1979 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “D” ,“S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1979 Dime value ranges from $0.10 face value to $2,300. That record was a Grade 65 example sold on eBay Auctions in June 2018. 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.

 

1979 Dime Value By Variety

Your 1979 dime’s value depends on which of the three mints made it — Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco — and each one brings different collector appeal.

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 coin sitting at the top of the list is a 1979 Philadelphia MS65 Full Bands example that hammered for $2,300 on eBay in June 2018. “Full Bands” means the horizontal lines on the torch reverse show clean, complete separation — proof of a razor-sharp strike. PCGS and NGC only hand out that designation when everything looks right under magnification. That’s 23,000 times face value for a coin most people wouldn’t look at twice in pocket change.

Denver pieces do well at the top end too. The 1979-D auction record is $1,495 for an MS64 at Heritage Auctions in September 2008, and a 1979-D Full Bands MS66 brought $850 on eBay in August 2018. San Francisco proofs are more modest — a Type 1 PR70 DCAM sold for $472 in 2003, and a Type 2 in the same grade fetched $426 that year. Lower Mint State grades from MS62 to MS67 typically range from $92 to $306 depending on variety and strike.

 

History Of The 1979 Dime

The Roosevelt dime launched in 1946 to honor FDR, who died in April 1945. Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock designed it, replacing the Mercury dime that had been in circulation since 1916. Roosevelt’s tie to the dime goes deeper than most collectors realize — he championed the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later renamed the March of Dimes. The man and the denomination were a natural fit.

The big series change came in 1965, when the Coinage Act of 1965 pulled silver out of dimes and quarters for good. From that point on, Roosevelt dimes were struck in clad — copper-nickel outer layers bonded over a pure copper core. The 1979 dime is fully part of this clad era.

Here’s a fun detail about 1979 itself: inflation blew past 10% that year. The Iranian Revolution had doubled fuel prices, and Americans were dealing with “stagflation” — high prices and a stalled economy at the same time. Paul Volcker took over as Federal Reserve Chairman in August 1979 to fight it. His aggressive rate hikes eventually worked, but not before hammering the economy in the early 1980s. Your 1979 dime circulated through all of that.

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

 

Is Your 1979 Dime Rare?

Over 706 million 1979 dimes were struck. That sounds like the opposite of rare. But rarity here isn’t about mintage — it’s about condition. This is classic condition rarity. Finding a 1979 dime with Full Bands in MS65 or higher is genuinely tough no matter which mint made it. The coins exist in huge numbers; the sharp, well-preserved ones don’t.

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

 

Key Features Of The 1979 Dime

Knowing what to look for on your 1979 dime helps you figure out the grade and whether it qualifies for any premium designations. Here’s what to examine.

The Obverse Of The 1979 Dime

You’ll see Roosevelt’s left-facing portrait front and center. “LIBERTY” runs along the left edge, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits in smaller letters below his chin.

The date “1979” appears to the right of Roosevelt’s neck. Look at the base of the neck truncation — those tiny letters “JS” are designer John R. Sinnock’s initials. New collectors sometimes mistake them for damage or an error. They’re not.

Check above the date for the mint mark. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark at all. Denver coins show a “D,” and San Francisco proofs display an “S.”

The Reverse Of The 1979 Dime

Flip it over. The center features a flaming torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by an olive branch on the left (peace) and an oak branch on the right (strength and independence).

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs above the torch. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” frames the top rim, and “ONE DIME” appears at the bottom.

Now look closely at the torch bands — this is the money zone. PCGS awards the Full Bands (FB) designation when those horizontal bands show complete separation with no breaks or mushiness.

NGC uses a slightly stricter standard called Full Torch (FT), which also requires the vertical lines of the torch to be clearly defined. That makes FT a bit harder to earn than FB.

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, and the edge features 118 reeded ridges. The composition is a clad structure — outer layers of 75% copper / 25% nickel bonded over a pure copper core, giving an overall blended average of approximately 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.

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

 

1979 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

Denver led the way with 390,921,184 dimes. Philadelphia followed with 315,440,000. San Francisco struck just 3,677,175 proof coins for collectors.

Here’s what matters more than mintage: what survived. Denver’s documented survival sits around 78,184,236 specimens — roughly 20% of the original run. That means four out of every five Denver dimes are gone. Worn out, melted, lost in couch cushions over four decades.

Philadelphia survival numbers aren’t documented but likely follow a similar pattern. San Francisco proofs, stored carefully by collectors from day one, almost certainly survived at a much higher rate. But even among surviving coins, the vast majority are circulated and worth face value. True Mint State pieces are a small slice, and Full Bands examples are rarer still.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1979 Dime Value

You need to check four things: mint mark, overall grade, strike quality (especially those torch bands), and whether any errors are present. Each one can swing the value dramatically.

For the most accurate assessment on a valuable piece, send it to PCGS or NGC. For a quick at-home estimate, download the Coin Identifier and Value 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 above the date. Philadelphia produced over 315 million pieces for everyday use. The absence of any letter is the identifying feature for this variety.
• 1979-D (Denver) – Features a “D” mint mark on the obverse above the date. Denver led all three mints in 1979 production with nearly 391 million dimes, making this the highest-mintage variety in the series that year.
• 1979-S Type 1 DCAM (Proof) – San Francisco proof with “Filled S” mint mark. The inner curves of the “S” appear squished and blob-like — the result of a punch that had been worn down through years of use since roughly 1974. These coins feature deep mirror fields and frosted devices, earning the DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation.
• 1979-S Type 2 DCAM (Proof) – San Francisco proof with “Clear S” mint mark. The inner curves remain distinctly open with two visible holes inside the letter. This variety is slightly scarcer among certified examples and was introduced midway through 1979 proof production. The same Type 1 / Type 2 pattern also appeared on the 1981-S Roosevelt dime proof.

Philadelphia and Denver coins reward patience — you’re hunting for sharp, high-grade survivors. The San Francisco proofs reward variety hunting between the two mint mark types.

 

1979 No Mint Mark Dime Value

Most people assume 315 million coins means nothing special. They’re right — for circulated examples. Those are worth a dime. But the top end tells a different story.

Only 32 examples have been graded MS67 by PCGS. That’s a genuine top-pop situation, and MS66 and MS67 pieces pull real premiums from registry set builders.

Full Bands is where this coin gets exciting. The auction record of $2,300 belongs to an MS65 FB example sold on eBay in June 2018, per PCGS CoinFacts records. That’s more than 23,000 times face value — all because the torch bands were perfectly struck and fully separated. If you’ve got a raw Philly dime that looks sharp, grab a loupe and check those bands before you toss it in a jar.

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

Think the highest-mintage variety can’t be valuable? The 1979-D had nearly 391 million struck, yet the PCGS auction record sits at $1,495 for an MS64 sold at Heritage Auctions in September 2008. A 1979-D Full Bands MS66 brought $850 on eBay in August 2018, per PCGS CoinFacts data. The “D” mint mark sits above the date on the obverse.

What really makes the 1979-D exciting is the error coins. Verified Heritage Auctions sales include a 1979-D struck 80% off-center in MS62 (PCGS Population 1/422), a triple-struck flipover in MS64, and a missing obverse clad layer example in MS65 NGC (NGC Census 21 at that grade, 65 graded higher). These dramatic errors can bring hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on type and grade. If you’re cherrypicking rolls, Denver is the mint to watch.

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

Market activity reflects consistent collector demand throughout the year.

 

1979-S Type 1 Dime Value

Can you tell a Type 1 from a Type 2 without a loupe? Probably not. Grab one and look at the “S” mint mark. On the Type 1, the inner curves of the “S” look squished and blobby — that’s from a worn punch that had been in use since about 1974. This proof was struck exclusively for collectors, never meant for circulation.

The DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation goes to proofs with strong contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields. A PR70 DCAM Type 1 sold for $472 in 2003. Type 1 examples are more common than Type 2 in the certified population since the mint switched punches mid-production. Both types share the same total mintage of approximately 3.677 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 Type 2 Dime Value

The Type 2 is the scarcer of the two 1979-S proofs. Look for a sharper, cleaner “S” with two distinct holes visible inside the letter under magnification. That’s the “Clear S” punch, introduced partway through 1979 proof production.

A PR70 DCAM example sold for $426 in 2003 — slightly below the Type 1 record — but Type 2 coins often carry premiums in the broader market because fewer were certified. The same Type 1 / Type 2 variation showed up again on the 1981-S proof Roosevelt dime. I think the Type 2 is the more interesting coin to chase, especially in top certified grades where the population thins out fast.

The auction record chart reflects pricing trends for Type 2 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

Minting errors happen at three stages: planchet preparation, die creation, and the strike itself. In 1979, mint marks were still punched into dies by hand, which created more chances for mistakes than today’s computerized process. Here are the verified error types found on 1979 Roosevelt dimes.

1. Off-Center Strike

This happens when the planchet (blank coin) shifts before the dies come together. You get part of the design missing and a blank crescent of metal on one side.

A 1979 Philadelphia dime struck 10% off-center at the 10 o’clock position, graded MS64 by ANACS, appeared at Heritage Auctions from the famous Don Bonser Error Coin Collection.

A 1979-D struck 80% off-center was graded MS62 by PCGS with a population of just 1 coin at that grade with 422 graded higher. Minor off-center strikes (5-10%) add $10-$20 to value; dramatic examples of 50% or more showing the full date can reach $50-$200+.

2. Clipped Planchet

Clipped planchet errors happen when the blanking press cuts into a previously punched area of the metal strip. The coin ends up with a crescent-shaped or straight chunk missing from its edge.

A 1979-D dime with a 30% curved clipped planchet graded MS64 by PCGS sold at Heritage Auctions. A 1979 Philadelphia dime struck 25% off-center on a double curved clip planchet in MS64 Full Bands has also appeared at Heritage via NGC certification. Large clips of 25% or more bring the best premiums, typically $25-$100 depending on size and eye appeal.

3. Broadstrike

A broadstrike happens when the restraining collar — the ring that holds the planchet during striking — doesn’t engage. Without it, the metal spreads outward, creating a coin that’s wider and thinner than normal with a smooth edge instead of reeding.

Broadstruck 1979-D dimes, including a notable example with multiple clips, have appeared at Heritage Auctions. Standard broadstrikes measure approximately 19-20mm instead of the normal 17.91mm and generally sell in the $15-$75 range depending on how much the coin spread.

4. Missing Clad Layer

Sometimes a planchet gets prepared with one of its copper-nickel layers missing. The struck coin shows a distinct copper-colored surface on one side instead of the usual silver tone. You can spot these immediately — they just look wrong.

A 1979-D dime with its entire obverse clad layer missing — weighing only 1.9 grams instead of the normal 2.27 grams — was graded MS65 by NGC with a census of 21 coins at that grade and 65 graded higher (PCGS Population 31/125 at MS65). This Heritage-sold example shows that even common-date missing clad layer errors have documented populations and real market prices. These typically sell for $20-$75 depending on grade.

5. Triple Struck / Multiple Strike

Multiple strike errors happen when a coin doesn’t eject from the press and gets hit again. A “flipover” strike means the coin actually flipped between blows, leaving overlapping design images from different angles on the same piece. Wild looking.

A 1979-D Roosevelt dime graded MS64 by PCGS with a triple strike including a flipover was sold by Heritage Auctions. This is one of the most spectacular errors known for the 1979 dime series. Dramatic multiple-strike errors can command $200-$1,000+ depending on complexity and visual impact.

6. Wrong Planchet Strike

These are the holy grail of error collecting. A 1979 dime die strikes a blank meant for a completely different denomination. The coin looks like a dime but has the wrong size, weight, or appearance.

Weight is your proof. The coin weighs what the original blank weighed, not what a normal dime should. Heritage Auctions has sold Roosevelt dimes struck on foreign planchets as a related error type. Confirmed wrong-planchet strikes on 1979 dimes can reach hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the planchet type.

 

Where To Sell Your 1979 Dime?

Selling your 1979 dime successfully means matching the right platform to the right coin. A circulated example is best sold in bulk lots; a certified Full Bands MS65 deserves a specialized numismatic marketplace.

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 Value

1. How much is a 1979 dime worth in 2026?

Most circulated 1979 dimes are worth face value — $0.10. Uncirculated examples trade between $7 and $9 in lower Mint State grades. Full Bands specimens average $77 to $1,705 depending on grade, and the all-time record is $2,300 for an MS65 FB Philadelphia example sold via eBay in June 2018.

2. Does a 1979 dime have a mint mark?

Depends on the mint. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark. Denver coins show a “D” above the date. San Francisco proofs display an “S,” which further splits into Type 1 (Filled S, blobby) and Type 2 (Clear S, with two visible holes inside the letter).

3. What does “Full Bands” mean and why does it matter for my 1979 dime?

Full Bands (FB) is a PCGS designation awarded when the horizontal bands on the torch reverse show complete, uninterrupted separation.

NGC uses a slightly stricter standard called Full Torch (FT), which also requires the vertical torch lines to be defined. A 1979 FB dime can be worth 10 to 100+ times more than the same coin without the designation. Sharp, fully struck examples are far rarer than mintage numbers suggest.

4. What is the difference between 1979-S Type 1 and Type 2?

Both are San Francisco proofs, but they used different mint mark punches. Type 1 (Filled S) has a blobby, compressed “S” from a worn punch in use since about 1974.

Type 2 (Clear S) has a sharper “S” with two visible interior holes, introduced partway through 1979 production. Type 2 is scarcer among certified examples. The same pattern repeated in 1981-S Roosevelt dimes.

5. Is the 1979 dime made of silver?

No. Silver was removed from dimes by the Coinage Act of 1965. The 1979 dime is clad — 75% copper / 25% nickel outer layers over a pure copper core. The only silver Roosevelt dimes are special collector issues made from 1992 onward, sold separately from regular proof sets.

6. What are the rarest 1979 dime errors?

The rarest verified 1979 dime errors include the triple-struck flipover (1979-D, MS64 PCGS, sold at Heritage Auctions), the 80% off-center strike (1979-D, MS62 PCGS, population 1/422), and the missing obverse clad layer (1979-D, MS65 NGC, census 21/65). Wrong planchet errors — where a dime die struck a blank meant for another denomination — are among the rarest of all and can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars.

7. How do I tell if my 1979 dime is uncirculated?

A Mint State coin shows zero wear anywhere. Check Roosevelt’s cheekbone and hair — they should have full original mint luster, that frosty cartwheel sheen. Even brief time in a pocket kills the luster on those high points.

Use a 5x-10x loupe and look for any rubbing or flatness on the cheekbone and the torch bands on the reverse. If you see wear there, it’s circulated.

8. Why does the 1979-D dime have the highest mintage but still have valuable high-grade examples?

Classic condition rarity. High mintage means tons of circulated coins, but it doesn’t guarantee gems. Strike quality at Denver in 1979 was inconsistent — many coins came off the press with soft, mushy torch bands.

Coins that hit circulation quickly lost their luster. Surviving MS65+ examples with Full Bands are scarce no matter how many were originally struck. That’s why they pull serious premiums.

9. Should I clean my 1979 dime before selling it?

Never. Cleaning destroys the original surface luster and microscopic flow lines that graders look for. Even gentle polishing removes value permanently.

PCGS and NGC label cleaned coins as “details” grades, and those typically sell for 50-90% less than untouched examples. Leave your coin exactly as you found it.

10. What is the rarest Roosevelt dime proof error, and how does the 1979-S compare?

The rarest Roosevelt dime proof error is the 1975 No-S proof, with only 2-5 known examples worth $350,000 to $525,000 in PR66 or higher.

The 1968 No-S proof is also extremely rare at approximately 12 known examples and worth $11,500 to $57,500. The 1979-S isn’t an error proof — both Type 1 and Type 2 carry proper “S” mint marks — but the Type 2 is a legitimate scarcity variety worth a premium over Type 1. In PR70 DCAM, both 1979-S types sold for $426-$472 in 2003.