1974 Dime Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

That 1974 dime sitting in your pocket might be worth more than you think. While most circulated 1974 dimes are worth just 10 to 50 cents, certain examples can command much higher prices.

Uncirculated specimens can be valued at $2.76 or more, and special proof versions from the San Francisco Mint start around $6. The real treasure hunt begins when you discover rare minting errors or coins with exceptional quality.

Understanding your 1974 dime value comes down to checking the mint mark, examining the condition, and looking for valuable varieties that set certain coins apart from the billion-plus produced that year.

 

1974 Dime Value By Variety

This chart displays the estimated values of 1974 Roosevelt dimes across different mint marks and conditions, ranging from well-circulated pieces to pristine uncirculated and proof specimens.

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 1974 Dime Worth Money

The 1974-S PR70 proof holds the auction record at $2,079, achieved in March 2014, representing the highest price realized for any 1974 dime variety. This record reflects the extreme difficulty of achieving a perfect PR70 grade, where no imperfections are visible under magnification.

The 1974-D MS67 with Full Bands designation reached $1,020 in October 2020, demonstrating substantial premiums commanded by circulation strikes with complete torch band separation.

The pricing structure reveals distinct value drivers across the series. Grade rarity creates the primary value differential for circulation strikes, as most 1974 dimes entered commercial use and sustained wear.

The massive production volumes—exceeding one billion coins across three facilities—ensure abundant supply in lower grades, but populations decline sharply at MS67 and above. Philadelphia strikes present particular challenges, as weak production strikes resulted in no known Full Bands specimens, creating conditional scarcity at premium grade levels.

The proof category operates under different market dynamics. Full Bands Roosevelt dimes can bring multiples of their non-FB counterparts’ values, establishing a premium structure that rewards strike quality beyond basic grade assessment.

This pricing behavior indicates sophisticated collector demand focused on technical excellence rather than simple rarity. The market recognizes production quality as a distinct value component, separate from preservation state or silver content considerations.

 

History of the 1974 Dime

The 1974 Roosevelt dime entered production during a turbulent period in American history marked by significant political and economic upheaval.

The year 1974 was characterized by cultural changes, financial challenges, and political instability, with the Watergate scandal’s aftermath leading to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in August as one of the year’s most pivotal events. This historic political crisis dominated national attention and fundamentally altered public perception of government institutions.

The United States faced serious economic difficulties during this period, particularly high inflation that had been triggered by the 1973 oil crisis. Rising energy prices caused widespread economic uncertainty, impacting everything from national fiscal policies to consumer behavior.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. Mint maintained robust production operations to meet the nation’s currency demands.

By 1974, the Roosevelt dime had been in continuous circulation for twenty-eight years, having become a familiar and reliable component of everyday transactions.

The Mint continued its commitment to quality and craftsmanship while producing coins under the copper-nickel clad composition system that had been adopted to avoid using precious metals, enabling cost-effective production during economically uncertain times.

The 1974 dime production occurred as the nation prepared for its upcoming Bicentennial celebrations. In December 1974, the Mint obtained legislation allowing continued production of 1974-dated pieces until Bicentennial coinage began, reflecting the transitional nature of this year’s coinage.

Production was divided between three facilities: Philadelphia and Denver focused on creating circulation strikes for commercial use, while San Francisco concentrated exclusively on proof coins for collectors.

The 1974 dime served as a tangible connection to this significant period in American history, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of the U.S. Mint during times of economic and political uncertainty.

As the nation navigated through inflation, energy crises, and political scandals, the Roosevelt dime continued its role as dependable pocket change, maintaining the design integrity and functional purpose that had defined the series since its 1946 debut honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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

 

Is your 1974 Dime rare?

CoinValueChecker App is essential for accurately determining the rarity and value of your 1974 dimes, as it provides comprehensive rarity rankings and grading analysis that help distinguish between common circulation strikes and rare high-grade specimens or proof coins that could be worth significantly more than face value.

 

Key Features of the 1974 Dime

The 1974 Dime belongs to the Roosevelt dime series, designed by John R. Sinnock. The 1974 dimes include regular circulation strikes from Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D mint mark), as well as proof coins from San Francisco (S mint mark) produced specifically for collectors.

The Obverse of the 1974 Dime

The obverse displays President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s left-facing profile. “LIBERTY” arcs along the left rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears beneath his chin. The date “1974” and designer’s initials “JS” are positioned at the base of Roosevelt’s neck. The mint mark, when present, appears above the date.

The Reverse of the 1974 Dime

The reverse shows a central torch representing liberty, with an olive branch on the left symbolizing peace and an oak branch on the right representing strength and independence.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” crosses the middle field, and “ONE DIME” appears at the bottom.

Other Features of the 1974 Dime

The coin features a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper center), measuring 17.9 millimeters in diameter, weighing 2.27 grams, with a reeded edge.

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

 

1974 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1974 Roosevelt Dime was produced across three U.S. Mint facilities with a combined mintage exceeding one billion coins. The Denver Mint led production with 571,083,000 dimes bearing the “D” mint mark, reflecting the highest demand for circulation coinage in the western United States that year.

The Philadelphia Mint, which produced coins without a mint mark, struck 470,248,000 dimes, representing the second-largest output. In contrast, the San Francisco Mint produced only 2,612,568 proof dimes exclusively for collectors, featuring special polished dies and planchets with Deep Cameo (DCAM) characteristics.

The survival data reveals a striking disparity between circulation strikes and proof coins. The Denver dimes show approximately 5,710,830 coins surviving from the original 571,083,000 mintage, representing just a 1% survival rate.

This remarkably low percentage reflects the reality that most circulation strikes were heavily used in daily transactions and either wore out, were lost, or remain unaccounted for in general circulation.

In stark contrast, the San Francisco proof dimes demonstrate approximately 2,116,180 surviving specimens from the 2,612,568 originally minted, achieving an impressive 81% survival rate.

This dramatic difference is attributable to proof coins being sold in collector sets and carefully preserved rather than circulated, making them far more likely to remain in excellent condition and be tracked by numismatic populations over the decades.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1974 Dime Value

Determining your 1974 dime’s value starts with identifying the mint mark, which appears just above the date on the obverse side—no mint mark indicates Philadelphia, “D” means Denver, and “S” signifies a San Francisco proof coin.

The coin’s condition or grade is the most critical factor affecting value, ranging from Poor (P-1) for heavily damaged coins to Mint State (MS-65 and higher) for uncirculated specimens.

Using a 10x loupe or magnifying glass, carefully examine your dime for valuable errors such as doubled die obverse (DDO) where “LIBERTY” or the date appears doubled, off-center strikes where part of the design is cut off, or clipped planchets with a curved bite missing from the edge.

A genuine 1974 dime should weigh approximately 2.27 grams, which you can verify with a digital scale, and coins with Full Bands (FB) designation—where the horizontal bands on the torch are sharply defined and fully separated—command significant premiums, especially in higher grades.

Check the overall strike quality by examining Roosevelt’s facial features and hair details on the obverse, as most 1974 dimes were weakly struck due to high-speed production, making well-struck examples scarce and valuable.

Rather than navigating complex grading scales and error charts alone, the CoinValueChecker App simplifies this entire process by instantly identifying your coin’s type, mint mark, condition, and potential errors through a simple photo, making accurate coin valuation accessible to everyone regardless of numismatic expertise.

 

1974 Dime Value Guides

• 1974 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1974-D (Denver)
• 1974-S Proof DCAM (San Francisco)

The 1974 Roosevelt Dime series includes three distinct varieties differentiated by their mint marks and production methods. Philadelphia and Denver facilities produced regular circulation strikes for everyday transactions, with most examples showing typical wear from use.

The San Francisco Mint focused exclusively on proof coins, utilizing polished dies and specially prepared planchets to create specimens with Deep Cameo (DCAM) characteristics—featuring frosted design elements against mirror-like backgrounds. These proof coins were packaged in collector sets rather than released into circulation, resulting in significantly better preservation rates compared to their circulated counterparts.

 

1974 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1974 no mint mark dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of over 470 million coins. In 1974, Philadelphia did not place a mint mark on dimes, so the absence of a mint mark indicates Philadelphia origin. This high production volume makes the coin common in circulation.

Circulated examples typically trade between $0.15 and $0.35, representing minimal premium over face value. The coin’s composition consists of 75% copper and 25% nickel with a pure copper center, standard for post-1964 dimes.

The primary factor affecting value in this issue is strike quality. The 1974 no mint mark dime typically exhibits weak strikes, particularly on the torch bands on the reverse, making Full Bands examples non-existent—no Full Bands specimens are currently known. This striking weakness creates a grade rarity effect in higher conditions.

In MS64 and lower grades, these coins are readily available, while MS65 specimens become scarce but still accessible with searching. MS66 examples are notably scarce, and MS67 grades are extremely difficult to locate, with fewer than two dozen known and no higher grades recorded. Uncirculated specimens can reach $2.76 or higher depending on grade.

Within the Roosevelt dime series, this issue represents a typical clad-era production coin. The massive mintage ensures availability for type collectors and general album fillers, while the striking limitations create challenges for registry set builders pursuing premium grades.

For investment purposes, standard circulated and lower mint state examples offer limited upside. However, the scarcity of MS66 and higher grades provides potential for specimens that achieve these levels, though such coins appear infrequently in the marketplace.

The auction record chart demonstrates price performance across various grades, showing how condition impacts value for this no mint mark issue.

Market activity data indicates ongoing collector interest in quality examples despite the coin’s common status.

 

1974-D Dime Value

The 1974-D dime features a “D” mint mark beneath the date, identifying Denver Mint production with a mintage of 571,083,000. This represents the highest production among all 1974 dime varieties.

Circulated pieces trade at face value, while mint state examples in MS60-63 range from $0.50 to $1.50. Higher grades command increasing premiums: MS65 specimens reach approximately $7, MS66 examples trade around $12, and MS67 pieces can achieve $42.

Denver strikes generally exhibit slightly better quality than Philadelphia in some cases. This technical advantage proves significant for strike-sensitive features.

The torch bands on the reverse—horizontal lines that separate the torch sections—serve as the critical quality indicator. Well-struck specimens showing complete separation across all bands receive premium valuations, while weakly struck examples remain common.

Denver coins with sharp torch details show documented populations of 9 examples at MS66 grade and 4 at MS67 grade. The highest auction record reached $1,020 for a top-grade specimen in 2020. This pricing structure reflects both technical achievement and collector demand for quality within modern clad coinage.

The massive mintage ensures ready availability for general collectors, while superior strike characteristics position Denver coins as preferable to Philadelphia issues for quality-focused buyers. Standard mint state pieces without exceptional strike features remain affordable, typically trading in single-digit dollar amounts through MS65 grades.

For series collectors and registry participants, Denver specimens offer the dual advantage of accessibility and quality potential. The combination of large production numbers and better average strikes creates a balanced collecting opportunity within the 1974 Roosevelt dime series.

Auction records detail historical pricing across grade levels and strike quality variations.

Market activity reflects consistent demand for both standard mint state examples and premium-strike specimens from Denver production.

 

1974-S Proof DCAM Dime Value 

The 1974-S proof dime was struck exclusively for collectors at San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 2,612,568. The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation identifies specimens with heavily frosted design elements against deeply mirrored fields, creating contrast between raised surfaces and backgrounds.

PR69 DCAM examples typically range from $10 to $25 depending on current market demand. PR70 DCAM specimens show higher values, with the auction record reaching $2,079 in March 2014. More recent PR70 sales have occurred around $150.

Strike quality for 1974-S proofs was consistently strong, making PR69 Deep Cameo examples readily available. PR70 Deep Cameo specimens are more difficult to locate but can be found with searching. The PR70 grade indicates no imperfections under magnification, complete strike details, and unmarked surfaces.

Condition factors affecting value include surface hairlines, spotting, and damage from broken proof set packaging. Coins in original packaging with undisturbed surfaces trade at stronger price levels. Contrast intensity varies among DCAM specimens, with stronger cameo effects receiving higher valuations within the same grade.

The substantial mintage provides adequate supply for collectors. The DCAM designation separates specimens with superior contrast from standard proofs. PR69 examples are accessible at moderate prices, while PR70 specimens require higher investment levels due to scarcity at the top grade.

Auction records show pricing across DCAM grade levels from PR69 through PR70.

Market activity reflects ongoing collector demand for these San Francisco proof dimes with deep cameo characteristics.

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

 

Rare 1974 Dime Error List

Manufacturing defects during various production stages create error coins that deviate from standard specifications. While most 1974 dimes entered circulation as regular currency, certain minting errors significantly increase collectible value.

These errors range from striking anomalies to planchet preparation issues, each offering unique characteristics that attract specialist collectors.

1. 1974 Doubled Die Obverse

The doubled die obverse error occurs when the die stamps the design twice in slightly misaligned positions. On 1974 dimes, examine “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date for doubling evidence.

The doubling creates extra lines outlining letters and numbers, producing a shadow effect visible under magnification. Circulated DDO examples typically sell for $5 to $9, while mint state specimens with strong doubling can reach up to $152. Value ranges from $25 to over $150 depending on clarity and condition.

2. 1974 Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is not properly aligned during striking, causing portions of the design to be missing. These errors currently value between $10 and $30, with higher misalignment percentages commanding increased premiums.

The most desirable examples show 40-60% off-center strikes with visible dates. The coins display lopsided appearance where design elements appear cut off or entirely absent. The transcript overlaps with the edge, leaving blank spaces on affected areas.

3. 1974 Multiple Struck

Multiple struck errors result when a coin receives more than one impression from the dies during the striking process. The planchet fails to eject properly after initial striking and receives additional strikes, creating overlapping images.

These errors show doubled or tripled design elements at different positions, depending on how the coin shifted between strikes. Values vary significantly based on the clarity of multiple impressions and overall coin condition. Specimens showing clear separation between strikes command higher premiums than those with minimal displacement.

4. 1974 Major Curved Clip

Curved clip errors occur when blanking dies overlap previously punched holes in the metal strip, resulting in crescent-shaped sections missing from the coin’s edge. Most clipped planchets increase in value with larger and more visible clips. Straight clip errors have sold at auction for $44.

The coin exhibits weakness in design near the rim on the opposite side from the clip, known as the Blakesley Effect. Major curved clips removing substantial portions of the planchet command stronger prices than minor clips.

 

Where to Sell Your 1974 Dime ?

For selling 1974 dimes, collectors have several options depending on the coin’s condition and error status. Professional grading services can authenticate and grade valuable specimens before sale.

Online auction platforms connect sellers with collectors worldwide, while local coin dealers offer immediate transactions. Specialized numismatic auctions handle rare errors and high-grade examples, often achieving premium prices through competitive bidding among serious collectors.

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

 

1974 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About the 1974 Dime

1. Is the 1974 dime made of silver?

No, the 1974 dime is not made of silver. The U.S. Mint discontinued the use of 90% silver in dimes after 1964. All dimes from 1965 onward, including 1974, were made using a copper-nickel clad composition. The 1974 Roosevelt dime is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

2. How much does a 1974 dime weigh?

A genuine 1974 dime should weigh about 2.27 grams. Coins significantly heavier or lighter than this standard weight may indicate planchet errors or damage.

3. What is the “Full Bands” designation?

On Roosevelt dimes, “Full Bands” (FB) or “Full Torch” (FT) refers to the horizontal lines on the torch on the reverse side being fully struck and separated. For a coin to earn the FB/FT designation, these lines must be sharply defined. Full Torch examples are typically more valuable, especially in MS66-MS68 grades.