1996 Dime Value (Errors List, “P”, “D”, “S” & “W” Mint Mark Worth)

The year 1996 stands as a pivotal moment in Roosevelt dime history, marking the series’ 50th anniversary with an unprecedented five distinct varieties spanning four mint facilities. This commemorative milestone produced everything from billions of standard circulation strikes to an exclusive West Point edition that instantly became a modern key date.

Value disparities among 1996 dimes reveal fascinating market dynamics, while common circulated pieces remain at face value, mint state Philadelphia examples reach $6.57, and Full Bands specimens command $15.00 premiums for exceptional strike quality. The commemorative 1996-W pushes values even higher at $19.62 in mint state grades, rewarding collectors who recognize its limited production significance.

Mastering the factors that determine precise 1996 Dime value, particularly the commemorative West Point edition, transforms casual currency into potential numismatic treasures worth careful examination and professional assessment.

 

1996 Dime Value By Variety

The condition and grade of a 1996 dime significantly influence its collectibility, with pristine examples commanding substantially higher premiums than circulated pieces across all mint mark varieties. 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 1996 Dime Worth Money

The auction records from 2002 to present reveal a clear hierarchy in 1996 dime valuations, with the 1996-P MS68 commanding the highest price at $1,385. This exceptional grade represents the quality of preservation for Philadelphia business strikes.

Denver Mint specimens follow closely, with the 1996-D MS68 reaching $750, nearly half the Philadelphia counterpart’s value. The gap between these elite examples and mid-grade coins demonstrates the exponential premium collectors pay for superior condition.

San Francisco proof editions showcase impressive values, with the standard PR68 achieving $600 and the Silver PR70 at $575. These specially-struck pieces appeal to collectors seeking pristine mirror-like finishes and razor-sharp details.

Notable West Point entries include the 1996-W MS69 at $411 and MS68 at $245, reflecting the relative scarcity of this mint mark in top grades.

 

History of The 1996 Dime

The Roosevelt dime series began on January 30, 1946, released on what would have been President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 64th birthday. This commemorative coin honored Roosevelt’s leadership through the Great Depression and World War II, as well as his founding role in the March of Dimes organization to combat polio, a disease he personally battled.

By 1996, the United States Mint celebrated the series’ golden anniversary with multiple special releases. The year marked a milestone that prompted officials to create distinctive tributes honoring both the coin’s legacy and Roosevelt’s enduring impact on American life.

Additionally, 1996 production continued at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco facilities, with each mint contributing to the year’s overall Roosevelt dime output including regular circulation strikes and proof specimens.

The Mint selected the West Point facility to strike commemorative anniversary dimes, creating a meaningful geographic connection to Roosevelt’s birthplace in Hyde Park, New York.

The 1996-W Roosevelt dime became a historic first in American coinage. It represented the first time a regular-issue, non-commemorative coin received the distinctive “W” mint mark, distinguishing it from the typical bullion and commemorative gold coins traditionally produced at West Point.

This distribution strategy ensured the 1996-W would remain a collector-only piece, never entering general circulation. The 50th anniversary celebration successfully bridged past and present, connecting modern collectors with the mid-century origins of one of America’s most enduring coin designs.

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

 

Is Your 1996 Dime Rare?

Determining whether your 1996 dime qualifies as a rare variety requires expert analysis. Our CoinValueChecker App provides instant professional-grade authentication by scanning your coin and comparing it against verified rare specimens in our comprehensive database.

 

Key Features of The 1996 Dime

The 1996 Roosevelt dime maintains John R. Sinnock’s timeless design, introduced in 1946 and largely unchanged for five decades. This commemorative year featured production at four U.S. Mint facilities, with the West Point edition marking a historic first for regular-issue dimes.

The Obverse Of The 1996 Dime

The obverse displays Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dignified left-facing profile, rendered in the classical portrait tradition for depicting American presidents. The word “LIBERTY” appears prominently along the upper rim in front of Roosevelt’s face, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” is positioned in smaller letters below his chin.

The date “1996” occupies the lower right portion beneath Roosevelt’s neck truncation. Designer John R. Sinnock’s identifying initials “JS” appear subtly at the base of the neck cutoff, a detail that sparked Cold War-era controversy when some mistakenly associated it with Joseph Stalin.

The Reverse Of The 1996 Dime

The reverse features a central flaming torch symbolizing liberty and enlightenment, faithfully reproduced from Sinnock’s original 1946 design. An olive branch extends from the left side of the torch, representing peace, while an oak branch on the right embodies strength and independence.

The national motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” stretches horizontally across the field in elegant capital letters. The denomination “ONE DIME” appears at the bottom, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircling the upper portion of the design, separated by small decorative dots.

The torch displays two horizontal bands—one near the top and another near the bottom—whose complete separation defines the coveted “Full Bands” designation among collectors.

Other Features Of The 1996 Dime

The 1996 dime measures precisely 17.90 millimeters in diameter with a thickness of 1.35 millimeters, maintaining specifications established during the 1965 composition transition. The coin weighs 2.27 grams, slightly lighter than its pre-1965 silver predecessors.

The edge features distinctive reeding with 118 precisely machined vertical ridges, serving both as an anti-counterfeiting security element and tactile identifier. The composition consists of a copper-nickel clad structure—outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded over a pure copper core.

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

 

1996 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1996 mintage data reveals a dramatic divide between circulation strikes and collector editions, with profound implications for numismatic scarcity. Philadelphia and Denver facilities produced over 2.8 billion business-strike dimes combined, representing typical high-volume production for everyday commerce.

In stark contrast, the West Point commemorative edition yielded only 1,457,000 pieces—nearly a thousand times scarcer than regular circulation strikes. This limited production instantly established the 1996-W as the lowest-mintage business-strike Roosevelt dime in the entire series.

The survival data for proof editions demonstrates exceptional preservation rates, with San Francisco DCAM specimens maintaining 95% survival and Silver DCAM examples achieving an extraordinary 94.99999% survival rate. These remarkably high figures reflect the protective packaging and careful handling typical of collector-only releases.

However, survival rates for Philadelphia, Denver, and West Point strikes remain unknown due to their distribution through general channels or mint sets. Circulation coins from P and D mints likely experienced significant attrition through normal wear, loss, and destruction over nearly three decades of potential use.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1996 Dime Value

Exploring your 1996 dime’s value starts with three quick checks: locate the mint mark above the date (P, D, W, or S), assess the coin’s condition (circulated versus uncirculated), and examine the torch bands for complete separation.

Circulated P and D dimes typically remain at face value, while uncirculated examples range from $1.50 to premium prices for exceptional grades. The rare 1996-W commands significantly higher values starting around $15 in basic uncirculated condition.

For instant, professional-grade appraisals, download CoinValueChecker App to snap a photo and receive accurate grading, current market values, and error detection—eliminating guesswork and ensuring you never overlook a valuable specimen.

 

1996 Dime Value Guides

The 1996 Roosevelt dime was minted in five primary varieties:

• 1996-P Dime (Standard Philadelphia circulation strike with over 1.4 billion produced, valued primarily in uncirculated grades)
• 1996-D Dime (Denver circulation strike with similar high production, commanding premiums only in superior mint state conditions)
• 1996-W Dime (Exclusive West Point 50th anniversary commemorative with only 1,457,000 struck, distributed solely through mint sets)
• 1996-S DCAM Dime (San Francisco Deep Cameo proof in clad composition, featuring mirror-like fields and frosted devices)
• 1996-S Silver DCAM Dime (Special 90% silver proof edition with Deep Cameo contrast, lower mintage and precious metal content)

The 1996 Roosevelt dime encompasses five distinct categories, each with unique characteristics that determine collector value. Circulation strikes from Philadelphia and Denver represent high-volume production, while the West Point commemorative edition offers genuine scarcity with its limited release. San Francisco proof specimens provide premium quality for collectors, available in both standard clad and special silver compositions that command different price points based on precious metal content and superior striking quality.

 

1996-P Dime Value

The 1996-P Roosevelt dime achieved remarkable production volume with over 1.42 billion pieces struck at the Philadelphia Mint, representing the highest output among all 1996 dime varieties.

Despite this massive mintage, the Philadelphia issue becomes increasingly valuable when superior strike quality meets exceptional preservation, particularly among specimens displaying Full Bands characteristics. The true investment potential emerges at elite certification levels, where condition scarcity transforms common circulation strikes into premium collectibles.

Professional grading services have certified only a limited population at MS67 and MS68 grades with Full Bands, with institutions recording 29 specimens at MS68 FB with zero graded higher. Market prices escalate dramatically at these premium levels, with MS67 examples commanding $45 and MS68 specimens reaching $1,050 with Full Bands.

A 1996-P graded MS68 Full Bands achieved $1,385 at auction, demonstrating the exponential value increase when pristine preservation combines with sharp strike characteristics.

Recent auction results provide valuable pricing benchmarks across different grades for Philadelphia specimens.

Market activity patterns over the past year reveal sustained collector engagement with 1996-P dimes.

 

1996-D Dime Value

The 1996-D Roosevelt dime most parallel mintage similar to Philadelphia circulation creates interesting market dynamics, where Denver issues often trade at comparable prices to Philadelphia counterparts across most grade levels, yet subtle, cheaper price differences emerge at premium tiers .

Circulated 1996-D dimes hold face value only, while uncirculated examples begin at approximately $2.47 in basic mint state grades. The value progression remains modest through MS66-MS68 levels, where abundant supply keeps premiums relatively contained for collectors seeking affordable additions to date sets.

Market activity demonstrates accessible pricing even at MS68 grade, with a 2004 auction realizing just $38 for a standard strike specimen. However, superior strike characteristics elevate values dramatically—an MS68 specimen with complete torch band separation achieved $750 at auction.

The 1996-D offers excellent collecting value for budget-conscious numismatists building Roosevelt dime sets.

Auction records demonstrate the trading dynamics for Denver Mint examples at various quality levels.

Tracking market trends helps measure collector interest and liquidity for 1996-D specimens.

 

1996-W Dime Value

The 1996-W Roosevelt dime holds the distinction of being the first United States dime to bear the West Point “W” mint mark, created exclusively to commemorate the Roosevelt dime series’ 50th anniversary.

This limited mintage makes it the lowest-mintage business-strike Roosevelt dime in the entire series, even scarcer than the silver dimes minted from 1946 to 1964.

The distribution method made the 1996-W instantly collectible—available exclusively within the year’s 11-coin Uncirculated Mint Sets that contained five denominations each from Philadelphia and Denver mints plus the special West Point dime.

Each commemorative dime arrived sealed in protective cellophane packaging within the mint set envelope, preserving the coin’s brilliant uncirculated surfaces from handling and environmental exposure.

Certified specimens demonstrate graduated pricing based on preservation quality. Entry-level MS65 grades begin around $16, with MS68 examples reaching approximately $65 in today’s market. The pinnacle MS69 FB grade achieved $411 at a 2014 Heritage Auctions sale, representing the finest known examples with exceptional strike characteristics and surface preservation.

Historical auction data showcases the premium values achieved by this key commemorative issue.

Market activity charts reflect the consistently strong collector demand for West Point anniversary dimes.

 

1996-S DCAM Dime Value

The 1996-S clad proof dime represents San Francisco Mint’s contribution to anniversary year production with 1,750,244 pieces struck featuring copper-nickel composition over a pure copper center, making it more than twice as common as its silver counterpart yet still a collector-only issue never released for circulation.

This standard proof version arrived in regular annual proof sets sold directly to collectors, providing widespread accessibility while maintaining the premium quality standards expected from proof coinage.

The Deep Cameo designation distinguishes superior specimens where frosted design elements create dramatic contrast against deeply mirrored background fields. This visual effect proves particularly pronounced on Roosevelt’s portrait features and the torch’s flame details, where the Manufacturing process at San Francisco produced consistently sharp strikes with minimal die wear throughout the production run.

Entry-level pricing remains extremely affordable, with uncertified Deep Cameo examples trading around $3-$5 and certified PR69 DCAM specimens available for $7-$18 in today’s market. The accessible pricing structure makes this variety ideal for collectors assembling comprehensive Roosevelt dime proof sets without substantial financial commitment, while still obtaining genuine Deep Cameo contrast quality.

Population data reveals that documented 18 specimens at PR70 DCAM, indicating that perfect specimens exist in few quantities yet remain condition rarities worth pursuing. The auction record demonstrates surprising strength at $600 for a PR68 DCAM specimen, showing that exceptional quality and strong eye appeal can command substantial premiums even below the perfect PR70 tier.

Auction performance illustrates pricing structure for clad proof specimens across the grading spectrum.

Monitoring market patterns reveals the steady collector base pursuing 1996-S Deep Cameo proofs.

 

1996-S Silver DCAM Dime Value

The 1996-S silver proof dime contains 90% silver and 10% copper with a weight of 2.50 grams, struck with a mintage of only 775,021 pieces exclusively for premium silver proof sets sold at higher prices than standard clad versions.

This silver composition connects the coin directly to the original 1946-1964 Roosevelt dime tradition, making it become the modern anniversary-year dime sharing the same precious metal content as John Sinnock’s original design specifications.

The silver planchet creates enhanced Deep Cameo contrast superior to clad versions, as the metal’s reflective properties produce exceptionally brilliant mirror fields that amplify the frosted relief elements’ visual impact. Collectors and grading services consistently note that silver proofs achieve deeper cameo effects with greater consistency than copper-nickel strikes, making Deep Cameo designation almost universal among properly stored specimens from this issue.

Base-level pricing starts around $9-$12 for raw Deep Cameo examples, reflecting both precious metal content and numismatic premiums beyond simple silver melt value. Certified PR69 DCAM specimens trade in the $15-$25 range depending on certification service and current silver market conditions, providing affordable access to premium-quality silver proofs.

The auction record reached $575 for a perfect PR70 DCAM specimen, demonstrating the great price commanded by flawless examples at the absolute perfect of condition preservation.

Recent sales records establish value benchmarks for silver proof examples at elite certification levels.

Market activity analysis indicates robust collector interest in premium silver Deep Cameo specimens.

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

 

Rare 1996 Dime Error List

When most 1996 Roosevelt dimes were struck to exacting specifications, a small percentage exhibit minting anomalies that significantly enhance their collector value.

1. Broadstrike Errors

Broadstrike errors happen when the restraining collar fails to rise during striking, allowing the metal to spread beyond normal diameter specifications. The resulting coin appears noticeably larger and thinner than standard specimens, with smooth rather than reeded edges.

Values for 1996 broadstrikes typically range from $5 to $20 depending on the expansion degree and overall condition. Uncentered broadstrikes, where the design appears off-center but remains complete, represent a distinct subcategory within this error type.

2. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet fails to align properly between the dies during striking, resulting in partial design elements and visible blank areas. The error’s value increases proportionally with the degree of misalignment—minor 5-10% shifts command modest premiums, while dramatic 50% or greater displacements with visible dates can reach hundreds of dollars.

Authentication requires examining both sides to confirm the striking pattern matches the percentage of off-center displacement. These errors demonstrate the precise tolerances required in modern minting operations.

3. Missing Clad Layer Errors

This dramatic error exposes the pure copper core when one nickel-clad outer layer fails to bond properly during planchet preparation. Affected coins display distinct copper coloration on either the obverse or reverse while maintaining normal silver appearance on the opposite side.

Missing clad layer errors typically command premiums around $20-$40 for Roosevelt dimes. The contrasting metal colors make these errors immediately recognizable even to novice collectors.

 

Where to Sell Your 1996 Dime?

Whether selling through online marketplaces, local coin dealers, or specialized numismatic shops, always obtain professional grading institutions for higher-value specimens to maximize returns.

Multiple quotes ensure competitive pricing, particularly for key varieties like the 1996-W or Full Bands examples that command substantial premiums in today’s collector market.

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

 

1996 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about The 1996 Dime

1. What makes the 1996-W dime special?

The 1996-W Roosevelt dime represents a historic first as the only business-strike dime to bear the West Point “W” mint mark. Struck to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt dime series, it was produced exclusively for 1996 Uncirculated Mint Sets as a bonus coin, with a limited production of just 1,457,000 pieces—making it the lowest-mintage business-strike Roosevelt dime in the entire series.

2. Are regular 1996-P and 1996-D dimes worth more than face value?

Standard circulated 1996-P and 1996-D dimes remain at face value of 10 cents. However, uncirculated examples in MS65 grade typically command around $1.50 to $2.50, with Full Bands specimens achieving significantly higher premiums depending on grade quality.

3. What’s the difference between 1996 proof dimes?

The 1996-S proof dimes were struck at San Francisco in two versions: standard clad proofs and special 90% silver proofs. The clad version had a production of 1,750,244 pieces, while the silver proof edition produced only 775,021 specimens. Silver proofs typically command higher values due to both precious metal content and lower mintages.