1976 Dime Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Most Americans dismiss the 1976 Roosevelt dime as ordinary pocket change worth exactly ten cents, yet this Bicentennial-year coin conceals surprising value potential that collectors actively pursue.

Understanding 1976 Dime value requires recognizing the dramatic range between common and collectible examples. Worn circulation strikes remain at face value, while pristine specimens with Full Bands designation can reach $127.67 in top grades, and even standard mint state pieces command $41.50 when properly preserved. This comprehensive guide reveals exactly what distinguishes ordinary circulation finds from premium collector pieces.

 

1976 Dime Value By Variety

The value of these coins varies dramatically across grading scales, from circulated conditions to pristine mint state specimens, demonstrating the critical importance of preservation quality. 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 1976 Dime Worth Money

The market data reveals a clear correlation between grade rarity and value, with the 1976 MS-66 commanding the highest premium at $2,695. This particular grade represents the sweet spot where exceptional quality meets relative scarcity, as coins from this era rarely survive in such pristine condition.

The Denver Mint specimens show interesting patterns, with the 1976-D MS-67 reaching $1,560, demonstrating that superior grades from this facility carry significant premiums. Meanwhile, the San Francisco proof in PR-70 condition holds substantial value at $1,035, appealing to collectors who prioritize perfection in specially-struck coins.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the dramatic value gap between grade levels. For instance, a 1976 MS-68 fetches $1,035, while dropping just two grade points to MS-66 reduces the value to $376 for the Philadelphia issue. This exponential pricing structure reflects the challenge of finding well-preserved examples from circulation-era production.

The chart also illustrates that lower-grade specimens, such as the 1976 MS-58, retain modest premiums primarily for their silver content rather than numismatic significance, making them accessible entry points for beginning collectors.

 

History of The 1976 Dime

The 1976 Roosevelt dime emerged during one of the most patriotic moments in American history—the nation’s Bicentennial celebration marking 200 years of independence. While the United States Mint commissioned special commemorative designs for the quarter, half dollar, and dollar to honor this milestone, Congress deliberately excluded the dime from this redesign initiative, a decision that would ironically enhance its numismatic significance.

This exclusion stemmed from practical and symbolic considerations, as lawmakers authorized special reverse designs only for the three larger denominations. The dime, nickel, and penny were deemed too small for elaborate commemorative imagery, and the Roosevelt design was considered sufficiently dignified to represent American values even during the Bicentennial year.

By 1976, the Roosevelt dime had already undergone its most significant transformation eleven years earlier when the Coinage Act of 1965 mandated the elimination of silver content. The 1976 specimens thus retained the clad composition introduced in 1965—a pure copper core sandwiched between outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing precisely 2.268 grams with a diameter of 17.90 millimeters.

What distinguishes the 1976 dime from its Bicentennial counterparts is precisely its adherence to tradition amid widespread change. While the quarter bore a colonial drummer boy, the half dollar showcased Independence Hall, and the dollar displayed the Liberty Bell with the moon, the dime stood as a testament to continuity and the enduring legacy of Roosevelt’s leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.

This decision to maintain the original design has created an interesting paradox in the collector market. Many novice numismatists mistakenly assume the 1976 dime must be a commemorative special edition due to its year of issue, a misconception that has paradoxically boosted collector interest in high-grade specimens and error coins from this production year.

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

 

Is Your 1976 Dime Rare?

Understanding your 1976 dime’s rarity status requires analyzing multiple variables. Our CoinValueChecker App integrates real-time market data with certified population reports to determine your coin’s scarcity ranking and investment potential.

 

Key Features of The 1976 Dime

The 1976 Roosevelt dime maintains John R. Sinnock’s iconic 1946 design with remarkable consistency. Every design element carries deliberate symbolism reflecting Roosevelt’s legacy and American values forged through the Great Depression and World War II.

The Obverse Of The 1976 Dime

The obverse showcases Roosevelt’s dignified left-facing profile with meticulously detailed hair and facial features, occupying most of the coin’s limited surface area. The inscription “LIBERTY” curves along the left margin, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears compressed in two lines beneath Roosevelt’s chin due to space constraints.

The date “1976” is positioned on the right side, with designer John R. Sinnock’s initials “JS” discreetly placed at the truncation of Roosevelt’s neck. Mint marks “D” or “S” appear directly above the date for Denver and San Francisco issues respectively, while Philadelphia strikes bear no mint mark during this period, as the “P” designation wasn’t introduced until 1980.

The Reverse Of The 1976 Dime

The reverse presents a sophisticated composition centered on a vertical torch symbolizing liberty and enlightenment, flanked symmetrically by botanical emblems of national character. An olive branch extends left representing peace achieved after World War II, while an oak branch on the right signifies strength, endurance, and independence—values essential to the nation Roosevelt led through crisis.

The motto “E • PLURIBUS • UNUM” (Out of Many, One) is inscribed between these symbols with distinctive spacing, the letters appearing somewhat awkwardly separated by the central torch. The legends “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs above in a semicircle, while “ONE DIME” is prominently displayed below, completing the denomination identification required by law.

Other Features Of The 1976 Dime

The coin’s edge features 118 precisely machined reeds, a security measure historically designed to prevent illegal shaving or clipping of precious metal that continues today as an anti-counterfeiting tradition. Physical specifications include a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, making it the smallest U.S. circulating coin, with a thickness of 1.35 millimeters and a mass of 2.27 grams.

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

 

1976 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1976 mintage data reveals a massive circulation-strike production exceeding 1.26 billion pieces, with Denver outpacing Philadelphia by approximately 126 million coins. This substantial output reflects the robust economic activity during America’s Bicentennial year and ensures that ordinary circulated examples remain readily available to collectors at minimal premiums.

The vast disparity between circulation mintages and proof production creates a fascinating value dynamic, despite being numerically scarcer by a factor of over 100, S DCAM proofs often command lower premiums than high-grade circulation strikes, as their intended preservation makes gem examples relatively common.

The survival rate data presents a stark contrast between circulation strikes and collector proofs. While Philadelphia and Denver issues lack documented survival statistics due to their circulation-intended purpose and widespread attrition through daily use.

The San Francisco proof production demonstrates remarkable preservation with an 81% survival rate—3,361,281 pieces from the original 4,149,730 mintage. This exceptionally high survival rate for S DCAM proofs stems from their collector-focused distribution in mint sets, where coins were specifically handled and stored for preservation rather than spent in commerce.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1976 Dime Value

Manual evaluation of 1976 dimes demands hours researching mint marks, measuring torch band separation under magnification, comparing wear patterns against grading standards, and tracking volatile auction data across multiple platforms.

Our CoinValueChecker App condenses this labor-intensive process into a 30-second scan, leveraging machine learning trained on thousands of certified specimens to instantly identify whether your coin qualifies as an ordinary circulation piece worth ten cents or a premium Full Bands variety commanding hundreds, delivering professional-grade assessments without the traditional research burden.

 

1976 Dime Value Guides

The 1976 Roosevelt dime was minted in three primary varieties:

• 1976 No Mint Mark Dime (Philadelphia business strike produced for general circulation)
• 1976-D Dime (Denver circulation strike bearing “D” identifier above date)
• 1976-S DCAM Dime (San Francisco collector proof featuring deep cameo contrast)

Philadelphia and Denver variants represent standard business strikes intended for commercial use, displaying typical circulation-grade characteristics. The San Francisco DCAM specimen serves collectors exclusively, showcasing mirror-finished fields with frosted design elements that create striking visual depth.

 

1976 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1976 Philadelphia-minted dime represents a fascinating numismatic anomaly from America’s Bicentennial year, while sister denominations received elaborate commemorative redesigns, this modest ten-cent piece maintained its unchanged 1946 appearance, inadvertently becoming a symbol of continuity amid nationwide celebration.

Production reached substantial numbers, flooding commerce channels during the Bicentennial festivities. This massive mintage ensures that common circulated examples remain worth face value only, as decades of pocket change circulation have worn billions of specimens down to Good through Fine grades.

Value emerges dramatically as preservation quality increases into uncirculated territory. Mint State specimens below MS-66 trade in the $0.50 to $32 range depending on luster retention and contact mark quantity, representing affordable acquisition targets for type set builders. The MS-67 grade threshold marks a significant premium jump, with properly graded examples commanding approximately $200 as population numbers drop substantially at this quality level.

The Full Bands designation transforms value dynamics entirely by identifying specimens with exceptionally sharp strikes. When the horizontal bands across the reverse torch appear fully separated and crisply defined—indicating optimal die condition and striking pressure—collectors assign the “FB” suffix that signals premium quality.

Standard 1976 Philadelphia dimes achieving MS-66 FB status have reached auction records of $2,695, demonstrating how strike quality can increase value over 100-fold compared to regularly struck counterparts in identical grades.

Historical auction results reveal the premium trajectory for exceptional Philadelphia specimens.

Market patterns demonstrate consistent collector interest across the 1976 No Mint Mark Dime.

 

1976-D Dime Value

The 1976-D Roosevelt dime distinguishes itself as the highest-mintage variety in 1976, with Denver’s production of 695,222,774 pieces surpassing Philadelphia’s output by over 126 million coins.

This production dominance reflected Denver’s crucial role in supplying Western states and military bases with circulating coinage during an era of robust economic expansion, when coin-operated vending machines and public transportation systems demanded unprecedented quantities of small denomination currency.

The “D” mint mark appears on the obverse directly above the date’s final digit, positioned between Roosevelt’s neck truncation and the year 1976. This placement followed the 1968 standardization when mint marks moved from their traditional reverse location to the obverse, making identification straightforward for collectors sorting through pocket change or coin rolls.

During the identification process, Premium MS-68 specimens represent genuine condition rarities valued $450, with only three examples certified at this exceptional grade level.

The true value driver emerges with Full Bands designation—MS-66 FB specimens trade around $200, while the highest-graded MS-67 FB examples reached $1,560 at auction in 2020.

Denver mint specimens have established strong auction benchmarks, showcase superior strike quality from this high-volume production facility.

Market data shows active trading volume for the 1976 Denver Dime Coins.

 

1976-S DCAM Dime Value

The 1976-S Deep Cameo proof dime was manufactured in San Francisco. The San Francisco Mint closed its production of circulating coins from 1955 to 1967. After reopening in 1968, the mint began producing proof coins for most denominations of U.S. currency, rather than just the 10-cent coin. By 1976, the mint had perfected Deep Cameo production techniques to such degree that most specimens naturally achieved this premium designation without the rarity that characterized earlier proof years when cameo contrast occurred sporadically.

The 1976-S Deep Cameo proof dime represents San Francisco Mint’s collector-focused production, distinguished by dramatic visual contrast where frosted design elements appear to float above mirror-like fields.

Perfect PR-70 DCAM specimens represent the absolute of numismatic quality, exhibiting completely flawless surfaces, centered strikes, and optimal cameo contrast when examined under 5x magnification. These coins commanded $1,035 at Heritage Auctions in May 2003 during peak proof market enthusiasm, though values have moderated significantly since then.

Current market dynamics show PR-70 DCAM examples trading around $50-100 based on recent sales, while lower PR-69 DCAM specimens remain readily available $15. This accessibility makes the 1976-S DCAM an excellent entry point for collectors seeking premium-quality Roosevelt dimes.

One grade 70 Proof specimen with Deep Cameo designation has recorded notable auction achievements.

The proof market reflecting sustained collector demand for these mirror-finish specimens that were never intended for circulation.

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

 

Rare 1976 Dime Error List

The following error types represent authenticated varieties documented by professional grading services in 1976, each exhibiting specific characteristics that separate valuable mistakes from worthless damaged coins or intentional alterations.

1. Off-Center Strike Errors

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet fails to position correctly between the dies during the striking moment, resulting in a partially blank coin with the design shifted toward one edge. The misalignment happens when feeding mechanisms malfunction or planchets slip after entering the striking chamber but before the hammer die descends.

The error’s severity is measured by percentage—a 10% off-center shows minimal design loss, while 50% displacement leaves half the coin blank with only partial imagery visible.

1976 off-center dimes typically command $15-$20 for moderate 10-15% strikes, with extreme examples exceeding $50 when displacement reaches 25% or more while retaining full date visibility.

2. Broadstrike Errors

A broadstrike manifests when the collar die—the restraining ring surrounding the lower die—malfunctions or fails to engage, allowing metal to expand beyond normal coin boundaries during striking. Without collar constraint, the metal flows outward under striking pressure, creating an oversized coin with smooth, unreeeded edges instead of the standard 118 machined grooves.

The coin retains complete design elements on both obverse and reverse but measures larger than the standard 17.90mm diameter, sometimes reaching 19-20mm. The absence of reeding provides immediate visual identification, as the edge appears flat and polished rather than textured.

These errors typically value between $5-$10 for 1976 specimens, with premium examples in uncirculated condition commanding higher prices from error specialists seeking dramatic size expansion.

3. Clipped Planchet Errors

Clipped planchets result from blanking press malfunctions where circular punches overlap previously cut holes in the metal strip or strike too close to strip edges. This creates three distinct clip types: curved clips from overlapping punch patterns, straight clips from edge proximity, and ragged clips from defective metal areas.

The missing metal section appears as a crescent-shaped void along the coin’s edge, with clip size ranging from minor 5% loss to dramatic 25% or larger sections. Larger clips command exponentially higher premiums since they’re immediately visible and more rarely escape quality control.

1976 clipped planchet dimes typically fetch $15-$50 depending on clip size and position, with extreme examples showing 20% or more metal loss reaching three-figure values when combined with visible dates and mint marks.

 

Where to Sell Your 1976 Dime?

Match your selling strategy to your coin’s value, common circulated pieces move efficiently through local dealers or coin shops, while premium specimens deserve specialized auction houses where serious collectors compete for top-grade material.

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

 

1976 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about The 1976 Dime

1. How much is my 1976 dime worth?

Most circulated 1976 dimes are worth face value only. Uncirculated examples range from $0.50 to $3 in lower mint state grades (MS-63 to MS-65).

While premium specimens command substantially more, MS-66 coins fetch $8-$30, MS-67 examples reach $120-$200, and the highest-graded MS-68 specimens have sold for over $1,000. San Francisco proof coins typically range from $1 to $6, with perfect PR-70 DCAM specimens reaching $1,035.

2. Why didn’t the 1976 dime get a Bicentennial redesign?

Congress authorized special commemorative reverse designs only for the quarter, half dollar, and dollar to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary.

The dime, nickel, and penny were deliberately excluded from the Bicentennial redesign initiative, with the Roosevelt dime maintaining its original 1946 design throughout 1976. This decision actually enhanced the coin’s numismatic interest as a symbol of continuity amid widespread change.

3. Where should I sell valuable 1976 dimes?

For commonly circulated pieces, local coin dealers offer immediate payment at fair prices. High-grade specimens (MS-66+), Full Bands varieties, and error coins perform best at specialized auction houses like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections where serious collectors compete.

Please always obtain professional PCGS or NGC grading for valuable specimens before selling—certification significantly increases buyer confidence and realized prices.