Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List (Year Chart)

While Roosevelt dimes remain common in everyday circulation, a select few examples have achieved extraordinary values that rival some of the most sought-after rarities in American numismatics.

These exceptional coins share common threads: dramatic mint errors, pristine preservation in top census grades, or the perfect combination of scarcity and eye appeal.

The most valuable Roosevelt dimes range from transitional wrong-planchet strikes documenting America’s shift away from silver coinage to proof specimens with stunning Deep Cameo surfaces that early 1950s production methods rarely achieved.

Error varieties like the legendary 1975 No S Proof—with only two examples certified by PCGS—have commanded prices exceeding $450,000, while other rarities consistently achieve five-figure results at auction.

This chart examines the ten most valuable Roosevelt dimes ever sold, revealing how factors like technical perfection, extreme rarity, and historical significance can transform a ten-cent coin into a highly coveted treasure sought by elite collectors and registry set competitors worldwide.

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The Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

1. 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $456,000 (PCGS PR68, Heritage Auctions, 2019)

The 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime is one of the most extraordinary rarities in American numismatics, representing a legendary mint error that has achieved near-mythical status among collectors. This coin’s exceptional value stems from its extreme scarcity – only two examples are known to exist in all grades.

The “No S” designation indicates a critical mint error where the San Francisco mintmark was accidentally omitted from the proof die. This error occurred due to the way proof dies were handled beginning in 1968, when all proof dies were prepared at the Philadelphia Mint before being sent to San Francisco. During this process, the mintmark was accidentally left off this particular die, creating one of the rarest modern American coins.

The $456,000 sale price for this PR68 example reflects its status as the “Finest Known” among the two traced specimens. Previous auction results have seen similar examples sell for $349,000, demonstrating the coin’s consistent high value in the marketplace.

What makes this coin particularly special is its position as one of the few major rarities that had never been sold at public auction until recently. The PCGS population data shows just 1 coin certified at the PR68 grade level with 0 grading higher, making this an apex rarity that represents the pinnacle of modern coin collecting.

This combination of extreme scarcity, mint error significance, and perfect preservation makes it one of the most coveted coins in American numismatics.

Check 1975 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

2. 1968 No S Cameo Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $48,875 (PCGS PR68, Heritage Auctions, 2006)

The 1968 No S Cameo Roosevelt Dime represents an exceptionally rare combination of a famous mint error with superior surface quality. This coin is the first proof coin accidentally struck by the United States Mint without the S mint mark, making it a landmark error in modern American numismatics.

This error occurred when the San Francisco Mint reopened for proof production in 1968. During die preparation at the Philadelphia Mint, the “S” mintmark was accidentally omitted before the dies were sent to San Francisco. Since proof coins were not struck at Philadelphia in 1968, collectors immediately recognized this as a significant anomaly.

What makes this particular example extraordinarily valuable is its Cameo designation combined with the PR68 grade. The Cameo finish features frosted devices that create noticeable contrast against deeply mirrored fields, requiring fresh dies and precise striking conditions.

Only a few dozen 1968 No S dimes exist across all grades, and the PCGS population data shows just 9 certified examples at the PR68 grade level with the Cameo designation.

The $48,875 sale price in September 2006 reflects both the base rarity of the No S error and the added scarcity of the Cameo designation, making this coin an exceptional opportunity for advanced Roosevelt dime collectors and registry set participants.

Check 1968 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

3. 1951 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $23,500 (PCGS PR68, Heritage Auctions, 2014)

This 1951 Roosevelt proof dime in PR68 Deep Cameo grade is exceptionally rare and valuable. While the 1951 proof dime is common in regular proof condition, only about 20% qualify as Cameos, and less than 0.5% achieve Deep Cameo designation.

Deep Cameo coins display dramatic contrast between frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields, creating a stunning visual effect. Among the thousands of 1951 proofs certified by PCGS, Deep Cameos are extraordinarily scarce. This coin is one of only 7 examples graded PR68 Deep Cameo.

The $23,500 sale price represents an auction record for this designation, significantly exceeding the PCGS price guide value of $7,000. Another PR68 Deep Cameo example previously sold for $14,100, demonstrating strong market demand.

From the early Roosevelt dime proof series starting in 1950, only 57,500 proof sets were produced in 1951. The technical challenges of maintaining cameo contrast in early 1950s production makes survivors particularly desirable to collectors pursuing high-quality type coins and registry sets.

Check 1951 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

4. 1956 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $19,975 (PCGS PR69DC, Heritage Auctions, 2016)

This 1956 Roosevelt dime achieved the finest possible grade of PR69 Deep Cameo, making it a population-top specimen. While standard 1956 proofs are readily available in lower grades, obtaining Deep Cameo examples becomes extremely challenging, particularly at the PR68 level and above. This specimen stands at the absolute peak—only 6 coins have been certified at PR69DC by PCGS, with none graded finer.

The Deep Cameo designation distinguishes this piece through its heavily frosted portrait and torch against brilliantly reflective mirror fields, creating striking visual depth that early 1950s proof production seldom achieved consistently.

Despite the substantial original mintage of 669,384 proof sets, maintaining such pristine surfaces with full cameo contrast proved extraordinarily difficult over nearly seven decades.

The $19,975 auction result set a record for this date and established this coin as a cornerstone acquisition for serious registry competitors. This price demonstrates the intense competition among elite collectors seeking population-top specimens with maximum eye appeal.

For numismatists building world-class Roosevelt proof collections, coins of this caliber rarely become available. The combination of technical perfection, census rarity, and stunning aesthetic qualities makes this an investment-grade piece that anchors any advanced collection.

 

5. 1950 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $18,800 (PCGS PR68, Heritage Auctions)

As the inaugural year of Roosevelt proof dimes, 1950 holds special historical significance for collectors. This PR68 Deep Cameo specimen captures the series at its genesis, when production methods had yet to consistently achieve the striking cameo effects that define premium examples. High-grade 1950 proofs become increasingly difficult to locate, particularly with Deep Cameo contrast.

This coin stands among the absolute finest known. Only 6 specimens have earned PR68 Deep Cameo certification from PCGS, placing it at the top of the census.

The intense visual separation between brilliantly reflective fields and heavily textured design elements creates an aesthetic impact rarely seen in early 1950s proof production. Maintaining such pristine surfaces with full cameo contrast over more than seven decades has proven extraordinarily challenging.

In 2014, this 1950PR68 Roosevelt dime sold at auction for $18,800. This price underscores the premium placed on first-year issues that combine technical perfection with dramatic eye appeal.

For specialists pursuing complete Roosevelt proof sets, this coin offers both historical importance and census-level rarity, making it a museum-quality piece that would anchor any world-class collection.

 

6. 1999-D Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $14,375 (PCGS MS65, Heritage Auctions, 2009)

This 1999-D Roosevelt Dime represents one of numismatics’ most fascinating paradoxes—a “seemingly impossible” error. Wrong-metal strikes on larger planchets normally cannot occur because the oversized blank won’t fit through the collar die. This specimen achieved the impossible through a dual malfunction: the dime design was struck on a copper cent planchet (2.5 grams versus the normal 2.268g) while simultaneously being broad struck out-of-collar, allowing the larger blank to pass through.

What makes this error exceptional is its triple rarity: wrong planchet composition, broadstrike characteristics, and gem-quality preservation. The coin displays stunning blue-green, violet, and gold-orange toning with sharp devices and significant unstruck margins, earning its MS65 Brown grade.

The market recognizes this error’s significance. This piece commanded $14,375 at Heritage’s January 2009 Auction, while another example sold for $6,325 in mid-2015.

The substantial premium reflects multiple factors: the error requires simultaneous equipment failures, few examples exist, and the visual drama appeals strongly to advanced error collectors. Each surviving specimen represents a convergence of minting mishaps that shouldn’t theoretically occur, making them prized artifacts of mint production anomalies.

 

7. 1949 Full Band Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $13,200 (PCGS MS68FB, Stack’s Bowers Auction, 2018)

This 1949 Philadelphia Roosevelt dime certified MS68 FB represents the finest example at PCGS, with no specimen grading higher at NGC or any other service. The “FB” (Full Bands) designation requires complete, unbroken horizontal bands on the torch’s flame holder—a detail notoriously difficult to achieve in early Roosevelt dimes due to worn dies and striking inconsistencies.

The obverse displays rich bands of colorful iridescence intensifying at the right border, with teal, violet, and magenta hues, while the reverse remains virtually brilliant except for slight olive patina.

From a mintage of 30.9 million coins, locating survivors with pristine surfaces and Full Bands becomes exponentially harder at premium grade levels. This Roosevelt dime, graded MS68 Full Bands, sold at auction in 2018 for $13,200, highlighting the strong demand for top-quality Roosevelt dimes.

For PCGS Registry Set competitors, this coin delivers maximum point value while offering breathtaking aesthetic qualities. Coming from the distinguished Anne Kate Collection, it represents perfection in preservation and technical execution, making it the ultimate acquisition for serious Roosevelt dime specialists pursuing census-topping specimens.

 

8. 1946 Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $12,650 (NGC MS69, Superior Galleries Auction, 2004)

This inaugural-year 1946 Roosevelt dime certified MS69 by NGC claims the highest grade achievable for business strike coins. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint with no mint mark, this dime launched the series just months after President Roosevelt’s death in 1945, memorializing the leader who championed the March of Dimes organization.

High-grade examples become increasingly scarce as condition improves, with specimens at the MS69 level representing the absolute pinnacle of preservation.

The auction designation “Star” signifies exceptional eye appeal beyond the numerical grade—a recognition reserved for coins displaying superior strike quality, luster, and surface preservation.

The $12,650 sale price in November 2004 established this coin as the auction record holder for the date. For registry participants and first-year specialists, this piece delivers unmatched significance by combining historical importance with technical perfection.

As the genesis issue of America’s longest-running modern dime series—a design still minted today—this MS69 specimen captures the transition moment from wartime to peacetime coinage with preservation quality that cannot be improved upon.

Check 1946 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

9. 1965 Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $12,600 (PCGS AU58, Heritage Auctions, 2024)

This 1965 Roosevelt dime graded AU58 by PCGS belongs to one of numismatics’ most fascinating error categories—transitional wrong planchet strikes.

The coin was struck in 1965 or early 1966 when the Philadelphia Mint simultaneously produced dimes in two different compositions: the outgoing 90% silver alloy and the incoming copper-nickel clad composition.

Silver planchets were intended exclusively for 1964-dated dies, while the new clad blanks received 1965 dates, but a few silver planchets mistakenly entered presses fitted with 1965 dies.

The error reportedly occurred when planchets became lodged in bin or hopper crevices and were later freed by subsequent waves of blanks.

Cataloged as Breen-3761 and considered extremely rare by numismatic authority Walter Breen, this transitional error belongs to the same category as the famous 1943 bronze cents and 1944 steel cents—wrong planchet errors occurring during major compositional changes. The coin displays light iridescent gold toning across lustrous satin surfaces with a bold strike.

In March 2024, the coin was successfully auctioned for $12,600. This error remains genuinely scarce, offering both historical importance and investment potential for advanced error specialists seeking coins that capture transformative moments in U.S. monetary history.

Check 1965 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

10. 1966 SMS Special Strike Roosevelt Dime

Record Price: $12,500 (PCGS SP67, eBay, 2021)

This 1966 SMS Roosevelt Dime represents the FS-401 variety, officially designated as the “5 on Cheek” attribution, characterized by a distinctive impression resembling the numeral “5” on Roosevelt’s cheek. This variety has been catalogued by major third-party grading services and is documented in authoritative references such as the Cherrypickers’ Guide.

The coin’s rarity stems from multiple factors. Special Mint Sets were produced during 1965-1967 when traditional proof production was suspended due to a nationwide coin shortage.

SMS coins were struck with polished dies and blanks, creating superior finishes between regular circulation strikes and proof quality. The 1966 SMS dimes had a mintage of 2,260,000, but the “5 on Cheek” variety is dramatically scarcer.

The mark was caused by lint or debris during die production that coincidentally resembles a “5”, making it a struck-through error rather than an intentional design element. This accidental nature combined with its rarity drives collector demand.

This specimen’s PCGS SP67 grade indicates superb gem quality with exceptional eye appeal. The $12,499.99 February 2021 sale represents the auction record for this variety. More recent examples in SP67 have sold for approximately $1,500, suggesting significant market volatility.

The dramatic price difference reflects evolving collector interest in this unusual variety, with peak prices commanded by exceptional specimens during periods of heightened demand.

Check 1966 Roosevelt Dime History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List