Contents:
When people make mistakes, it is bad. But when coins have mistakes, it's suddenly good. How unfair. But if you have such a coin, you could sell it for some big money.
Dimes are an especially interesting case when we look for mistakes, as more dimes are minted than dollars or quarters. The more mints, the more mistakes. The rare dime error list and error identification guide is here for you.
While we are at it, this coin identifier can identify your other, “normal” coins and share their value.
Quick Overview: What Do Dimes Look Like?
The dime is the 10-cent coin of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. coin in diameter currently in circulation.
Denomination | 10 cents |
Diameter | 17.91 mm |
Weight | 2.268 g |
Edge | Reeded (small vertical ridges) |
Composition | Copper-nickel clad (since 1965) |
Color | Silver-gray |
Shape | Round |
Collectors recognize a coin from the worth rare dime error list quickly by three details:
Small diameter compared with pennies and nickels.
Reeded edge (fine grooves around the rim).
Torch and branches design on the reverse.
What Are Dime Errors?
A coin error is a mistake or defect. The mistake occurs during the minting process at a mint facility. These errors can affect the design, shape, composition, and even the weight of a dime.
Coin errors are accidental, but can make the coin more valuable to collectors, depending on the type and rarity of the error.
“Identifying dimes that are worth money often involves recognizing specific mint marks, dates, and error types.”
— Alistair Finch, Professor
Dime Valuation
What usually goes wrong with the 10-cents? Here is the error coin dime error list:
Off-Center Strike
Clipped Planchet
Double Die
Die Clash
Die Crack
Cud
Missing Clad Layer
Wrong Planchet
Repunched Mint Mark
Top 10 Rare Dime Error List by Year
1965 Dime – Struck on a Silver Planchet
In 1965 the U.S. Mint switched from 90% silver coinage to copper-nickel clad composition. A small number of leftover silver dime planchets from 1964 remained in the production system. When one of these blanks was struck with a 1965 die, the result was a 1965 specimen made of silver instead of clad metal.
These are transitional errors. Normal ones have a copper-nickel clad structure with a visible copper core on the edge. A silver example lacks that copper layer and looks uniform in color.
The 1965 dime error list includes:
Edge: solid silver color, no copper stripe
Weight of a dime in grams: about 2.50 g instead of 2.27 g
Color: consistent silver tone across the coin
Diameter: standard size (17.91 mm)
The difference is easiest to see on the edge. Clad coins show a copper band, while a silver planchet coin does not.
Documented examples are scarce. Certified specimens have sold for several thousand dollars, with value depending on grade and authentication.
1967-P Dime — Regular Strike Roosevelt Dime
The 1967 Roosevelt dime is a standard circulation issue from the mid-1960s clad coinage period. During these years the U.S. Mint temporarily removed mint marks to discourage coin hoarding, so the coin shows no mint mark, even though it was produced in Philadelphia.
These coins were struck in large quantities with the copper-nickel clad composition introduced in 1965. Most examples found today are common circulation pieces.
Circulated examples usually trade close to face value. Uncirculated coins with strong strike and clean surfaces can cost more.
1969-D Dime — Missing Clad Layer
A known production mistake involves the outer clad layer failing to bond properly to the copper core. When the coin is struck with one clad layer missing, the exposed surface appears copper-colored instead of silver.
This type of error occurred during the rolling and bonding stage when the clad metal layers were prepared before striking in 1969 pieces.
These rare error dimes worth money have:
Color: error dime with copper edge value tone on the affected side
Dime weight in grams: lower than normal, often around 1.9–2.0 g
Surface: flat or slightly rough appearance where the outer layer should be
The reverse side usually appears normal because the clad layer remains intact on that side. Values depend on the condition and the completeness of the missing layer.
1970-D Dime — Struck 50% Off-Center
Off-center dime error coins occur when the planchet is not properly seated in the collar before the dies strike the coin. As a result, part of the design is missing, and a blank crescent-shaped area appears.
A 50% off-center example is visually seen. Roughly half of the coin shows the normal design, while the other half remains blank metal.
Large blank area on one side
Partial portrait of Roosevelt
Distorted rim and incomplete lettering
Collectors usually prefer 1970 examples where the date and mint mark remain visible, since those details confirm the coin’s origin. Strong off-center errors like this often bring solid collector interest compared with minor misalignments.
1980-P Dime — Struck on a Defective Copper Core Planchet
Clads are made from a layered metal strip consisting of a copper core sandwiched between two copper-nickel outer layers. If the bonding process fails or the core metal is defective before striking, the finished coin can show unusual surface features. It may simply be called a rare error copper dime.
On a 1980 dime struck on a flawed copper-core planchet, collectors may observe irregular color patches, surface roughness, or areas where the clad layer appears thin. These defects originate in the metal strip before the blank is cut and struck.
Possible identification signs of this planchet error copper dime:
Uneven color between silver and faint copper tones
Rough or streaked metal texture
Slight weight variation from the standard 2.27 g
Most dime errors require magnification and weighing to confirm the defect. Coins with clear pre-strike planchet flaws are collected as mint error pieces.
1983-S Dime — San Francisco Mint Roosevelt Dime
The 1983-S Roosevelt dime was produced at the San Francisco Mint. During this period, the facility mainly struck collector coins rather than circulation issues.
Most 1983-S specimens appear as proof coins, made with specially polished dies and planchets. These coins show mirror-like fields and frosted design elements.
Proof examples were sold in annual proof sets for collectors and did not enter general circulation.
1988-D Dime — Regular Strike Roosevelt Dime from Denver
The 1988-D Roosevelt dime is a standard circulation coin struck at the Denver Mint. It carries the “D” mint mark next to the date on the obverse.
Millions of these coins were produced for everyday use. Most pieces found today are circulated examples with moderate wear.
Circulated coins generally trade at face value. Uncirculated examples with strong strike and minimal marks are sometimes collected as part of Roosevelt 10-cent date-and-mint sets.
1996-P Dime — Broadstruck with Obverse Brockage
A broadstrike occurs when a coin is struck outside the collar die, which normally forms the rim. Without the collar, the metal spreads outward during the strike.
In rare cases, a brockage can occur at the same time. It forms when a previously struck coin sticks to the die. The next planchet is then struck against that coin, producing a mirrored and incuse image of the design.
When both errors appear together, the coin shows two distinct features, like the 1996 D dime.
Expanded diameter with no raised rim
Distorted or stretched design elements
Mirrored, sunken image from the brockage on one side
Such combinations are unusual and are examined closely before certification.
1998-P & D Dime Set — Bonded Pair of Roosevelt Dimes
A bonded pair forms when two planchets enter the striking chamber at the same time and are struck together. The pressure of the dies forces the coins into contact, leaving them partially fused.
In a bonded pair error involving Roosevelt coins, the two coins may remain attached after striking or show a strong impression of each other’s surfaces.
Errors involving two planchets are rare because feeding mechanisms normally separate blanks before striking.
1999-D 10C — Broadstruck on a Cent Planchet
This error occurs when a 1999 dime design is struck on a planchet intended for a Lincoln cent. Since a cent blank differs in size and metal composition, the resulting coin has unusual physical characteristics called a dime penny error.
If the strike also occurs outside the collar, the coin becomes broadstruck as well.
Identification features:
Copper color instead of the usual silver tone
Larger diameter than a normal piece
No reeded edge
Weight closer to a cent
High penny dime error coin value
Wrong-planchet errors are among the most recognizable mint mistakes because the color, size, and edge differ clearly from normal coins.
Bonus: 1942/1 10C – MS67+
The 1942/1 Roosevelt dime is one of the most recognized overdate varieties in the rare dime error list with pictures. During die preparation, a die originally punched with the date 1941 was repunched with 1942, leaving traces of the earlier digit visible beneath the final date.
The result is a clear overdate where parts of the “1” appear under the “2” in the date. This variety was produced at the Philadelphia Mint and carries no mint mark.
Identification markers:
Remnants of the 1 visible under the 2 in the date
Most visible at the base and left side of the numeral
Requires magnification for clear confirmation
Last Words of Coin Joy
Most genuine errors reveal themselves through differences in weight, shape, edge, or metal appearance.
Checklist Error Coin Dime Error List
1. Check the edge. Start with the edge because it quickly reveals many errors.
2. Examine the color. Normal modern 10-cent coins have a silver-gray surface. Unusual color may signal a planchet problem.
3. Look for design distortion. Mint errors frequently distort the design or move it away from the center.
4. Inspect the rim and shape. The rim forms during striking and often reveals striking problems.
5. Weigh the coin. Weight differences help confirm planchet errors.
Type | Normal weight of dime |
Clad weight (1965–present) | 2.27 g |
Silver dime weight (pre-1965) | 2.50 g |
If a clad-era specimen weighs more or less, it may involve a wrong planchet or missing metal layer.
6. Use magnification. Many errors become visible only under loupes.
7. Confirm before certification. Only a small portion of unusual coins turn out to be true mint errors, included in the most valuable dime error list, but confirmed pieces can attract strong collector interest.
Facebook 
X (Twitter) 
Pinterest 
LinkedIn 
