1967 American Dime: A Valuable Collectible or Just a Change?

When we think of collectible coins, images of vintage or rare specimens come to mind, but the 1967 US dime often remains in the shadow of its more famous, valuable and flashy “brethren”.

At first glance, the 1967 dime is an ordinary piece of change that can be found in any wallet. But look closer to learn the coin's history, a few unique features, and a glimpse of its potential to see if a 1967 dime is worth anything.

As you would guess, it is all actually not that simple. But what makes 1967 special for American dimes? Does a 1967 dime have silver in it?  Why do these coins lack the usual mint mark and is the 1967 dime no mint mark value high? Here we will through all the details together to see why collectors continue to pay attention to it.

Wind of Change: A Coin in the Midst of Transformation

A Shift in Minting

To understand why the 1967 coin is special, it's worth looking back to the historical events of the mid-60s. During this period, the U.S. faced an economic crisis due to a shortage of silver.

The rapid rise in silver prices in the early 1960s caused citizens to save up and melt down the silver coins that were in circulation. Prior to 1964, dimes, e.g., the 1916 Mercury Dime, quarters, and half dollars were minted in silver. So, are 1967 dimes silver? Unfortunately, no. Market conditions forced the government to switch to a cheaper copper-nickel alloy for coins starting in 1965.

Lost and Found: Where Is the Mint Mark on a 1967 Dime?

1967 dime error list could be topped by 1967 dime with no mint mark. But does it really belong to 1967 dime errors? Surprisingly, no. Usually the mint mark indicates which mint the coin was issued at: the letters “D” for Denver and “S” for San Francisco, for example. But what about the 1967 dime mint mark?

In 1967, America was in a period of post-war recovery and transformation, and the country's coinage was no exception. The year 1967 was special for coin collectors for another reason.

In 1967, America was in a period of post-war recovery and transformation, and the country's coinage was no exception. The year 1967 was special for coin collectors for another reason.  During this time, the government worked to stabilize the monetary system. As a result, the mints did not issue coins with their location marks. This was based on the idea that a 1967 dime with no mint mark would cause no problems.

In fact, this decision was made to simplify and speed up the minting of coins in times of crisis and shortage of change, thus the 1967 no mint mark dime along with other denominations was no exception. From 1965 to 1967, US coins did not have mint marks. These marks show where the coins were made, like Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco. After 1967, the mint marks returned. However, there are no mint dime examples from after 1967 that have these important symbols.

Design and Features: Attention to the Details

1967 American Dime is part of a series known as the Roosevelt Dime. This coin featuring a portrait of the 32nd President was first issued in 1946 to honor his significant contributions, (especially in the area of health care).

The obverse of the coin shows a portrait of Roosevelt, a man known for his concerns for the nation's interests. The reverse of the coin is full of symbolic details. The torch in the center of the reverse represents freedom and education, the olive branch on the left is a symbol of peace, and the oak branch on the right symbolizes the strength and independence of the nation. These elements emphasize values that remain important to the United States even today. Despite the change in composition, the 1967dime retains the classic design where every detail of the coin has its own symbolic meaning.

Related article: More about 1965 Quarters.

The main characteristics of the coin are in the table below.

Collect or Spend: How Much Is a 1967 Dime Worth?

Here we come to the main questions: are 1967 dimes worth anything and what is the value of a 1967 dime? And now we are ready to discuss the true value of coins. The 1967 dime value is relatively low if the coin was in circulation.

You can find out how much is a dime from 1967 from the table below. Please refer to the table below for details.

The coin was not part of limited issues, does not contain precious metals, so 1967 no mint mark dime value as a profitable collectible is low. However, if we are talking about the Mint State or popular 1967 dime error in God we trust inscription, then of course the value of such specimens will increase.

Collectors should also be aware that in 1967, the U.S. Mint did not produce Proof coins but, at the same time, Special Mint Sets were issued for collectors.  So, how much does a 1967 dime worth, if it is a part of this set?

As a rule, 1967 dime value (no mint mark, 1967 SMS piece) starts from 50 dollars and more depending on its condition and the availability of exceptional features: a cameo or deep cameo finish (i.e. in case relief elements of the coin have a matte surface, and the background have a mirror one).

While these coins are not given the status of true Proof ones, their rarity in excellent condition and attractive appearance make them of interest to collectors looking to gather a complete collection.

A Modest Hero as a Part of Collection

The 1967 dime is an interesting example of the changing period in the US minting history when silver was replaced by a copper-nickel alloy. The coin is a standard circulating dime, and while most pieces are not highly collectible, they still may be of interest because of the historical significance.

Frankly speaking, this coin probably won't bring you a lot of money, it will make a great addition to your collection, especially if you can find specimens from special coin sets. And with the Coin ID Scanner app, you can get a coin identifier app for free right on the spot.

And the next time you have a 1967 dime in your hands, remember that it has an entire era of change behind it - and that makes it considerably more than just a change.

Sources:

1. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/dimes/roosevelt-dimes-1946-date/15132/1967-10c-ms/

2. https://coinappraiser.com/coins/1967-p-roosevelt-dime/

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt_dime