final impression. This occurred when the punch was held upside down during the first attempt.

The error appears on both standard strikes and Full Bands specimens. Examples exist across various grades from circulated to mint state.

The highest recorded auction reached $264 for an MS67 example in December 2017, demonstrating collector interest in this distinctive variety.

2. 1959-D/D RPM (FS-503 And FS-504)

Repunched mintmark errors show the “D” struck multiple times in slightly different positions. FS-503 displays the secondary impression shifted in one direction. FS-504 shows the repunching shifted northward from the primary strike.

These occurred when mint workers attempted to correct weak or misaligned initial strikes. Both varieties exist in standard and Full Bands conditions. Collectors particularly value high-grade specimens with clear repunching visibility.

An MS67 Full Bands FS-504 example reached $1,180 in October 2020, establishing the highest auction record for 1959-D repunched mintmark varieties.

 

Where To Sell Your 1959 Dime?

Ready to sell your 1959 dime? We’ve compiled comprehensive information on the best selling platforms available. Each option offers unique advantages for different seller needs. Check out our detailed guide on Best Places To Sell Coins Online for pros, cons, and expert recommendations.

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

 

1959 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1959 Dime

1. How much is a 1959 No Mint Mark worth?

A 1959 Philadelphia dime’s value depends on condition. Circulated examples are worth around $2.00 to $4.00 based on silver content. Uncirculated specimens range from $4.00 to $27.00 in standard grades.

High-grade examples with Full Bands designation command significant premiums. An MS67+ Full Bands specimen sold for $2,880 at auction, representing the finest known examples.

2. Are 1959 dimes made of silver?

Yes, all 1959 Roosevelt dimes contain 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition was standard for U.S. dimes from 1946 through 1964. Each coin weighs 2.5 grams with a diameter of 17.9 millimeters.

The silver content alone provides a base melt value of approximately $2.80, making every 1959 dime worth more than face value.

3. Is a 1959 dime worth any money?

Every 1959 dime has value exceeding its ten-cent face value due to silver content. Common circulated examples are worth $2.00 to $4.00. Mint state specimens range from $4.00 to $27.00.

Proof versions average $13.25, while Deep Cameo proofs can reach $224.60. High-grade examples with exceptional strike quality or error varieties command substantially higher premiums at auction.