1970 Dime Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

Are you holding a 1970 Roosevelt dime and wondering if it’s just pocket change — or something a collector would pay real money for?

You’re not alone. Most 1970 dimes are worth exactly their face value. But a small number of them — those with the right error, the right grade, or the rare Full Bands designation — can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

This guide covers everything: mintage numbers, value by variety and grade, the famous 1970 No S proof error, Full Bands explained for beginners, and a full error list with real auction prices.

Let’s find out exactly how much your 1970 dime is worth.

 

1970 Dime Value By Variety

This chart shows current market prices for every 1970 Roosevelt dime variety, from well-worn circulated examples to certified gem-quality specimens. Use it to quickly locate your coin’s value range before diving into the detailed guides below.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Value (1946-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1970 Dime Worth Money

The price jump from MS-65 to MS-69 is dramatic for 1970 dimes. That’s because the clad composition — a copper core wrapped in a nickel-copper alloy — picks up contact marks very easily, making truly perfect survivors extremely rare.

The 1970 No Mint Mark dime’s MS-69 record of $6,038 (Heritage Auctions, 2004) shows what’s possible. Over 345 million were struck, yet achieving perfection in that clad metal was nearly impossible under normal mint and handling conditions.

Interestingly, proof designations (PR-65 through PR-69) often trade at lower prices than their business-strike counterparts. This seems backward, but it happens because proof coins were carefully preserved from day one, meaning high-grade survivors are more plentiful and less scarce.

 

History of the 1970 Roosevelt Dime

The Roosevelt dime has been in continuous production since 1946, making it one of the longest-running coin designs in U.S. history.

The coin was created to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died on April 12, 1945 after a long battle with polio. Roosevelt had personally supported the March of Dimes — an organization whose very name referenced the 10-cent piece — making the dime the obvious denomination for his memorial coin.

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock was tasked with designing the coin. Much of the detailed work was actually carried out by his assistant, Gilroy Roberts, who would later become chief engraver himself. The Roosevelt dime entered circulation on January 30, 1946, what would have been Roosevelt’s 64th birthday.

Early Roosevelt dimes were struck in 90% silver. That changed with the Coinage Act of 1965, which eliminated silver from circulating dimes, quarters, and half dollars due to rising silver prices and widespread hoarding of the older coins. From 1965 onward, dimes were struck in a copper-nickel clad composition — the same metal used today.

From 1965 to 1967, the Mint removed mint marks from all coins to discourage hoarding and speculative collecting. Mint marks returned in 1968 — “D” at Denver and “S” at San Francisco for proof coinage. Philadelphia continued striking coins without a mint mark until 1980, when the “P” mark was introduced.

The year 1970 was notable for another reason: it was the first full year that Mary T. Brooks served as U.S. Mint Director. Appointed by President Nixon in March 1969, Brooks oversaw a period of significant facility transition at the Philadelphia Mint as it moved from its third to its fourth building. That transition contributed directly to the below-average strike quality seen on many 1970 Philadelphia dimes.

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

 

Is Your 1970 Dime Rare?

For detailed information about your coin’s specific variety and current market value, our CoinValueChecker App provides the accurate rarity and value assessment for your coins.

 

Key Features of the 1970 Dime

Knowing exactly what to look at on your 1970 dime can make the difference between spotting a $10 coin and a $6,000 one. Here’s a breakdown of the design features and physical specifications.

The Obverse of the 1970 Dime

The obverse shows a left-facing portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which takes up most of the coin’s surface. Sinnock developed the portrait using photographs and his own sketches of the president.

The word LIBERTY runs along the inner rim on the left side, and IN GOD WE TRUST appears toward the bottom left in smaller letters. Below Roosevelt’s neck truncation you will find the date, followed by the initials “JS” for John Sinnock — which briefly caused public controversy when some believed they stood for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

The mint mark (D or S) appears on the obverse directly above the “0” in the date 1970. Philadelphia coins carry no mint mark.

The Reverse of the 1970 Dime

The reverse is more detailed. A central torch symbolizes liberty, flanked by an olive branch on the left (peace) and an oak branch on the right (strength).

The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (Latin for “out of many, one”) runs horizontally across the design. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs around the top, and ONE DIME appears at the bottom.

The horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the torch are critical to value. When these bands show complete, sharp separation, the coin earns the Full Bands (FB) designation from PCGS or the Full Torch (FT) designation from NGC — and that can multiply its value dramatically. We’ll explain this in detail in the sections below.

Other Features of the 1970 Dime

The 1970 dime has a pure copper core with an outer layer composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Based on November 2025 metal prices, the melt value of this clad composition is approximately 2.5 cents — well below face value.

The coin is reeded (has ridged edges), measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter, and weighs 2.27 grams. These specs have been consistent across all clad Roosevelt dimes since 1965.

Three mints struck dimes in 1970: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S, proof only). Combined, they produced well over 1.1 billion dimes that year.

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

 

1970 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Denver’s 754,942,100 pieces and Philadelphia’s 345,570,000 pieces together represented a deliberate response to persistent coin shortages. Those shortages were a direct consequence of the 1965 Coinage Act — when silver was removed from dimes, the older 90% silver coins quickly disappeared from circulation as people hoarded them.

The 1970 United States Uncirculated Mint Set is where most high-grade business strike examples originate. These sets, sold for $2.50 each, contained one circulating coin from each working mint. For collectors, the star attraction in the 1970 set was actually the 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar — the last 40% silver Kennedy half dollar struck for circulation. The clad dime from the same set was considered secondary.

San Francisco proof dimes show a very different survival pattern. The DCAM (Deep Cameo) examples have a 42.5% documented census survival rate — roughly 1.1 million surviving from 2.6 million minted. Circulation strikes, by contrast, have no meaningful census documentation because they’ve spent decades in pocket wear and commercial exchange.

The large documented DCAM population actually reflects how seriously collectors treated proof sets in 1970. Many were immediately stored in albums or safe deposit boxes, producing the high survival numbers you see today.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1970 Dime Value

1970 Dime Value Guides

1970 No Mint Mark Dime Value

Philadelphia struck 345,570,000 dimes in 1970 — a significant drop from the billion-coin outputs of the late 1960s “date freeze” era. The lower mintage reflected stabilizing coin demand as the hoarding crisis from the silver transition eased.

The bigger story, though, is strike quality. The Philadelphia Mint was in the middle of transitioning between its third and fourth facility buildings during this period. The disruption showed in the coins: neither PCGS nor NGC has certified a single 1970 Philadelphia dime above MS-66 with Full Bands designation. As of the November 2024 PCGS census, the top populations stand at just one MS-67+ and two MS-66 FB examples total.

CoinWeek authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker have noted that a potential MS-67 FB or FT example could theoretically command more at auction than a 1970 No-S Proof in the same grade — a striking statement about condition rarity for this common date. A confirmed MS-66 FB example sold for $2,295 on eBay on August 7, 2018.

In circulated grades, Philadelphia no-mint-mark examples are worth face value. MS-65 certified examples routinely sell for under $10. MS-67 examples — of which only about 14 have been certified by NGC — have sold for $85 to $120 in recent years.

The 1970 no mint mark dime’s market performance reveals extreme condition sensitivity across certified grades.

1970 Reverse of 1968 Dime Value

The 1970 Reverse of 1968 variety is one of the most unusual die management stories in modern coinage. During the late 1960s, the San Francisco Mint produced special high-relief proof dies with deeply carved design details — meant exclusively for proof production. When those dies were later used on Philadelphia business-strike planchets in 1970, an unintended variety was born.

The diagnostic feature is a distinctive torch flame: two prominent valleys cut at approximately 45-degree angles within the flame tip. Standard 1970 reverses show shallow, weak flame details by comparison. That deep flame definition was engineered for cameo contrast in proof production, not for circulation coinage.

Population data shows just a single MS-66 FB example has ever been certified — the finest known. High-grade examples have achieved $1,600 in MS-65+FB and $3,000 in MS-66 FB at auction.

Approximately 10% of 1970 Philadelphia dimes are estimated to carry the Reverse of 1968 die, making them far less common than the Denver version of the same variety.

 

1970-D Dime Value

The Denver Mint struck 754,942,100 dimes in 1970 — the highest production of any Roosevelt dime variety that year and a remarkable output driven by Denver’s expanded capacity during Philadelphia’s facility transition.

Despite that enormous number, finding a pristine example is harder than you’d think. PCGS notes that MS-66 examples are “somewhat challenging” to locate, MS-67 specimens are “difficult to find” with possibly only hundreds in existence, and MS-68 is “almost unheard of” with fewer than a dozen known.

Full Bands examples from Denver are described by PCGS as “a diamond in the rough” — very scarce in any condition. The auction record for the 1970-D stands at $646 for an MS-68 example sold at Heritage Auctions on December 4, 2014.

Circulated examples are worth $0.15 to $0.35. MS-66 specimens command modest premiums around $15, well below comparable Philadelphia grades (approximately $75). This pricing gap reflects collector preference for lower-mintage Philadelphia examples despite their similar scarcity in top grades.

Recent sales demonstrate the modest premiums commanded by Denver-minted specimens across different grade levels.

1970-D Reverse of 1968 Dime Value

Denver’s version of the Reverse of 1968 variety came about the same way as Philadelphia’s — leftover 1968-S proof reverse dies were repurposed for business-strike production when additional dies were needed to meet production demands.

The diagnostic characteristics are identical to the Philadelphia version: deeply carved flame valleys at 45-degree angles in the torch tip. But the Denver version is far more common within its mintage. Collector surveys estimate roughly 30% of 1970-D dimes carry the Reverse of 1968 die — translating to approximately 226 million potential examples from the 754.9 million total.

Despite its relative frequency, high-grade certified examples are still scarce. An MS-66 example designated “Top Pop” sold for $335 at an eBay auction in June 2018, representing the finest certified specimen at that time.

Historical sales data captures the premium variability for this transitional reverse variety across certification levels.

 

1970-S Proof Dime Value

The San Francisco Mint produced 2,632,810 proof dimes in 1970, sold exclusively in official U.S. Mint Proof Sets. These coins were never released into general circulation.

Proof coins are struck using specially polished dies and prepared planchets, creating highly reflective mirror-like fields and sharp frosted design elements. The standard 1970-S proof has mirrored fields but lacks the dramatic frosting that defines Cameo and Deep Cameo grades — so the contrast between the devices (raised images) and the background fields is relatively subtle.

Standard 1970-S proofs are common and affordable. A PF-69 graded example typically sells for around $8. These coins are a good entry point for collectors building a Roosevelt dime proof set on a budget.

Sales demonstrate the narrow value range for top-tier certified proofs.

Monthly activity for the 1970-S proof dime throughout the past year.

 

1970-S CAM Dime Value

CAM stands for Cameo (CAM) — a grading designation awarded by PCGS and NGC when frosted, white raised design elements stand in sharp contrast against mirror-like field backgrounds. Think of it like a cameo brooch: the portrait pops against a shiny background.

Roosevelt dimes predating the mid-1970s that earn Cameo contrast are significantly more valuable than standard proofs. After the mid-1970s, the Mint’s improved die preparation techniques made Cameo and Deep Cameo finishes routine — but in 1970, achieving true cameo contrast was far from guaranteed.

Only 119 specimens have been certified at PR-67 CAM, 387 at PR-68 CAM, and 906 at the finest graded PR-69 CAM — with no PR-70 CAM examples recorded. The auction record stands at $91 for a PR-69 CAM example sold through David Lawrence Rare Coins in May 2020.

This table presents recent auction results for certified 1970-S CAM dimes.

This chart displays monthly activity for the 1970-S CAM dime over the past year.

 

1970-S DCAM Dime Value

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo — the premium tier above standard Cameo. DCAM coins have the most intense frost on the raised design elements and the deepest mirror polish on the background fields, creating a stark black-and-white visual contrast that many collectors find spectacular.

According to PCGS CoinFacts, the 1970-S Proof Roosevelt Dime is common up to PR-69 Deep Cameo condition. Only PR-70 Deep Cameo specimens are scarcer, though enough examples exist to keep them affordable for most collectors.

The auction record for this variety stands at $288 for a PR-69 DCAM specimen sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2021. Even in top grades, this is one of the most affordable Deep Cameo proof coins in the entire Roosevelt dime series.

This chart displays the historical auction results for this coin across different selling platforms.

This chart shows the monthly interest trends for the 1970-S DCAM Dime.

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

 

Rare 1970 Dime Error List

Most 1970 dimes are common coins not worth a premium in circulated condition. However, several error varieties exist that can significantly increase value — some into the thousands of dollars. Here is what to look for.

1. 1970 No S Proof Dime

This is one of five famous Roosevelt dime “No Mint Mark” errors from the clad era (1968 No-S, 1970 No-S, 1975 No-S, 1982 No-P, 1983 No-S). The 1970 No-S is the second of the series and one of the most sought-after.

During this era, proof dies were prepared at the Philadelphia Mint and then shipped to San Francisco for striking. Mint mark punches were applied manually to individual working dies. When an “S” punch was omitted — or a poorly applied punch was polished away during die finishing — the unmarked die was accidentally shipped and used to produce proof coins.

PCGS estimates approximately 2,200 No-S proof dimes were struck before the error was caught. That represents about 0.08% of total 1970-S proof production. PCGS CoinFacts describes this as similar in scarcity to the 1983 No-S, with roughly 500 total examples known across all grades.

The PCGS auction record stands at $6,038 for a PR-69 CAM example sold at Heritage Auctions on May 5, 2004. Current market values range from approximately $700–$800 for standard proof examples to $1,150 for PR-69 and $3,600 for PR-69 CAM grades.

This coin is notoriously difficult to authenticate because Philadelphia’s circulating no-mint-mark dimes look similar at first glance. Proof versions are identified by their mirror-like fields and sharper detail — always buy this coin in a PCGS or NGC holder.

2. 1970 No Mint Mark DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)

A DDR (Doubled Die Reverse) occurs when a die receives two slightly misaligned hub impressions during its creation — before it ever strikes a single coin. Every coin made from that die then shows doubling in the design elements.

On 1970 Roosevelt dimes, DDR doubling most commonly shows up on the torch, the lettering in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the denomination ONE DIME. Look for notching at letter corners, shadow-like second images on raised elements, or a slight splitting or thickening of design details.

Market values vary widely based on how dramatic the doubling appears. Minor, hard-to-see doubling might add $10–$20 to value. Clearly visible doubling without magnification can fetch $500 or more. Typical examples in average circulated condition sell between $20 and $30. Mint state examples with visible doubling can reach approximately $90 or more.

3. 1970-D DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)

Before 1997, dies required multiple hub impressions to transfer the complete design from the hub to the die. Each impression required reheating the die, and if the die and hub were not perfectly realigned between impressions, a doubled image resulted on the finished die.

Two distinct 1970-D DDR varieties are catalogued by CONECA (the coin error specialists’ organization) and listed in the Fivaz-Stanton reference as FS-801 and FS-802.

The FS-801 variety, which can also earn the Full Bands designation, commands $35–$200 in uncirculated grades. One example achieved $365 at auction. The FS-802 variety is more modestly priced, ranging from $26–$137.50, with an auction high of $225 for an MS-66 specimen sold in May 2019.

 

Where to Sell Your 1970 Dime

After determining what your 1970 dime is worth, you’re probably wondering about the best places to sell. I’ve researched and compiled a guide to the top platforms, outlining their services, pros, and cons.

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

 

1970 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about 1970 Dime Value

1. How much is a 1970 dime worth in circulated condition?

Most circulated 1970 dimes are worth between $0.10 and $0.35 — close to or at face value. Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D) examples in worn condition carry no numismatic premium. San Francisco (S) dimes were only produced as proofs and were never released into circulation, so finding one that looks worn is unusual. The only circulated 1970 dimes worth significantly more are confirmed error coins.

2. What is a 1970 No S dime and how much is it worth?

The 1970 No-S proof dime is an error produced when the “S” mint mark was accidentally left off proof dies destined for the San Francisco Mint. The U.S. Mint estimates about 2,200 were struck, with roughly 500 total known across all grades according to PCGS. Values range from $700–$800 for standard proof grades, $1,150 for PR-69, $3,600 for PR-69 CAM, and the all-time auction record is $6,038 for a PR-69 CAM sold at Heritage Auctions in May 2004.

3. What makes a 1970 dime rare?

With over 1.1 billion combined, 1970 dimes are not rare overall. However, specific exceptions are genuinely scarce: the 1970 No-S proof error (roughly 500 known), Full Bands examples above MS-66 (zero certified by either PCGS or NGC for Philadelphia), and the Reverse of 1968 varieties in top certified grades.

4. What are Full Bands (FB) on a Roosevelt dime and why do they matter?

Full Bands is a strike quality designation awarded by PCGS when the horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the reverse torch show complete, clean separation. NGC uses the similar Full Torch (FT) standard, which also requires defined vertical lines on the torch. Full Bands dimes are valued much higher because most 1970 dimes were weakly struck — the clad composition and high production speeds caused the fine details to flatten. A 1970 Philadelphia MS-66 FB sold for $2,295 in 2018; no example above MS-66 FB has been certified from Philadelphia.

5. How do I tell a 1970 No-S proof dime apart from a regular Philadelphia dime?

Both the No-S proof and the regular Philadelphia business strike lack an “S” mint mark. The key difference is surface quality. Proof coins have deeply mirror-like fields (the flat areas of the coin) where you can almost see a reflection. Business strikes have a softer, more satin-like luster without that intense mirror quality. Proof coins also have sharper, more crisp design edges. Always buy a 1970 No-S proof in a PCGS or NGC certified holder to confirm authenticity.

6. What is the 1970 Reverse of 1968 variety?

The Reverse of 1968 variety occurs when 1968-S proof reverse dies — originally engineered with deeper relief for cameo contrast — were recycled and used on 1970 business-strike coins. The diagnostic feature is a torch flame with two distinctive deep valleys cut at 45-degree angles. On standard 1970 reverses, the flame is much shallower. Philadelphia versions are rarer (about 10% of output), while Denver versions are more common (about 30% of output). The finest Philadelphia Reverse of 1968 in MS-66 FB has sold for $3,000.

7. Is a 1970 dime silver?

No. The U.S. Mint eliminated silver from circulating dimes with the Coinage Act of 1965. All 1970 Roosevelt dimes struck for circulation — at Philadelphia and Denver — are clad coins with a copper core and a 75% copper, 25% nickel outer layer. Their melt value as of late 2025 is approximately 2.5 cents. The only way to own a silver Roosevelt dime from this era is through collector proof sets, which did not include silver dimes in 1970 (silver proof dimes for collectors resumed only in 1992).

8. What is the 1970-D DDR error and how do I identify it?

The 1970-D DDR (Doubled Die Reverse) shows doubled images on the reverse design, most visibly on the torch, lettering, and denomination. Two catalogued varieties exist: FS-801 (the more valuable, with an auction record of $365) and FS-802 (auction high of $225 for MS-66 in May 2019). To identify it, examine the reverse lettering under a loupe for shadow-like secondary images, notching at letter corners, or thickened design elements. Doubling visible to the naked eye commands the highest premiums.

9. How were 1970 dimes stored and where do mint state examples come from?

A majority of high-grade 1970 business-strike dimes come from the 1970 United States Uncirculated Mint Set, which was sold by the Mint for $2.50 and contained one example from each working mint. These sets preserved dimes in relatively good condition compared to circulation finds, but even then, Full Bands examples are extremely scarce because the sets were not produced with collector-grade strike quality as the primary goal. Proof examples were sold in official Proof Sets and were carefully preserved from the start.

10. What is the 2026 dime design, and will Roosevelt dimes increase in value?

The U.S. Mint confirmed that the Roosevelt design is being replaced for 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial). An “Emerging Liberty” design takes over for one year, after which Roosevelt returns in 2027. This is the first time the Roosevelt dime design has been temporarily displaced since 1946. While a one-year design interruption may generate short-term collector interest in 1970s dimes as part of the broader Roosevelt series, value for common dates is unlikely to change meaningfully — the key price drivers remain condition, Full Bands designation, and error status.