1983 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “D” , “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

That 1983 dime in your change jar probably looks like every other dime out there. But for collectors who know exactly what to look for, certain examples from this year are worth thousands of dollars—and the reasons why are genuinely fascinating.

A standard circulated 1983 dime is worth just ten cents. Move into Mint State (MS) condition—meaning the coin shows no wear at all—and values climb to around $6.50 for Philadelphia examples and $7.33 for Denver pieces.

The real story begins with a designation called Full Bands (FB), which describes coins where every horizontal line across the torch on the reverse is completely separated and sharp. A 1983-P Full Bands example in Mint State is valued at $244.72—and a single specimen sold for $2,232.50 at Heritage Auctions in December 2015.

Understanding what pushes a common coin into collector territory starts with knowing the basics. Let’s walk through everything.

 

1983 Dime Value By Variety

Values vary significantly depending on condition and type. 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 1983 Dimes Worth Money

The undisputed king of the 1983 series is the No S proof dime in PR 70 condition, which has reached $10,560 at auction. This coin was accidentally struck without the San Francisco “S” mint mark—an error that slipped past quality control and into sealed proof sets.

Premium business strikes follow closely. A 1983-P MS68 Full Bands specimen sold for $2,233, while a 1983-D MS67 Full Bands example achieved $2,030. These are among the hardest coins in the entire clad Roosevelt series to find properly struck.

Standard high-grade coins also earn solid premiums. A 1983-P MS67 grades around $558, and an MS68 without the Full Bands designation has reached $489.

The No S proof errors claim four of the top ten spots across multiple grade levels. This dominance shows how a single production oversight can define an entire year’s numismatic identity.

 

History of the 1983 Dime

The Roosevelt Dime first appeared in January 1946, just nine months after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945. The dime denomination was no coincidence—Roosevelt had co-founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in 1938, which later became the March of Dimes. His personal connection to the ten-cent coin made it the natural tribute.

Sculptor John R. Sinnock (1888–1947) was the eighth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, serving from 1925 until his death. He designed both the Roosevelt Dime and the Franklin Half Dollar, leaving a lasting mark on mid-century American coinage.

By 1983, the dime had been struck continuously for 37 years. That year marked the second year of Donna Pope’s tenure as Director of the United States Mint, and the agency’s attention was heavily focused on the upcoming 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics commemorative coin program. This was historically significant—it represented the first U.S. gold coins issued since 1933.

Because the Mint was diverting resources toward those commemorative programs, it extended its moratorium on annual Uncirculated Sets for a second consecutive year. In 1982 and 1983, no official Mint Sets were produced. Collectors and dealers had no easy way to acquire sharp, Mint State examples of circulating coins—they had to search through ordinary rolls and bank bags instead.

This had a lasting effect on the 1983 dimes we see certified today. Coins from Mint Sets are typically better struck than circulation strikes, and their absence meant the pool of sharp 1983 dimes was far smaller than the massive mintage numbers suggest.

 

Is Your 1983 Dime Rare?

The short answer for most 1983 dimes is no—they are common coins. Over 1.37 billion business strike dimes were produced between Philadelphia and Denver, and the vast majority are worth exactly ten cents.

However, three specific categories break sharply from that pattern: Full Bands examples from either mint, the No S proof error, and any coin graded MS67 or higher by PCGS (the Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). Those coins are genuinely rare.

Download our Coin Value Checker App today to instantly identify your coin’s rarity and discover if you’re holding onto a valuable collectible worth hundreds of dollars.

 

Key Features of The 1983 Dime

The design of the 1983 Roosevelt dime reflects the artistic vision of John R. Sinnock, whose initials “JS” appear just below Roosevelt’s neck truncation. The coin’s physical specifications and imagery have remained essentially unchanged since 1946.

The Obverse of the 1983 Dime

The front of the coin shows a left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt dominating most of the surface. The word LIBERTY appears inside the smooth rim in front of his face, while the motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears in smaller letters below his chin.

The date 1983 sits in the space below his neck truncation. The “P” mint mark for Philadelphia coins is located just behind the portrait, between the date and the neck cutoff. Sinnock’s portrait is notable for its realism—it captures Roosevelt’s character as a leader who guided the nation through both the Great Depression and World War II.

The Reverse of the 1983 Dime

A central torch representing liberty occupies the middle of the reverse. It’s flanked by an olive branch on the left (representing peace) and an oak branch on the right (symbolizing strength).

The Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM—meaning “out of many, one”—stretches across the field. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DIME encircle the inside of the rim, separated by centered dots. The torch’s horizontal bands are the critical detail for collectors—more on that below.

Other Features of The 1983 Dime

The 1983 Roosevelt Dime measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter, weighs 2.27 grams, and has a reeded (ridged) edge. Its composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded over a pure copper core—what’s called a clad coin.

This composition replaced the original 90% silver formula used from 1946 through 1964. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from dimes and quarters due to sharply rising silver prices. Today’s 1983 dimes have essentially zero precious metal value, making condition and variety the only real drivers of collector worth.

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

 

1983 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The Philadelphia Mint struck 647,025,000 dimes in 1983. Denver contributed an even larger 730,129,224 coins the same year. Combined, the two facilities produced more than 1.37 billion business strike dimes—a staggering number that explains why circulated examples have no collector premium.

Survival data for the Philadelphia and Denver business strikes is unknown, making precise scarcity estimates impossible. What collectors and numismatists do know from PCGS’s mathematical modeling is that hundreds of thousands of Mint State examples almost certainly survive, though sharply struck coins are far rarer than raw population numbers suggest.

San Francisco struck 3,279,126 proof dimes in 1983, intended exclusively for collector proof sets. Of these, an estimated 2,803,652 survive in Deep Cameo (DCAM) condition—an impressive 85.5% survival rate. The high figure makes sense: proof coins are handled carefully from the moment of purchase and stored in protective holders, unlike business strikes that circulate freely.

The dramatic contrast here is important. Business strikes survive in unknown quantities but are very commonly found in low grades. Proof DCAM examples survive in high numbers but already start in excellent condition by design.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1983 Dime Value

The key to determining your 1983 dime’s value lies in its condition, or grade. Check for wear on Roosevelt’s hair and cheek, look at the mint mark location below his neck, and inspect the reverse torch under good lighting and at least 5x magnification.

For 1983 dimes specifically, you want to focus on the horizontal bands that cross the torch. The Full Bands (FB) designation—sometimes called Full Torch (FT) by NGC—requires complete, unbroken separation of all four horizontal lines. Even a tiny merging of lines disqualifies the coin. Given the weak hub quality used in 1983, fewer than 2% of all certified 1983-P dimes qualify for Full Bands.

Skip the guesswork with our Coin Value Checker App. Simply snap a photo to receive instant identification, accurate grading, and current market values in seconds.

 

1983 Dime Value Guides

The 1983 Roosevelt dime series comes in three main varieties depending on which mint produced them. Philadelphia (“P”) and Denver (“D”) made coins for general circulation. San Francisco (“S”) produced only proof coins for collectors.

Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the top designation for proof coins. It describes pieces where the raised design elements (called “devices”) appear frosty white against mirror-like background fields. Most 1983-S proof dimes naturally achieved this finish thanks to San Francisco’s production methods in the early 1980s.

1983 Dime Categories:

• 1983-P Dime: Philadelphia mint strike, common circulation coin with modest value but rare Full Bands examples.
• 1983-D Dime: Denver mint production with slightly better average strike quality; similar pricing to Philadelphia counterparts.
• 1983-S DCAM Dime: San Francisco proof with Deep Cameo contrast finish, made exclusively for collector sets.

 

1983-P Dime Value

The 1983-P dime is one of the most fascinating coins in the entire clad Roosevelt series—not because it’s common, but because its Full Bands examples are almost impossibly scarce.

According to CoinWeek’s analysis by numismatists Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker, the NGC MS68 Full Torch (FT) population for the 1983-P has stood at just ONE coin since at least 2015. That single specimen—NGC #4206478-002—sold at Heritage Auctions on December 4, 2015 (Lot 3708) for $2,232.50.

As of June 2025, the PCGS top population sits at just two coins in MS67 Full Bands (FB), while NGC shows one coin at MS68 FT and one CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) example at MS62. PCGS population data through October 2025 shows only 10 coins graded Full Bands across all grades from MS-63 to MS-68 combined—making this one of the most challenging Roosevelt dime rarities to acquire.

What caused such extreme scarcity? Two overlapping problems. First, the Roosevelt dime hubs in 1983 were worn and lacked detail, causing flatness in Roosevelt’s hair and weakness in the torch and branches straight from the start. Second, without Mint Sets being produced that year, coins were struck for general circulation using progressively degrading dies. PCGS expert Jaime Hernandez has noted that out of over 647 million 1983-P dimes struck, Full Bands examples almost certainly exist in rolls that haven’t been searched yet—but finding them grows harder every year.

Circulated examples trade at face value. Raw Mint State examples sell for $5 to $20 depending on eye appeal. It’s only at MS67 and above—or with the Full Bands designation—that values climb meaningfully.

The complete auction history for this variety appears in the table below.

Market activity trends over the past twelve months are shown in the accompanying chart.

 

1983-D Dime Value

Denver’s 1983 dimes follow a clear pricing ladder. MS67 pieces reach around $125 at auction, MS66 examples settle near $22, and standard Mint State coins trade close to face value. This structure lets collectors target a specific grade level based on their budget.

The Full Bands designation changes everything for Denver coins, just as it does for Philadelphia. MS66 examples with complete torch separation command wholesale bids near $475, while the five known MS67 FB specimens represent the absolute ceiling of what’s achievable.

A recognized die variety—cataloged as FS-501 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers’ Guide and CONECA RPM-001—exists for the 1983-D. This “D/D North” repunched mint mark variety shows a secondary “D” shifted directly upward from the primary impression, visible under 10x or stronger magnification.

Registry set collectors compete intensely for the top MS66 and MS67 Full Bands coins, sustaining premium pricing across those grade levels. For collectors on a tighter budget, raw Denver dimes trade between $5 and $120 at multiple entry points across various online platforms and dealer networks.

NGC data shows that MS68 is the highest grade recorded for the standard (non-FB) 1983-D, with only two examples certified at that level.

Historical auction activity highlights collector demand and price trends for this specific issue.

The next chart shows its market trends and activity over the past twelve months.

 

1983-S DCAM Dime Value

The 1983-S proof dime is the most visually impressive of the three varieties. San Francisco’s production methods in the early 1980s created coins with deeply frosted design elements contrasting against mirror-like backgrounds—what collectors call Deep Cameo (DCAM) surfaces.

A perfect PR70 DCAM specimen reached $690 at auction back in 2003. Today the market has softened considerably: PR70 examples typically trade between $20 and $40, while PR69 pieces often sell for under $15. This affordability makes the 1983-S an excellent entry point for collectors interested in Roosevelt proof dimes without spending much money.

The coin’s modest current price combined with its beautiful finish suggests steady long-term appreciation potential. As older proof sets become scarcer and the population of problem-free PR70 examples stays finite, patient collectors may find value here over the coming decades.

Highlighting their appeal to collectors, the table below lists all recorded auction results for the 1983-S DCAM dime.

Observing current market trends helps gauge collector attention and liquidity for the variety.

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

 

Rare 1983 Dime Error List

While most 1983 Roosevelt dimes are ordinary circulation coins, a handful slipped through quality control with production mistakes that turned them into sought-after rarities. These errors happened during the minting process and now command premiums far above face value.

1. 1983 No S Proof Dime Error

The 1983 No S proof dime is the most valuable error in the entire series. It occurred when Philadelphia Mint technicians prepared dies for San Francisco proof production but forgot to punch in the required “S” mint mark before shipping the dies.

This makes the 1983 No S the third and final missing mint mark error in the proof Roosevelt series, following similar incidents in 1968 and 1970. Stack’s Bowers Galleries researcher Andrew W. Pollock III has documented the No S proof series extensively: the 1968 No S has only 24 examples certified by PCGS and NGC combined, while the 1970 No S has 234. The 1983 No S is considerably more available—PCGS alone has graded 558 coins in DCAM as of 2025.

Price-wise, be aware that published guide prices can run ahead of actual auction results. The 2014 peak of $10,560 for a PR70 DCAM has not been repeated. More recent sales include $2,760 in January 2024 and $5,500 in September 2022 for PR70 examples. PR69 specimens have sold for $576 to $660 in 2023 auctions. Current fair market value for PR70 DCAM appears to sit in the $3,000–$5,000 range based on documented 2022–2024 auction activity.

To identify this coin, find a proof dime with mirror-like surfaces and frosted design elements—but no “S” mint mark above the date. Use a magnifying glass to confirm the mark is completely absent, not just weakly struck. Always have it authenticated by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS before purchasing or selling.

2. 1983-D Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) Error

The 1983-D RPM variety is a recognized die variety cataloged as FS-501 (Fivaz-Stanton) and CONECA RPM-001. This “D/D North” variety shows a secondary “D” impression shifted directly upward from the primary “D” mint mark.

To spot this error, examine the “D” mint mark at 10x magnification or higher. A faint secondary outline shifted upward is visible on the upper curve and upper serif of the letter. This error occurred during die preparation when the mint mark punch was repositioned and struck a second time at a slightly different angle.

RPM errors typically sell for modest premiums in circulated grades. However, certified Mint State examples with clear, dramatic doubling can command $25 to $100 or more depending on grade and eye appeal.

3. Broadstrike Errors

Broadstrikes happen when the collar die—the metal ring that normally confines the coin and creates the reeded edge—fails to engage during striking. Without that restraint, the metal flows outward under pressure and creates an oversized coin with a smooth edge instead of the normal ridged one.

You can identify broadstrikes by measuring the coin’s diameter: it will exceed the standard 17.91mm, and the design elements appear slightly flattened and stretched. Both Philadelphia and Denver produced these occasionally during 1983’s high-volume production runs.

Broadstrike 1983 dimes typically sell for $5 to $25. Uncirculated examples with significant size differences command the higher end of that range.

4. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes occur when planchets fail to align properly between the dies, leaving part of the coin unstruck and showing bare metal. The degree of misalignment determines both visual drama and collector value.

Minor shifts (under 10%) add a $20–$40 premium. Moderate examples (20–35%) off-center bring $75–$125. Dramatic specimens with 50%+ displacement can exceed $200 when the date and mint mark remain fully visible—these extreme examples occasionally surface in estate collections.

Both Philadelphia and Denver mints produced off-center 1983 dimes. The blank (unstruck) area is definitive proof of authenticity, since it cannot be replicated through post-mint alteration.

5. Clipped Planchet Errors

Clipped planchet errors form during the blanking stage when metal strips are fed incorrectly through the punch press. This creates coins with a curved or straight section missing from the edge.

Curved clips appear as smooth arc-shaped indentations where the metal strip overlapped a previously punched hole. Straight clips happen when the strip’s edge cuts across a blank. The size of the clip matters: larger clips covering 10–25% of the coin are more visually striking and more desirable to collectors.

A genuine clip will show the copper core layers exposed along the missing edge. Values range from $15 to $75 depending on clip size and coin condition. Always verify that the remaining design is fully and properly struck before attributing this error type.

6. Wrong Planchet Errors

Among the most dramatic and valuable errors are coins struck on the wrong planchet—for example, a dime struck on a cent planchet, producing a smaller, heavier coin with dime designs. These errors occur when planchet bins are accidentally cross-contaminated during production.

Wrong planchet errors on 1983 dimes are major rarities. Authenticated examples can be worth $500 to $3,000 or more depending on the host planchet composition and the coin’s grade. Because these errors are dramatic and verifiable by weight alone—a dime struck on a cent planchet weighs differently than a normal dime—professional authentication through PCGS, NGC, or ANACS is essential.

 

Where to Sell Your 1983 Dime

Finding the right marketplace makes a substantial difference in your final return, especially for error varieties and high-grade certified coins that deserve exposure to serious buyers.

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

Major auction houses like Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers Galleries, and GreatCollections provide the best exposure for high-grade or error coins. These platforms attract serious collectors willing to pay top prices, though buyer’s premiums of 15–20% apply and the process can take one to three months.

eBay works well for mid-range examples in the $50–$500 range. Local coin dealers offer instant payment but typically pay 60–80% of retail value, which makes sense only if you need quick cash.

 

1983 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About the 1983 Dime Value

1. Is a 1983 dime made of silver?

No, 1983 dimes contain no silver. The U.S. Mint discontinued silver dimes in 1964 after the Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from dimes and quarters due to rising metal prices.

All 1983 Roosevelt dimes use clad composition: an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded over a pure copper core. The coin weighs 2.27 grams—lighter than the old 90% silver dimes, which weighed 2.50 grams. The copper base means the coin’s intrinsic metal value is only about $0.03, so condition and variety are the only real value drivers.

2. What makes a 1983 dime worth more than face value?

Three things drive up the value of a 1983 dime. First is the grade—MS67 or better commands real premiums since such sharp strikes are hard to find from this year. Second is the Full Bands (FB) designation, which requires complete separation of all four horizontal lines across the reverse torch. Third is the No S proof error, which represents one of the rarest modern Roosevelt varieties.

Outside of those categories, almost all 1983 dimes are worth exactly ten cents, even in decent circulated condition.

3. How many 1983 dimes exist with Full Bands?

Extremely few. According to PCGS population data from October 2025, only 10 coins have been graded Full Bands across all grades from MS-63 to MS-68 for the 1983-P. NGC has certified just one coin at the top grade of MS68 Full Torch (FT) for the Philadelphia issue, and that population has not changed since at least 2015.

Full Bands examples represent less than 2% of all 1983-P dimes ever submitted for grading. Given that 647 million Philadelphia dimes were struck that year, the ratio of qualifying pieces is extraordinarily low.

4. What is the most valuable 1983 dime ever sold?

One source reports a 1983 No S proof dime in PR70 Deep Cameo condition selling for as much as $20,489.70 at auction. More consistently documented recent sales show the 2014 peak at $10,560 for a PR70 DCAM example. Current market values for PR70 specimens appear to sit in the $3,000–$5,000 range based on 2022–2024 auction activity.

For business strikes, the record belongs to a 1983-P MS68 Full Bands specimen that sold for $2,232.50 at Heritage Auctions in December 2015 (Lot 3708).

5. What mint marks appear on 1983 dimes, and where?

Three mint marks are possible. “P” marks Philadelphia production (647 million struck), “D” marks Denver output (730 million struck), and “S” marks San Francisco proof coins (3.3 million struck). Philadelphia began adding the “P” to dimes in 1980 after decades without a designation.

All mint marks appear on the obverse (front) of the coin, to the right of Roosevelt’s neck just above the last digit of the date “3.” A proof-quality coin with no mint mark at all is the valuable No S error variety.

6. What is the 1983-D Repunched Mint Mark variety?

The 1983-D RPM is a recognized die variety listed as FS-501 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers’ Guide and CONECA RPM-001. It’s called a “D/D North” because the secondary “D” impression is shifted directly upward from the primary mark.

The error occurred during die preparation, when the mint mark punch was struck a second time in a slightly different position. You need at least 10x magnification to see it clearly—look for a faint secondary outline on the upper curve of the “D.” This type of error ended in 1989 when the U.S. Mint began placing mint marks directly on master dies rather than hand-punching them onto working dies.

7. How can I tell if my 1983 dime has Full Bands?

Examine the reverse torch under bright, direct lighting using at least 5x to 10x magnification. The torch has two pairs of horizontal lines crossing it—an upper pair and a lower pair. For a Full Bands (FB) coin, every one of those four lines must be fully separated with no touching or merging points anywhere along their length.

On most 1983 dimes, the lines will be soft, merged, or flat due to worn hub quality and tired dies. Even a tiny spot where the lines touch disqualifies the coin from Full Bands status. This is why fewer than 2% of certified 1983-P dimes earn the designation.

8. Why didn’t the U.S. Mint make Uncirculated Sets in 1983?

The Mint suspended Uncirculated Set production in both 1982 and 1983 due to federal budget considerations and a major shift in focus toward the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics commemorative coin program. That program produced the first U.S. gold coins since 1933 and required significant resources from multiple minting facilities.

This two-year gap had lasting numismatic consequences. Without Mint Sets, collectors had no reliable source of sharp, well-struck circulation coins. Dealers and roll searchers saved what they could from bank bags, but average strike quality from those years is noticeably weaker than coins from years with Mint Sets.

9. Should I clean my 1983 dime before selling it?

Never clean a coin you intend to sell to a collector or submit for grading. Cleaning—even gently wiping with a cloth—leaves microscopic scratches called “hairlines” that are immediately visible under magnification. Grading services like PCGS and NGC designate cleaned coins as “Details” grades, which dramatically reduces their market value.

If your coin has toning, spots, or grime, leave it alone. Original, uncleaned coins always sell better to serious buyers than cleaned ones, even if the cleaned version looks shinier at first glance.

10. Is it worth submitting a 1983 dime for professional grading?

Professional grading through PCGS or NGC costs $30 to $100+ per coin once you factor in membership fees, grading fees, and shipping. It only makes financial sense if your coin is likely worth $200 or more based on your initial assessment.

For 1983 dimes, grading is worth considering for: coins that appear to have Full Bands under magnification, possible No S proof errors, high-grade Mint State examples that look MS67 or better, and any clear mechanical errors like off-center strikes or wrong planchets. For standard circulated or average Mint State coins, the grading cost will far exceed any potential return.