1971 Dime Value (Errors List, “D” , “S” & No Mint Mint Mark Worth)

The 1971 Roosevelt dime represents a intersection of numismatic history and collector opportunity, marking the sixth year of America’s transition from precious metal coinage to modern clad composition.

Current market estimates place uncirculated 1971 dimes at $3.58 or more in mint condition, with proof examples ranging from 15 cents in average condition up to $33 for high-grade specimens. The true lies in specialized varieties—particularly Full Bands examples that can command values exceeding $1,000.

From Philadelphia’s lower-mintage business strikes to Denver’s superior striking quality and San Francisco’s collector-focused proofs, understanding 1971 Dime Value requires examining the unique characteristics that transform ordinary pocket change into sought-after numismatic treasures.

 

1971 Dime Value By Variety

This table shows the current market values for different varieties of 1971 Roosevelt dimes across various condition grades. 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 1971 Dime Worth Money

Looking at the 1971 dime market trends from 2002 to present, we see a clear stratification based on grade and mint mark.

The exponential value increases at higher grades, particularly MS-67 and above. This demonstrates the concept of condition rarity – while millions of 1971 dimes were minted, finding specimens in superb uncirculated condition becomes exponentially difficult. The jump from MS-64 ($105) to MS-67 ($575-$999) illustrates how even minor grade improvements can triple or quadruple values in modern coins.

Denver mint coins (1971-D) consistently command higher premiums than Philadelphia strikes, despite having a larger mintage of 377 million versus 162 million. This counterintuitive pattern often occurs when Denver coins were better preserved in rolls or when Philadelphia coins saw heavier circulation in major metropolitan areas.

The proof coins (1971-S) occupy a middle tier, which is typical since proofs were specifically made for collectors and survived in higher grades more frequently.

 

History of The 1971 Dime

The 1971 Roosevelt dime marks the 25th anniversary of one of the nation’s most enduring coin designs. The Roosevelt dime series began in 1946 as a tribute to President Franklin D. Roosevelt following his death in April 1945, specifically honoring his connection to the March of Dimes organization that he helped establish to combat polio—a disease he personally battled.

Created by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, the Roosevelt dime went into circulation on January 30, 1946—what would have been Roosevelt’s 64th birthday. By 1971, this design had already served well beyond the legally required 25-year minimum for coin designs, demonstrating its enduring appeal and the continued reverence for Roosevelt’s legacy.

The 1971 dime emerged during a transformative period in American coinage history. By 1971, the composition had been permanently changed from 90% silver to copper-nickel clad, a transition that began in 1965 due to rising silver prices. This represented a fundamental shift in American monetary policy, making the 1971 dime part of the first generation to be struck entirely in base metals throughout its production run.

Against this backdrop of social and political change, the steady production of Roosevelt dimes provided a sense of continuity, carrying forward the memory of the president who had guided America through the Great Depression and World War II.

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

 

Is Your 1971 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 1971 Dime

The 1971 Roosevelt dime stands as a remarkable example of post-silver American coinage, representing the maturation of clad coin technology and embodying six years of refined production techniques following the compositional revolution of 1965.

The Obverse Of The 1971 Dime

The obverse showcases Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stately left-facing profile, with “LIBERTY” elegantly inscribed along the left rim of the coin, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears positioned below Roosevelt’s chin in measured lettering. The date “1971” is precisely placed at the lower right, near the base of Roosevelt’s neck, while designer John R.

Sinnock’s distinctive initials “JS” remain subtly positioned at the bust truncation—a placement that had sparked Cold War conspiracy theories in the series’ early years but had long since become an accepted design signature.

The Reverse Of The 1971 Dime

The reverse features Sinnock’s enduring symbolic arrangement with a torch prominently displayed in the center, flanked by an olive branch to the left representing peace and an oak branch to the right symbolizing strength. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs gracefully across the top of the coin, while “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is distributed across the lower portion of the design, creating a balanced compositional flow that has proven timeless.

For 1971 dimes, mint marks appear on the obverse rather than reverse—a transition that occurred in the late 1960s. Philadelphia issues bear no mint mark, Denver specimens display a small “D” beneath Roosevelt’s neck, while San Francisco proof coins feature an “S” in the same location. 

Other Features Of The 1971 Dime

The 1971 Roosevelt dime maintains precise specifications of 17.91 millimeters in diameter and 2.27 grams in weight, with a thickness of 1.35 millimeters. Its revolutionary clad composition consists of a pure copper core sandwiched between outer layers of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, creating the distinctive “sandwich” structure that eliminated precious metal content while maintaining electrical properties crucial for vending machine compatibility.

The coin features a reeded edge with 115 individual reeds, providing both security against counterfeiting and tactile identification for the visually impaired.

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

 

1971 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Denver’s dominant production of nearly 378 million pieces compared to Philadelphia’s 163 million represents a strategic shift in mint operations during this period, as the Treasury Department responded to regional coin shortages and optimized distribution networks. As Denver issues paradoxically command higher premiums despite their larger mintage—a phenomenon driven by superior preservation rates and reduced circulation wear in western markets.

The San Francisco facility’s exclusive focus on proof production, yielding just over 3.2 million specimens, demonstrates the Mint’s deliberate segmentation between commercial and collector markets. The survival data reveals: while business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver remain largely undocumented in terms of survival rates, the proof issues show remarkable preservation patterns.

Most significantly, the Deep Cameo proof population represents the apex of 1971 dime preservation, with over 1.3 million specimens achieving this coveted designation—a testament to both improved proof production techniques and the growing sophistication of 1970s collectors who recognized and preserved these superior strike qualities.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1971 Dime Value

1971 Dime Value Guides

1971 No Mint Mark Dime Value

Throughout the 1970s, Philadelphia consistently produced fewer dimes than usual, reversing the traditional pattern where Philadelphia served as the primary production facility. While common in lower grades and easily found in circulation, the issue becomes genuinely scarce at MS66 and higher, with MS67 representing the finest known grade and only a few examples existing in that condition.

The most defining characteristic lies in the torch bands designation: Full Bands examples are exceptionally rare regardless of grade, with fewer than two dozen specimens known displaying complete horizontal separation on the torch bands across all grades combined. This scarcity commands values exceeding $1,000 according to auction sales, stemming from Philadelphia’s die production issues during this period, when worn master dies and suboptimal press settings resulted in consistently weak strikes that failed to fully develop the intricate torch detail.

Recent sales demonstrate collector demand across multiple grading tiers.

 

1971-D Dime Value

The 1971-D Roosevelt dime marks Denver’s fourth year of clad production, establishing the western facility’s reputation for superior striking quality over Philadelphia.

Denver’s massive production provided enhanced error discovery potential, while the mint demonstrated markedly better strike quality and eye appeal, with sharper Roosevelt hair detail and more complete band separation. This technical superiority created the foundation for Denver’s legendary excellence in Roosevelt dime production throughout the early clad era.

This superior production quality directly translates into today’s market performance, with auction records reaching $998.75 for a MS67FB specimen at Heritage Auctions. The coin becomes scarce only in MS66+ condition, with MS67 examples being definitively scarce and no MS68 specimens known. 

Recent sales showcase grade-sensitive pricing across major auction platforms.

 

1971-S Proof Dime Value

The 1971-S Proof Roosevelt dime contains a flawless, glossy finish and does not contain silver, marking it as part of the post-1965 clad composition era that had fully established itself by 1971.

Current market values range from $0.15-$0.33 for average condition examples to up to $33.33 for certified mint state specimens, with a PR69 example achieving an auction record of $83 in March 2012. The set is described as “easy and affordable to assemble in high grade” making it “a great entry-level project for those interested in 10-cent pieces”.

Below are the historical auction results for the 1971 Proof Dime at major auction houses.

This chart shows the market activity trends for the 1971 Proof Dime over the past year, tracking collector interest fluctuations.

 

1971-S CAM Dime Value

The Cameo designation represents a specific technical achievement in proof striking, where coins exhibit a light to moderate frosting of all the devices on both sides of the coin, with recessed areas displaying the same amount of frosting without any breaks or reflective patches of brilliance.

The 1971-S CAM dimes show consistent frosting across Roosevelt’s portrait and the reverse torch design, commanding significant premiums with a PR69 CAM example achieving an auction record of $219 in January 2005. This represents a 164% premium over regular PR69 proofs, with mid-grade CAM examples typically ranging $15-50 based on condition.

This visualization tracks the premium pricing evolution patterns for Cameo-designated 1971-S proof dimes across various certification levels.

This graph illustrates the market engagement levels for enhanced contrast 1971-S Cameo proof dimes throughout the collection period.

 

1971-S DCAM Dime Value

Deep Cameo specimens represent the pinnacle of 1971-S proof dime production, achieving the most dramatic difference between heavily frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields.

Market availability shows these coins are “fairly easy to obtain up to about PR68 Deep Cameo condition” but “only in PR69 Deep Cameo or higher is it scarce”, creating a critical grading threshold where values dramatically increase.

Current pricing reflects this scarcity pattern with PR68 DCAM examples valued at $25-45, PR69 DCAM specimens commanding $75-150+ depending on eye appeal, and premium PR70 DCAM pieces reaching $200-500+. This represents a 300-400% premium over regular proofs in high grades, with high-grade examples being “even more difficult to find than quarters issued in the 1960s”.

This analysis presents the valuation trajectory and competitive bidding results for Deep Cameo 1971-S proof dimes in the numismatic marketplace.

Here’s the market activity data.

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

 

Rare 1971 Dime Error List

Here are the most common 1971 dime errors:

1. Off-Center Strike Error

Off-center strikes occur when the part of the design is missing because the blank wasn’t properly centered during the minting process. The error occurs when planchets fail to seat correctly in the collar die—as the hammer die descends, the planchet shifts position, causing the design to strike only a portion of the blank metal disc.

The value ranges from $20-$200+ depending on how far off-center, with 50%+ off-center strikes with full date potentially worth much more. Values depend on the degree of the off-center strike but can reach $10-$20 per coin for typical examples.

2. Broadstrike Error

Broadstrike errors occur when the coin was struck without the collar, causing it to spread wider and flatter than normal specifications. Roosevelt dimes that exhibit a broad strike error will always have a smooth rim, caused when the collar die fails during striking, with images on the obverse and reverse often “expanding” or stretching out to create a slightly misshapen coin.

The 1971 examples are distinctive because they maintain Roosevelt’s portrait and the torch design but in distorted proportions, creating fascinating specimens that showcase the minting process malfunction. Current market values for broadstrike 1971 dimes range from $20-$100+, though typical values lay in the $5-$10 range for standard broadstrike examples.

3. Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchet errors show a portion of the coin that looks like it was “clipped off” when the blank was cut improperly during the planchet preparation process. Caused by a misfeed in the minting process, clipped planchet dimes will exhibit a missing section that is often elliptical shaped.

The missing metal creates distinctive curved or straight-edge clips that can affect Roosevelt’s profile or the reverse torch design depending on the clip’s location. Market values for clipped planchet 1971 dimes range from $15-$100+ depending on the size of the clip.

Larger, more dramatic clips command higher premiums, especially when they create visually striking effects while still maintaining enough of the design for positive identification of the date and mint mark.

 

Where to Sell Your 1971 Dime?

Now that you’ve determined your coins’ worth, are you wondering about the best online platforms to sell them? I’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to these websites, complete with detailed descriptions, advantages, and drawbacks.

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

 

1971 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about 1971 Dime

1. What’s the difference between regular 1971-S proofs and Deep Cameo versions?

Regular 1971-S proofs have uniform surfaces throughout, while Cameo proofs show light frosting on raised designs against mirror backgrounds. Deep Cameo proofs display dramatic contrast with heavily frosted portraits and torch against deeply reflective fields. Regular proofs trade for $2-35, Cameos for $15-50, while Deep Cameos command $75-500+ in top grades due to their visual appeal and relative scarcity.

2. Are Full Bands 1971 dimes really that rare and valuable?

Yes, Full Bands 1971 dimes showing complete horizontal separation on all torch bands are extremely scarce regardless of mint. Fewer than two dozen Philadelphia examples are known across all grades, with values exceeding $1,000. Even Denver’s superior striking produced very few Full Bands specimens. This rarity stems from worn dies and suboptimal press settings that consistently failed to fully develop the intricate torch details.

3. What 1971 dime errors should I watch for and what are they worth?

Look for off-center strikes ($20-200+), broadstrike errors with smooth rims ($5-100+), and clipped planchets with missing sections ($15-100+). Double die varieties showing doubled lettering or design elements can be worth $25-550+. The Denver mint’s high production created more error opportunities, while the severity and visual impact of each error determines its collector value.