1973 Dime Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1973 Dime value ranges from $0.10 face value to $7,050. That record was a Grade 70 example sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2014. Upload a photo of yours below for a quick value range based on condition and mint mark. Scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are actually paying right now.

 

1973 Dime Value By Variety

Your 1973 dime’s worth depends on mint mark, strike quality (especially Full Bands), and grade. If you already know the grade, find the exact price in the Value Guides section below.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Value (1946-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1973 Dime Worth Money

The king of the hill is a 1973-S PR70 Deep Cameo that sold for $7,050. Fewer than 1% of all coins submitted to grading services ever hit PR70, so you’re looking at a coin that survived with zero flaws under magnification. That’s what perfection buys you.

The price drop after that top coin is steep. A 1973-D in MS65 brought $1,200, and a Philadelphia piece in just MS62 hit $1,020. Even a 1973-S PR67 pulled $978. I think the takeaway here is simple: condition is everything with this date.

 

History of The 1973 Dime

The 1973 Roosevelt dime rolled off the presses while the Watergate scandal dominated every newscast. These coins changed hands across the country as Americans watched a presidency unravel in real time.

By 1973, the Roosevelt dime series was in its twenty-seventh year. The design honored FDR, who died on April 12, 1945, and recognized his role in co-founding the March of Dimes to fight polio.

These dimes used the clad composition mandated by the Coinage Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 23, 1965. Rising silver prices had made silver coinage unsustainable, so Congress pulled the plug.

The new makeup—copper-nickel outer layers bonded to a pure copper core—created the “sandwich” structure still used today. Flip your 1973 dime on its side and you’ll see that telltale copper stripe along the edge. That’s how you know it’s clad, not silver.

For mint marks, Denver coins carry a “D” and San Francisco proofs show an “S,” both above the date on the obverse. Philadelphia struck coins without any mint mark—a practice that lasted until 1980, when the “P” finally appeared on dimes.

By this point, Americans had spent eight years with base-metal coinage and nobody batted an eye. The silver days were long gone.

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

 

Is Your 1973 Dime Rare?

Without proper evaluation tools, you could easily overlook a rare high-grade specimen or Full Bands variety worth significant money. Download the Coin Identifier and Value App to access instant rarity assessment and accurate pricing data.

 

Key Features of The 1973 Dime

The 1973 Roosevelt dime uses the same design John R. Sinnock introduced in 1946. Here’s what to look for when you’re examining yours.

The Obverse Of The 1973 Dime

Roosevelt’s left-facing portrait fills the obverse with realistic detail. “LIBERTY” runs along the upper left rim, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits below his chin in smaller letters.

The date “1973” appears at the lower right. Look directly above it for the mint mark—”D” or “S” if present. No letter means Philadelphia. Sinnock’s initials “JS” are tucked at the neck truncation, left of the date. Fun fact: when the coin debuted in 1946, some people mistook those initials for a Soviet symbol. Cold War jitters were real.

The Reverse Of The 1973 Dime

Flip it over and you’ll see a flaming torch at center, symbolizing liberty. An olive branch on the left stands for peace; an oak branch on the right represents strength. Both nod to the end of World War II.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” stretches across the field, split by the torch and branches. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the top rim, with “ONE DIME” at the bottom flanked by decorative dots.

Other Features Of The 1973 Dime

The coin measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter, weighs 2.27 grams, and is 1.52 millimeters thick. The edge has 115 reeds—those tiny vertical grooves running all the way around.

The clad composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel on the outer layers, bonded to a pure copper core. Look at the edge and you’ll spot the copper core as a thin orange stripe between the silvery surfaces. That’s the fastest way to confirm your 1973 dime has no silver.

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

 

1973 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Denver led production with 455,032,426 pieces. Philadelphia followed at 315,670,000 circulation strikes. San Francisco made only proofs—about 2,760,339 of them.

Here’s the wild part: only about 1% of those 315 million Philadelphia dimes survived in collectible condition. That’s roughly 3.15 million coins out of a massive run. Decades of pocket change duty wiped out the rest.

Deep Cameo proofs tell the opposite story—an 81% survival rate, with over 2.23 million pieces still around. Collectors bought those proof sets and tucked them away immediately. The Greysheet (Certified Price Guide) assigns CPG® values between $0.30 and $1,250.00 across all 1973 Roosevelt dime varieties.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1973 Dime Value

Check three things on your 1973 dime: mint mark location (above the date on the obverse), overall condition, and whether the torch has Full Bands (FB). Circulated examples usually bring face value to a few bucks. Uncirculated coins grading MS65+ can reach hundreds.

Instead of researching complex grading standards manually, download the Coin Identifier and Value App for instant professional assessment—simply photograph your coin to receive accurate mint mark identification, condition grading, and real-time market pricing based on current auction data.

 

1973 Dime Value Guides

The 1973 Roosevelt dime comes in five collectible varieties from three mints. Values run from face value for worn pocket change up to $7,000+ for flawless proofs.

1973 Dime Categories:

• 1973 No Mint Mark Dime (Philadelphia production with notorious strike weakness)
• 1973-D Dime (Denver issue with superior strike quality)
• 1973-S Proof Dime (San Francisco collector strikes with mirror finishes)
• 1973-S CAM Dime (Cameo designation with moderate frosting contrast)
• 1973-S DCAM Dime (Deep Cameo with dramatic frosting and highest premiums)

Knowing the differences between Philadelphia’s weak strikes, Denver’s better quality control, and San Francisco’s specialized proofs helps you spot the valuable ones hiding in this common-date series.

 

1973 No Mint Mark Dime Value

A 1973 dime graded MS62 once sold for $1,020. That’s a mid-grade Mint State coin—not even gem quality. How does a common Philadelphia dime pull four figures? Strike quality.

No mint mark above the date means Philadelphia. That’s normal for this era—Philly didn’t start using the “P” on dimes until 1980. With 315,670,000 struck, it’s actually the smaller of the two business-strike runs that year, though still a huge number.

Philadelphia dimes from 1973 are notorious for mushy strikes. Mass production took priority over detail, and it shows—especially on Roosevelt’s hair and the torch bands. That’s your cherrypicking opportunity. Over 300 million were made, but sharply struck pieces are genuinely scarce. The ICG population for MS67 FB Philadelphia examples is estimated at 50 or fewer.

That $1,020 sale happened at Heritage Auctions in September 2017. It proves that condition and strike quality can completely override mintage numbers when collectors start bidding.

The auction performance of Philadelphia-struck 1973 dimes reflects the premium collectors place on sharply struck examples.

Market patterns throughout the year reveal consistent collector interest.

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

 

1973-D Dime Value

How many coins does it take to make a rarity? Sometimes 455 million. The 1973-D had the biggest mintage of any variety that year, yet only 12 coins have ever graded MS67 at PCGS. That’s the ceiling—nobody’s cracked MS67+.

Look for the “D” above the date on the obverse. In circulated grades, these are worth face value all day long. Denver generally struck these better than Philadelphia, but Full Bands pieces are still tough to find. An MS67FB sold for $400 on eBay in September 2020.

PCGS population data tells the story at the top end: 75 coins at MS66, just three at MS66+, and those 12 at MS67. Standard MS66 examples trade around $65. Jump to MS67 and you’re at $525. If you’ve got a raw 1973-D with blazing luster, minimal bag marks, and sharp torch bands, it’s worth getting slabbed.

Below are Denver specimens auction prices at major auctions.

The market performance of 1973-D Dime peaked in September 2025.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — unchanged since Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S Proof Dime Value

Don’t assume your 1973-S proof dime is silver. It’s not. The Mint didn’t bring back silver proofs until 1992, so every 1973-S proof is the same copper-nickel clad as the circulation strikes.

San Francisco struck approximately 2,760,339 proof dimes that year, all sold in annual proof sets. None were released for circulation. These were made with polished dies and specially prepared planchets, often struck multiple times for full detail. The result is mirror-like fields and crisp design elements that blow away anything from Philadelphia or Denver.

Population numbers show solid availability at higher grades: 61 coins at PR67, 114 at PR68, and 352 at PR69. A PR67 specimen brought $978 at auction, but most examples sit in the $6 to $8 range across PR67 through PR69. Affordable entry point for new collectors.

Auction results for standard proof specimens demonstrate stable pricing across grades.

Collector market activity remains robust throughout the year.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 3 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S CAM Dime Value

What exactly is “Cameo”? It means the raised design elements—Roosevelt’s portrait, the torch—look frosty white against the shiny mirror background. When that frost is light to moderate, graders call it Cameo (CAM). When it’s heavy and dramatic, it gets bumped to Deep Cameo (DCAM).

Pre-mid-1970s Roosevelt dimes with cameo contrast carry real premiums. Back in 1973, the San Francisco Mint struggled to maintain consistent frosting on the dies. Die preparation techniques hadn’t caught up yet, so Cameo examples are genuinely scarcer than what you’d find from later years when production methods improved.

We think of CAM as the middle child—more desirable than a standard proof, less valuable than a Deep Cameo. All came from that same 2,760,339-piece proof run.

Cameo-designated proofs have established a distinct price tier between standard proofs and Deep Cameo specimens at auction.

The following is a summary of the market activity of the 1973-S CAM Dime coin.

Market activity score: 50/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 7 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1973-S DCAM Dime Value

$14 or $7,050? That’s the spread between a PR69 and a PR70 Deep Cameo. One grade point. Nearly a 100-fold price jump.

The 1973-S DCAM is the trophy coin of the series. Heavy, even frosting on both sides creates that icy-white-on-jet-black contrast collectors chase. At PR69 DCAM, you’ve got 4,784 certified coins—plenty to go around. At PR70 DCAM, only 89 exist. That cliff is what drives the money.

Hitting PR70 means zero flaws visible under 5x magnification. Not a single lint mark, handling scratch, or die imperfection. Everything had to go right—from the die prep to the strike to decades of storage. The record sale of $7,050 happened at Heritage Auctions in January 2014, and I believe top-pop DCAM examples will hold strong as registry set collectors keep competing for them.

Deep Cameo specimens have set impressive records at major auction houses, particularly in perfect PR70 condition.

Market analysis reveals limited but highly competitive bidding activity, driven by advanced collectors pursuing the finest available examples.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 19 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

Rare 1973 Dime Error List

Over 770 million 1973 dimes were struck, and a small number escaped the Mint with defects that make them worth real money. Here’s what to look for when you’re sorting through rolls or checking pocket change.

1. Off-Center Strike Errors

An off-center strike happens when the planchet isn’t seated properly between the dies. Part of the design gets pushed to one side, leaving a blank crescent where metal never got struck.

The feeding mechanism jams or misfires, and the planchet slides in crooked. Minor shifts of 5–10% add a small bump in value. Dramatic 40–60% off-center strikes with the date still showing? Those can bring $10–$50 or more.

Date visibility is the deal-maker. Collectors want to read “1973” clearly despite the error. A well-preserved off-center example in Mint State can top $75 depending on how wild the misalignment looks.

2. Clipped Planchet Errors

You’ll recognize a clip by the crescent-shaped bite missing from the coin’s edge. It happens when the blanking press overlaps a previously punched hole in the metal strip, cutting an incomplete disc.

The rim near the clip looks blunted or unfinished. Minor clips with 5–15% missing metal bring $5–$15. Bigger curved clips missing 20–30% typically sell for $30–$75. Extreme clips with full design details intact go higher, but they’re tough to find.

3. Struck-Through Errors

Grease, dust, metal shavings, cloth fibers—anything that lands on the die or planchet during striking can cause this. The foreign material blocks metal flow, leaving soft or missing details.

Real-world example: a 1973 dime missing the letters “IM” from “ONE DIME” on the reverse. Grease filled the die cavity and prevented those letters from striking up. That type of error typically sells for $5–$7 in lower grades. Bigger struck-through errors covering Roosevelt’s face or the torch can reach $20–$50.

4. Doubled Die Errors (DDO / DDR)

A true Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) happens during die manufacturing, when the hub impresses the die twice at slightly different angles. Every coin from that die shows the same doubling. This is a completely different kind of rare compared to worthless machine doubling.

On 1973 dimes, check “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date under at least 5x magnification. No major blockbuster doubled die has been documented for this date, but minor DDO examples can bring $20–$100 depending on how strong and clear the doubling is.

5. Annealing Errors

Before striking, planchets go through a heat treatment called annealing to soften the metal. When the process goes wrong, metal molecules migrate unevenly toward the surface. The result is dark splotches, mottled patches, or weird color contrasts.

These are minor errors value-wise. Their main appeal is filling out an error type set. If you’re building a collection of different manufacturing defects, an annealing error is a cheap and interesting addition.

6. Missing Clad Layer Errors

When one of the outer nickel-copper layers fails to bond during the strip-making process, you get a planchet with exposed copper on one side. The affected face looks distinctly orange instead of silvery-white.

These are scarce finds. Confirmed examples typically start around $20 and climb from there, especially if the copper core is fully exposed on a well-struck coin. Check both sides of every 1973 dime you handle—the color difference is impossible to miss.

 

Where to Sell Your 1973 Dime?

From local coin shops to online auction platforms, each selling venue offers distinct advantages and potential drawbacks for 1973 dime sellers. Make an informed decision by comparing all your options before listing your coin.

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

 

1973 Dime Market Trend

Market interest: 5,520 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

FAQ about The 1973 Dime

1. Are most 1973 dimes valuable?

Nope. Most circulated 1973 dimes are worth 10 cents. Over 770 million were made. But uncirculated coins grading MS65+ or those with Full Bands (FB) can bring $5 to several hundred dollars. A perfect PR70 DCAM proof hit $7,050.

2. What is Full Bands (FB) and why does it matter?

Full Bands means you can see complete, sharply separated horizontal lines across both sets of torch bands on the reverse. It proves the coin got a strong, well-centered strike. Many 1973 dimes—especially from Philadelphia—came out mushy, so FB pieces are genuinely scarce.

The price difference is real. A 1973-D MS67 FB sold for $400 in September 2020, while a standard MS67 brought $525. In lower grades like MS65, non-FB examples might only bring $20–$30.

3. Does the green discoloration on my 1973 dime affect its value?

Yes, and not in a good way. Green usually means oxidation from humidity, salt, or PVC damage from cheap plastic flips. The copper core in clad coins is prone to this. Grading services will likely assign a “Details” grade instead of a straight numeric grade, which tanks the value.

Original luster without discoloration is always more desirable. Some natural toning can be attractive, but verdigris—that green crusty stuff—is universally bad news.

4. Is the 1973 dime made of silver?

No. Zero silver. The Coinage Act of 1965 pulled silver from all circulating dimes. By 1973, every dime was copper-nickel clad (75% copper, 25% nickel outer layers over a pure copper core). Check the edge—a silver dime shows solid silver-white, while a clad 1973 dime shows that thin orange copper stripe.

Even the 1973-S proof is clad. The Mint didn’t resume silver proof dimes until 1992.

5. What does the “S” mint mark on a 1973 dime mean?

San Francisco Mint, proof only. All 2,760,339 pieces were sold in annual proof sets—none went into circulation. If you find a 1973-S dime, it came from a collector set, which is why most survive in near-perfect shape.

6. How do I tell if my 1973 dime has Full Bands?

Grab a loupe—at least 5x magnification. Look at the torch on the reverse. There are two sets of horizontal bands, one near the top and one near the bottom. On a Full Bands coin, every individual band is a distinct, separate line with clear daylight between them.

On a weak strike, those bands blur together or look flat. Even one merged band disqualifies it from FB. That’s why Full Bands 1973 dimes are scarce, especially Philly strikes.

7. What are Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) 1973 proof dimes worth?

CAM proofs show light to moderate frosting on the raised design against mirror fields. DCAM proofs have heavy, dramatic frosting—that bold black-and-white contrast.

Price-wise: a standard 1973-S proof in PR69 runs about $6–$8. CAM in the same grade gets a modest bump. DCAM in PR69 fetches around $14. But a perfect PR70 DCAM sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions in January 2014. Only 89 coins have ever reached PR70 DCAM at PCGS, which explains the massive premium.

8. What 1973 dime errors should I look for?

The big ones: off-center strikes ($10–$75+ depending on severity and date visibility), clipped planchets ($5–$75 based on clip size), struck-through grease errors ($5–$50), doubled die varieties ($20–$100 for confirmed DDO or DDR), annealing errors (small premiums), and missing clad layer errors ($20+).

Use magnification on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date area for doubling. Check the torch bands for unusual weakness that might point to a struck-through-grease error.

9. How does the 1973 Philadelphia dime compare in rarity to the Denver issue?

Philadelphia had the lower mintage (315,670,000 versus Denver’s 455,032,426), but it’s actually harder to find in top condition with Full Bands. Philly’s production line churned out notoriously weak strikes on the torch bands. PCGS tops out at MS67 for standard Philadelphia examples, and ICG estimates 50 or fewer in MS67 FB. That makes a Philadelphia MS67 FB a genuine conditional rarity of the 1973 clad era.

10. Should I clean my 1973 dime before selling it?

Never. Not with polish, baking soda, vinegar, or anything else. Cleaning destroys original mint luster and the microscopic surface details that PCGS and NGC graders evaluate.

A cleaned coin gets a “Details” grade instead of a straight numeric grade, which crushes market value. Even a common circulated 1973 Philly dime is worth more in original, untouched condition than one that’s been scrubbed shiny.