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Hey, is that a dime from 1972? Lucky you.
You’re probably wondering, what is the 1972 dime value? We’ll tell you. As well as how to identify 1972 dime errors. Collectors love coins with errors.
Want to make sure what you have is an actual 1976 dime? This coin identifier will analyze your coin in a second!
1972 Roosevelt Dime Overview
The Roosevelt Dime got its name after the 32nd US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Observe: A profile of Roosevelt looking left. His eyes look at the word LIBERTY. IN GOD WE TRUST in smaller letters is right below the chin. To the right under the President's neck you can find the date,1972, with a mint mark.
Reverse: A flaming torch in the center, with olive branches on its sides. The words E PLURIBUS UNUM are in the background. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arch the upper side of the piece. The words ONE DIME take the lower part of the coin.
The main characteristics of the dime 1972 | |
Country | United States |
Years of Minting | 1965-2024 |
Type: | Standard circulation |
Shape: | Round |
Composition and metal content | 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel |
Diameter | 17.91 mm |
Weight | 2.268 grams |
The Mints | United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States Mint of San Francisco |
Fun fact: originally, dimes were silver-based, like many pieces of that time. However, starting in 1965, due to rising silver prices, the U.S. Mint removed silver from circulating dimes and switched to a clad composition of copper sandwiched between two layers of nickel.
Factors to 1972 Dime Value
How much is a 1972 dime worth? The answer to these questions depends on qualities like:
Mint marks.
Metal Composition.
Errors.
Grading.
For some pieces, historical significance also plays a role. Since this piece was minted in 1972, it’s too recent.
Mint Marks Value
A mint mark is a special letter, usually taking up the lower side of the coin. A mint mark signifies the place where the piece was struck.
Mark letter | Description | Mintage (1972) | Value for one piece (general) |
P-mark (or blank space) | Philadelphia Mint | 431,540,000 | $0.10 |
D-mark | Denver Mint | 330,290,000 | $0.10 |
S-mark | San Francisco Mint | 3,260,996 | $0.10 |
The 1972 no mint mark dime value is similar to fewer-mintage pieces. The main culprit to the low price is the material. Regular 1972 dimes have no silver, so their metal value is very low.
Let’s look at each mark’s variety. Maybe there’s something special about one out of three varieties.
1972 No Mint Mark Dime Value

1972 no mint Dime might surprise you because… well, it has no mint mark.
You see, Philadelphia where American mintign started. Everyone presumed that all coins came from the Philadelphia Mint, so they needed no special marks.
Don’t confuse the 1972 Dime “with no mint mark” with the “JS” mark. Such a mark doesn’t exist. It’s just an abbreviation of the coin’s designer, John R. Sinnock.
How much is a 1972 no mint mark Dime worth? A little. P-type is the most abundant. Therefore, the 1972 Dime value no mint mark is low.
1972 S Dime Value

Not many pieces were struck in San Francisco Mint. Many of them were specifically made for the collectors.
Ordinary pieces are no more than a dollar, similar to the 1972 P Dime value.
1972 D Dime Value

Denver Mint’s pieces’ value is similar to 1972 Dime no mint mark value. P-Dimes and D-Dimes had a similar mintage, after all.
1972 Dime D might not offer much in its normal state, but it has one big advantage. There are more 1972 D dime errors than from any other mark.
1972 Dime Error List With Pictures
Sometimes, a flawed coin escapes a Mint facility. Maybe one manufacturer wasn’t so happy that day, but collectors love uncommon pieces.
Is a 1972 dime worth anything? Normal ones, not much. The error ones? Absolutely.
Clipped Planchet 1972 Error

A piece of the coin looks like somebody cut it off? Your coin is clipped.
The 1972 D dime error value is $30 or more for the clipped pieces.
Error reason: When coin blanks are punched from a metal sheet, they should be evenly spaced. If the sheet shifts or overlaps during the punching, the punch may cut into the edge of the sheet. The result is a clipped piece.
Off-Center 1972 Dime Value Error

Off-centered coins are hard to miss. The whole piece looks asymmetrical and imperfect.
Depending on the severity of the error, the value of 1972 dime can rise to $70 or even more.
Error reason: When the machine is trying to strike a coin, it should be centered. If it’s off and the die only strikes a part of the planchet, the piece looks off-centered.
Double Die 1972 Error

This Roosevelt is looking a bit chonky. All because of the dying error, making the letter and the portrait look imperfect.
Clipped pieces can go for more than $50.
Error reason: When a coin is minted, the manufacturers use a press. In some cases they have to use the press more than once. If these impressions are misaligned, even slightly, the result is a doubled image on the die.
Dime Grading
How do you determine a good coin? With gradings. The coins that have received the highest grades are determined to be more desirable.
The collectors want to get the coins that have been well-preserved foremost.
Grade | Description | Key Features |
About Good (AG) | Heavily worn with faint outlines. Little detail remains. | Flat surfaces, only a faint outline of Roosevelt's profile. |
Good (G) | Well-worn with major details smoothed out. | Outlines present but faint; hair and lettering worn down. |
Fine (F) | Moderate wear, but major details remain visible. | Some hair detail visible; basic lettering clear. |
Very Fine (VF) | Light wear with sharp details on most areas. | Hairlines visible; torch on reverse shows bands partially. |
Extremely Fine (EF/XF) | Minimal wear, small scratches or contact marks possible. | Nearly full details on Roosevelt’s face and torch bands. |
About Uncirculated (AU) | Almost perfect, slight friction on the highest points. | Full design details, faint wear on cheek and torch tips. |
Mint State (MS) | No wear; may have minor marks from minting. | Lustrous surface, sharp details on Roosevelt’s portrait on the observe and torch on the reserve. |
Grading is probably the biggest outlier when it comes to 1976 silver dime value.
1972 Proof Dime Value

You saw the uncirculated category from the table. Mainly, one type of coin is attributed to it. Proof coins.
A proof coin is a specially made coin that is struck using a highly polished die and planchet (coin blank) to produce a sharp, detailed design and a mirror-like finish. These coins are not intended for circulation. They are made primarily for collectors.
Proof coins were only made in San Francisco (1972-S), and not intended for circulation.
An excellent-graded proof piece can get you $10–$25.
1972 Full Bands Dime Value
There’s one more type.
A sharply struck coin, with all details perfectly preserved, is called “Full Bands”. Here the value can climb to $30 and more.
How is it different from the Proof coins, which should also be perfectly preserved? Here’s a little table.
Feature | Full Bands (FB) Coin | Proof Coin |
Type | Regular strike. | Special collector strike. |
Key Characteristic | Sharp, separated torch bands. | Mirror background, frosted devices. |
Purpose | Circulation or collection. | Collector-only. |
Mint Marks | Usually P, D. | Usually S (San Francisco). |
Value Impact | Higher if FB in high grade. | Higher than face value. Still usually lower than FB. |
1972 Dime Value
A coin’s value depends on the grading, the marks, and possible errors.
How much is a 1972 dime worth? Let’s see the price table to find out the answer.
Piece | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-55 | MS-63 | MS-65 |
1972 P Dime | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.70 | $9.00 |
1972 S Dime | $0.44 | $0.66 | $0.88 | $1.10 | $1.32 | $1.54 | $1.76 |
1972 D Dime | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.70 | $9.00 |
It seems 1972 dimes worth money either have to be perfect or have the most gruesome errors.
How to Inspect Your Collectible
An inspection guide can help you find various errors and identify your piece.
Handle preferably with gloves.
Inspect fine details with a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe.
Examine inscriptions, faces, the rim and other design elements for evidence of doubling or cracks.
Look for textural changes, smudges, or elevated blobs that do not match the design.
Errors can exist on both sides, including the obverse, reverse, and rim as well.
Does this process seem hard for you? Or maybe you’re not sure of your prowess? There’s one more instrument that can help you in numismatic endeavors.
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