1979 Dime Value (Errors List, “D” ,“S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1979 Dime Value reflects its place within the Roosevelt dime series. As part of the long-running clad copper-nickel era, these coins remain relatively common.

Standard circulated examples average $0.10 to $0.31. Higher grade specimens show more variation. Uncirculated pieces can reach around $7-$9 on average. Full Bands examples command substantially higher prices, averaging between $77 and $1,705 depending on condition.

Understanding these values helps collectors appreciate this coin’s role in modern numismatics.

 

1979 Dime Value By Variety

The 1979 dime was produced at three mints, creating distinct varieties with different values.

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 1979 Dime Worth Money          

The most valuable 1979 dimes show significant price variation based on grade and mint mark. High-grade examples command premium prices at auction.

The top position belongs to a 1979 MS65 specimen, which sold for $2,300. This Philadelphia strike demonstrates how condition dramatically affects value. Denver mint coins also perform well at upper grades. A 1979-D graded MS64 reached $1,495, while an MS66 example brought $850.

Proof coins from San Francisco show more modest values. The Type 1 variant in PR70 achieved $472. The Type 2 in the same grade sold for $426. Lower mint state grades remain affordable for collectors. Examples grading MS62 to MS67 range from $92 to $306.

These auction results span from 2004 to present. They reflect actual market transactions rather than theoretical estimates.

 

History Of The 1979 Dime

The Roosevelt dime series began in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He had passed away the previous year after leading the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock designed the coin. It replaced the Mercury dime that same year. The series has remained in continuous production ever since. The design has stayed largely unchanged for nearly eight decades.

The year 1979 marked a challenging period in American economic history. Inflation surged to over 10% during the first nine months. Oil prices more than doubled due to the Iranian Revolution of 1978. The nation faced what economists called stagflation, combining high inflation with economic stagnation.

Paul Volcker became Federal Reserve Chairman in August 1979. He would soon implement aggressive policies to combat inflation.

Against this backdrop, the 1979 dime circulated as everyday currency. It served Americans navigating one of the most turbulent economic periods since the Great Depression.

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

 

Is Your 1979 Dime Rare?

Most 1979 dimes are common circulation coins. However, certain varieties and high-grade examples can be valuable. Determining rarity requires examining mint marks, condition, and specific features.

Use the CoinValueChecker App to quickly assess your coin’s rarity and current market value.

 

Key Features Of The 1979 Dime

The 1979 dime displays John R. Sinnock’s classic Roosevelt design. The obverse shows President Roosevelt’s portrait with inscriptions of liberty and national motto. The reverse features symbolic imagery representing American values.

Understanding these design elements helps collectors identify authentic specimens and appreciate the coin’s artistic merit.

The Obverse Of 1979 Dime

The obverse presents a left-facing profile of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The word “LIBERTY” appears along the left edge in front of his face. Below Roosevelt’s chin sits the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” in smaller letters.

The date “1979” is positioned to the right of the neck. Designer John R. Sinnock placed his initials “JS” at the base of Roosevelt’s neck truncation.

The mint mark, when present, appears above the date. Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark. Denver coins display a “D” mark. San Francisco proof coins show an “S” mark.

The Reverse Of The 1979 Dime

The reverse centers on a flaming torch symbolizing liberty. An olive branch flanks the left side, representing peace. An oak branch appears on the right, symbolizing strength and independence.

The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” stretches across the field above the torch. The legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs around the top rim.

The denomination “ONE DIME” is inscribed at the bottom. Small decorative dots separate elements of the design. This symbolic composition reflects America’s victory in World War II and Roosevelt’s enduring legacy.

Other Features Of The 1979 Dime

The coin measures 17.91 mm in diameter and weighs 2.268 grams. Its thickness is 1.35 mm. The edge features reeded ridges. The composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel in a clad structure.

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

 

1979 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1979 dime production totaled over 706 million coins across three mints. Denver led production with 390,921,184 pieces, slightly exceeding Philadelphia’s output of 315,440,000. San Francisco struck only 3,677,175 proof coins for collectors.

Survival data provides interesting insights into remaining populations. Denver coins show a documented survival of 78,184,236 specimens, representing approximately 20% of original mintage. This relatively low survival rate reflects heavy circulation and attrition over decades.

Philadelphia and San Francisco survival numbers remain unknown, though patterns differ significantly. Philadelphia coins likely experienced similar circulation losses. Proof coins from San Francisco, being collector items, probably maintained higher survival rates due to careful preservation.

The survival distribution chart clearly shows Denver coins dominating the surviving population. This aligns with their higher original mintage and documented survival figures.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1979 Dime Value

Determining your 1979 dime’s value requires examining several factors. Check the mint mark location first. Assess the coin’s overall condition carefully. Look for any unusual errors or varieties. These elements significantly impact final value.

Professional grading provides the most accurate assessment. However, you can get a quick estimate at home. Simply download the CoinValueChecker App to identify your coin and receive an instant value estimate.

 

1979 Dime Value Guides

• 1979 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)– Circulation strike with no mint mark below Roosevelt’s neck. Philadelphia produced over 315 million pieces. These coins were made for everyday use across the United States.
• 1979-D (Denver)– Features a “D” mint mark on the obverse above the date. Denver led production with nearly 391 million dimes. This represents the highest mintage among all 1979 varieties.
• 1979-S Type 1 DCAM (Proof)– San Francisco proof with “Filled S” mint mark. The curves inside the “S” appear compressed and blob-like. These coins feature mirror-like fields and frosted devices for collectors.
• 1979-S Type 2 DCAM (Proof)– San Francisco proof with “Clear S” mint mark. The inner curves of the “S” remain separated with distinct space. This variety is slightly scarcer than Type 1 among certified examples.

The 1979 dime series offers collectors multiple collecting paths. Circulation strikes from Philadelphia and Denver remain widely available today.

Proof coins from San Francisco present additional variety interest. The two mintmark types stem from different punch designs used during production. Type 2 proofs show clearer definition in the “S” mintmark.

Collectors often pursue complete sets including all four major varieties. Each type contributes unique characteristics to a comprehensive Roosevelt dime collection.

 

1979 No Mint Mark Dime Value 

The 1979 No Mint Mark dime was struck at Philadelphia. This facility produced over 315 million pieces for circulation. The absence of a mint mark identifies coins from Philadelphia.

Most circulated examples remain common and trade near face value. Higher grade specimens become increasingly scarce. The highest certified grade is MS67, with only 32 examples graded by one major service.

Full Bands specimens command significant premiums over regular strikes. The torch bands must show complete separation to earn this designation. An MS65 Full Bands example reached $2,300 at auction. This demonstrates how strike quality dramatically affects value.

The auction record chart shows pricing trends across different grades over time.

Market activity reflects steady collector interest throughout the year.

 

1979-D Dime Value 

The 1979-D dime represents Denver’s largest production that year. Nearly 391 million pieces were struck at this facility. The “D” mint mark appears above the date on the obverse.

Denver production dominated the 1979 Roosevelt dime series. High-grade specimens remain challenging to locate despite the large mintage. An MS64 example with Full Bands reached $1,495 at auction. A regular MS66 specimen brought $850.

These figures demonstrate how the Full Bands designation affects value significantly. Sharp strikes with complete torch band separation command substantial premiums over regular examples.

The auction record chart displays pricing trends across various grades over time.

Market activity reflects consistent collector demand throughout the year.

 

1979-S Type1 Dime Value 

The 1979-S Type 1 proof dime features the “Filled S” mint mark. San Francisco produced these coins exclusively for collectors. The inner curves of the “S” appear compressed and blob-like. This creates a less distinct appearance compared to Type 2.

Proof coins display mirror-like fields and frosted devices. The highest recorded grade is PR70 Deep Cameo. A specimen in this condition reached $472 at auction in 2003.

Type 1 examples are more common than Type 2 specimens. Both varieties share the same total mintage of approximately 3.68 million pieces.

The auction record chart shows pricing performance across different proof grades over time.

Market activity indicates steady collector interest throughout the year.

 

1979-S Type2 Dime Value 

The 1979-S Type 2 proof dime displays the “Clear S” mint mark. The inner curves remain separated with distinct space between them. The serif ends appear bulbous and well-defined. This variety is slightly scarcer than Type 1.

The highest certified grade is PR70 Deep Cameo. A top-grade example sold for $426 at auction in 2003. Type 2 coins show sharper mint mark definition than their Type 1 counterparts.

Collectors distinguish the two types by examining the “S” mint mark clarity. Type 2 specimens feature two visible holes within the mint mark.

The auction record chart reflects pricing trends for Type2 proofs over multiple decades.

Market activity demonstrates consistent demand from proof set collectors year-round.

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

 

Rare 1979 Dime Error List

Error coins occur during various minting stages. Planchet preparation, die creation, and striking processes can all produce mistakes. While most errors are caught before distribution, some enter circulation. These 1979 Roosevelt dime errors attract collector interest due to their unique characteristics and scarcity.

1. Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet shifts during striking. The dies contact only part of the blank metal disc. This creates a coin with missing design elements and visible blank areas. The value depends on the degree of displacement.

Minor shifts of 5-10% may add $10-$20 to value. Strong off-center strikes showing 50% or more displacement can reach $50-$100. The most valuable examples retain a visible date despite significant displacement.

2. Clipped Planchet

Clipped planchets result from improper blanking press operation. The punching die overlaps a previously punched hole or strip edge. This creates a curved or straight missing section on the coin’s edge.

Curved clips are most common, forming crescent-shaped indentations. Straight clips occur along the planchet strip edges. Large clips showing 25% or more missing metal command higher premiums. Values typically range from $10 to $50 depending on clip size and visibility.

3. Broadstrike

Broadstrike errors occur when coins are struck without the restraining collar. The metal spreads beyond normal diameter during impact. These coins appear wider and thinner than standard specimens. The rim remains smooth rather than raised. Design elements spread outward from center.

Broadstrikes typically measure 19-20mm instead of the standard 17.91mm. These errors generally sell for $15-$50 depending on expansion degree and overall condition.

4. Missing Clad Layer

Some dimes escape with one clad layer missing. This exposes the pure copper core underneath. The affected surface appears distinctly copper-colored rather than silver.

This error occurs during planchet preparation before striking. Either obverse or reverse may show the exposed copper core. The opposite side displays normal copper-nickel cladding.

These specimens typically reach $20-$40 in circulated grades. Higher grade examples command additional premiums.

5. Wrong Planchet Strike

Wrong planchet errors are among the rarest minting mistakes. A dime die strikes a blank intended for another denomination. The resulting coin shows dime designs on incorrect-sized planchet.

Weight provides definitive authentication. The coin weighs what the original blank denomination specified. Examples include dimes struck on cent or foreign coin planchets.

These dramatic errors can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the planchet type.

 

Where To Sell Your 1979 Dime?

Selling your 1979 dime requires choosing the right platform for your needs. Each option offers different advantages and potential drawbacks.

We have prepared detailed information about the best places to sell coins online. This guide covers the pros and cons of each platform to help you make an informed decision.

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

 

1979 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1979 Dime

1. How much is a 1979 dime worth?

A 1979 dime’s value depends on its variety and condition. Most circulated examples are worth face value to $0.31. Uncirculated pieces typically range from $7 to $9. Full Bands specimens command significantly higher prices, averaging $77 to $1,705.

The highest recorded auction price reached $2,300 for an MS65 Full Bands example. Proof coins from San Francisco generally sell for modest premiums in lower grades.

2. Does a 1979 dime have a mint mark?

Yes, some 1979 dimes have mint marks while others do not. The mint mark appears above the date on the obverse. Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark. Denver coins display a “D” mint mark.

San Francisco proof coins show an “S” mint mark. The “S” mint mark comes in two varieties: Type 1 with a filled appearance and Type 2 with a clear, well-defined appearance.

 3. How much is a 1979 dime with no mint mark worth?

The 1979 no mint mark dime was struck at Philadelphia. Most circulated examples trade at or near face value. Uncirculated specimens in lower grades reach $7 to $9. Higher grade examples become increasingly scarce and valuable.

An MS65 Full Bands specimen sold for $2,300 at auction. The highest certified grade is MS67, with only 32 examples graded by major services.