Rare Dimes and Bicentennial Quarter Worth $125B – Do You Have One?

In the fall of 2021, Tom Jenkins cleaned out the garage of his father, who died last year, hoping to clear up the clutter. While searching through the dusty space, he found a small wooden box. Inside was a plastic sleeve containing what seemed to be a regular 1976 Bicentennial quarter among fishing lures and old keys. He figured it was just another coin and almost added it to the pile labeled for donating. Then he noticed the way it looked odd compared to other coins.

“It looked different somehow-the strike was sharper, and Washington’s hair had details I hadn’t seen before,” Tom recalls. “On a whim, I took it to a local coin dealer, expecting maybe a five-dollar novelty value.”

The dealer inspected it under a magnifying lens, then looked at Tom with wide eyes. What Tom was able to find out, however, was nothing short of the rarest kind of the transitional error quarter- struck on a planchet made of silver rather than that standard copper-nickel- worth well above $17,000.

“I almost fell over,” says Tom, laughing. “Dad always told us kids to check our change, but I never took him seriously until that moment.”

The article provides an entertaining look at the most valuable dimes again with the Bicentennial quarters, their identifying features, and whether or not one suspects he holds great wealth in the palm of his hand.

Billion-Dollars Dimes Hidden In Plain Sight

Quarters often get more flamboyant treatments due to their size and very fine commemorative designs, but rare dimes account in part for some of the most valuable coins which might still be found in circulation or common collections.

1916-D Mercury Dime the Legendary

The crowning jewel among twentieth-generation dimes remains the 1916-D Mercury dime. It was minted in Denver during the initial year of the Mercury dime pattern, and only 264,000 were made: a paltry number in U.S. Mint terms.

“The 1916-D is the king of all Mercury dimes,” says Eleanor Harris, a numismatist with more than 40 years’ experience. “The Denver Mint was focused on producing quarters that year, thus very limited dimes were struck. These dimes, even in very worn condition, command thousands.”

Key identifying features include:

• The “D” mintmark located on the reverse (back) side near the base of the fasces (the bundle of rods)
• Date 1916 on the obverse (front)
• The winged Liberty head design (commonly but incorrectly called “Mercury”)

Margaret Wilson found a 1916-D Mercury dime in her grandmother’s collection. “Grandma had this old blue folder with dimes she had been saving since the 1930s. The 1916-D was there, sitting in its proper place. She’d written ’25¢’ in pencil next to it-it’s what she paid for it back in 1937.” Nevertheless, that coin could have been appraised for $7,800 despite being heavily circulated.

1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate Error

From the errors, the coins which are particularly sought after are the ones which command an exceptional premium; the 1942/1 Mercury dime overdate being among the more valuable. This rare variety resulted when a die having “1941” was not completely effaced before being lined up for restriking with “1942”, thereby leaving traces of the “1” visible under the “2” in the date.

“This is what we call a ‘naked-eye’ error,” says Richard Hamilton, auction director at a leading numismatic auction house. “You do not need magnification to see it, which makes it particularly attractive to collectors. The ‘1’ under the ‘2’ is very visible once you know what to look for.”

Earlier signs of the coin from the Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (“D” mint mark) mints; the Philadelphia version is the more common yet both bear a considerable value:

• Philadelphia (no mintmark): $3,500+ in circulated condition
• Denver (“D” mintmark): $7,500+ in circulated condition and $50,000+ in uncirculated condition

A Pennsylvania construction worker named Frank Miller received a dime from 1942/1 Philadelphia in a bank roll in 2020. “I was just getting change for the laundromat,” he laughs. “Now I check every roll of dimes I can get my hands on.”

1968 No-S Proof Dime

One of the most valuable modern rarities is the 1968 No-S proof dime found in circulation. All proof coins are special collectible editions, and in 1968, the San Francisco mint (denoted by the “S” mintmark) struck all proof coins. However, a few were mistakenly struck without the “S” mintmark.

“We strongly believe that fewer than 20 authentic examples exist,” says Jennifer Chen, an authentication specialist with a leading coin grading service. “They would only be found in proof sets sold directly to collectors that year-not in circulation. But certain proof coins do sometimes make their way into circulation, especially when non-collectors inherit these sets.”

Identifying characteristics include:

• Absence of the “S” mintmark where it should appear below the date
• Mirrored, reflective fields (background)
• Frosted, raised design elements
• Overall superior strike quality compared to circulation coins

Authentic examples have sold for over $100,000, making this one of the most valuable dimes of the modern era.

Bicentennial quarters:

America’s overlooked treasures:

Created on 1975 and 1976 this quarter features a unique reverse of a colonial drummer to commemorate America’s 200th birthday, and such U.S. coin is a current one. It is over 1.7 billion coins pressed for circulation, although certain types and errors can go extraordinarily valuable.

Error in Silver Composition

In fact, the standard bicentennial quarters were pure copper-nickel, while the Mint produced silver versions for collectors only. Such blunders accidentally employed silver planchets for an entire production run for regular coins.

There have been intense arguments as to what actually happened: “These error transitionally are very rare indeed. The silver versions possess a different weight and resonance. If you tap a genuine silver error quarter against a hard surface, it gives a distinct ringing sound instead of the dull thud associated with copper-nickel.” James Wilson, a coin dealer specializing in error coins, states.

Identifying characteristics of silver composition errors:

• Weight approximately 6.25 grams (vs. 5.67 grams for standard quarters)
• No copper stripe visible on the edge
• Bright silver color without the copper toning that develops on standard quarters
• Different sound when dropped on a hard surface

In 2019, this particular coin caught the eye of bank teller Sandra Martinez from Chicago. “It looked shinier in comparison to the rest and somehow weighed a bit more in my hand. I replaced it with one of my quarters and got it appraised afterward. It’s worth $7,80.”

Double Die Obverse Variety

During the minting process, the die receives multiple impressions from the hub, all of which are slightly offset from one another. For Bicentennial quarters, this is most noticeable on the obverse, primarily in the letters of “LIBERTY,” and with the date on it.

“You’ll see clear separation in the letters under magnification,” states Robert Thompson, an error coin specialist. “It’s most visible in the ‘L’ and ‘B’ of LIBERTY and in the ‘6’ of 1776. This isn’t just a slight doubling—it’s dramatic enough that even non-collectors often notice something looks ‘off’ about the coin.”

Depending on condition, these double die varieties range from $200 to $5000, perhaps more.

The Backward Impressions of The Drummer Boy

A number of valuable errors affect the reverse die design featuring the colonial drummer:

• Missing drummer’s head-An unfortunate case of die-filling error. He appears without a head.
• Missing features of the building: Seemingly parts of Independence Hall.
• Major strikes-thru error-When the foreign substance was introduced between the die and the planchet during the striking process.

“These dramatic line errors have such a strong appeal with collectors,” says Patricia Lee, curator of American coinage in one of the larger East Coast museums. “In particular, the eerie appeal of the ‘headless drummer’ variety drives its value well beyond anything you might expect from such a modern coin.”

The exceptionally dramatic “headless drummer” example auctioned for $6,750 in 2022.

There may still be coins worth millions and billions out there, in circulation or in collections. Knowledge about checking one’s own change is a good source for some pleasant surprises.

Essential Tools for the Beginner

You need not to spend much on tools to start identifying useful varieties. To begin with:

• Good magnifying glass (10X magnification is good for most varieties)
• Digital scale (accurate to 0.01 grams)
• Calipers for diameter measurement (digital or dial)
• Good lighting (natural daylight or a daylight-spectrum lamp)
• Reference pictures of the varieties you are searching for.

Michael Davis says: “Start with just a magnifying glass and your smartphone. You can pull up reference images online to compare with your coins. Once you find something promising, then consider investing in better equipment.” Michael Davis found a 1972 doubled-die Lincoln cent worth $700 in his change jar.

The Method of Reviewing the Five Points

A veteran in numismatics will tell you the methodical way of examining coins, which includes:

• Date and mintmark: You start with this as they mostly classify the keys to rarity
• Composition: Note the weight, color, and edge appearance
• Varieties and errors: Look for double punching, over stamps, or rotated dies
• Strike quality: Observe for weakness, off-centering, or other striking problems
• Condition: Assess for wear, damage, evidence of cleaning, or other elements impacting value

“”Methodical prevents missing crucial details,” says retired banker, weekend coins hunter Thomas Greene. “I keep a checklist next to me and go through every coin. It’s longer, but that’s how I found my 1942/1 Mercury dime worth over $3000.””

You would be able to see the data update within October 2023.

Misconceptions to steer clear:

Just because it looks a little strange doesn’t mean the coin is valuable. Beware of:

• Post-mint damage: Scratches, gouges, or environmental damage that are often mistaken for mint errors
• Altered coins: Manipulated to look like errors or rare varieties
• Cleaned coins: Improper cleaning of coins destroys much of their value
• “Magic” acid dates: Are coin acid-etched so that one date appears to be over another

“I see many people getting excited about what turns out to be damaged coins. Yesterday, somebody brought in what they thought was a doubled-die quarter, but it turned out to be mechanical doubling-very common with very little worth. That is a teaching moment that could save lots of heartache but takes a long time to learn.”

To Worth $125 Billion or Not:

A Question That Deserves Our Attention

We should therefore take a closer look at the statement with the assertion that rare dimes and Bicentennial quarters could be collectively worth $125 billion.

Let us analyze where this figure may come from:

• Mercury Dime without Mintmark from 1916-D: Minted possibly in 264,000 pieces with probably 10,000 remaining in all grades, the average of 1,000 dollars is cited with the poor, heavily worn examples calculated in. Total: $10 million.
• Mercury Dime Overdate, 1942/1: Perhaps 10,000 to 15,000 remaining in condition types from both mints out of a total of 15,000-20,000. Appropriate average value: US$3,000. Total: US$30-$45 million.
• Bicentennial Quarters Silver Composition: Maybe 50-100 confirmable specimens. Average Value: $7,000. Total: $350,000-$700,000.
• Other rare dimes and quarters (key dates, major errors, and varieties): Potentially millions, with values from $10 to $10,000+.

An interesting view is offered by Robert Wilkins, economic historian and numismatic researcher: “The $125 billion figure is almost certainly hyperbole unless you are including theoretical values of undiscovered great rarities. The total rare coin market in the U.S. trades about $5 to $8 billion annually. However, the legitimate point is that there is probably a lot of value sitting in circulation, undiscovered, or locked away in inherited collections.”

The Authentic Scope of Hidden Value

Even if the theoretical value amounts to $125 billion, overwhelming numismatic treasures are still quite opulent in real value.

“Even if we’re talking about ‘only’ a few billion dollars in overlooked coin value, that’s still remarkable,” according to Catherine Zhang, an analyst and rare coin investor. “Most Americans have at least one jar of unsorted change at home. Multiply that by 120 million households, and it starts to make sense.”

This view has been corroborated by recent finds:

2022: A Tennessee family found a jar with three 1916-D dimes still lying in their attic.
2023: A wrongly identified group of seven error coins was found by a Massachusetts bank teller in a single month.
2024: A Roll hunter in Oregon came across a 1942/1 Mercury dime in a bank roll in January.

Real Tales from Everyday People

Beyond all the numbers and values, it is the human stories of discoveries that create the real magic of coin collecting.

The Surprise of the Inheritance

James Martinez, a New Mexican, never thought much of his grandfather’s “penny hobby” until his inheritance of five coffee cans full of coins in 2021.

“Grandpa worked as a bus driver for 40 years and would set aside interesting coins from his fare box,” James explains. “I was going to cash them in at Coin star until a friend suggested I look through them first. Thank goodness I did—there were two 1916-D Mercury dimes in those cans, plus dozens of other valuable coins. All told, that ‘spare change’ was worth more than $23,000.”

Discovery by Pocket Change

In 2023, California’s nursing school student, Elizabeth Wong, discovered a 1968-S proof dime hidden in the change she got from a coffee house.

“She said ‘I caught it only because it struck so shiny against the other dimes’. “I had just seen a YouTube video on the previous night regarding extremely valuable coins, so this topic seemed to be on my mind. It was not the super-rare no-S variety but worth about $20 as a proof coin that somehow got into the world. That got me to check all my coins now.”

The Converted Bank Roll Hunter

In Florida, an elderly ex-postal worker has taken roll collecting as a road business. The two 1942/1 overdates, countless silver dimes, not to mention a 1921 Mercury dime whose worn condition alone would already sell for $900, were found through years worth of hard graft. My luckiest week has been finding a 1916-D in very good condition; it was enough to pay for my whole hunting hobby for years.”

Letting the World Know of Value Discoveries

If you find a valuable coin, all you need to know is how to sell it for the best price.

Professional Authentication

Any coin of potential worth must be authenticated professionally before any attempt is made to sell it.

“When there is a prevalence of forgeries and restored coins in the marketplace,” says Thomas Garcia, chief of security at a leading grading service, “professional authentication safeguards the purchaser as well as the seller.”

Comparison of Methods of Selling Options

The different options available for selling valuable coins come with various advantages and disadvantages:

• Coin dealers: Immediate payment, but usually, they will only offer 50-70% of the retail value.
• Auction (either in-person or online): Return potential is good, but fees average 10-20%.
• Directly to collectors: Highest return at the risk of needing additional market knowledge and possible security issues.
• Consignment: Handled by professionals but comes with a longer wait for your money.

“Last but not least, for extremely unusual pieces which are worth thousands, auction houses usually have the best combination of security, visibility to serious buyers, and an ideal fair market value,” counsels Patricia Hernandez, financial advisor specializing in alternative assets. “For more readily found semi-key dates worth about $20-$200, it could make more sense to go to a local coin shop, or an online marketplace.”

Valuable Dimes and Quarters Reference Table

Coin	Key Identifying Features	Approximate Value (Circulated)	Approximate Value (Uncirculated)	Estimated Surviving Population
1916-D Mercury Dime	D mintmark below wreath on reverse, 1916 date	$1,000-7,000	$10,000-30,000	~10,000
1942/1 Mercury Dime (Philadelphia)	Visible “1” underneath the “2” in date, no mintmark	$300-3,500	$10,000-20,000	~5,000
1942/1 Mercury Dime (Denver)	Visible “1” underneath the “2” in date, D mintmark	$700-7,500	$15,000-50,000	~2,000
1968 No-S Proof Dime	No S mintmark, mirror-like fields, 1968 date	N/A (not circulated)	$20,000-125,000	<20
1975-76 Silver Bicentennial Quarter Error	Silver composition, weighs 6.25g, no copper stripe on edge	$2,000-8,000	$5,000-20,000	~75-100
Bicentennial Quarter Double Die Obverse	Visible doubling on “LIBERTY” and dates	$50-300	$300-5,000	~5,000
Bicentennial “Headless Drummer” Error	Drummer missing head due to die filling error	$100-1,000	$1,000-7,000	~500
1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on 1c Planchet	Copper color, undersized, partial design	$1,000-5,000	$5,000-15,000	<50

The Treasure Hunt Continues

The promise of great coin finds buried in common change or inherited lots from relatives remains. While the “$125 billion” headline might float, true numismatic fortune lies ahead for someone.

As Tom Jenkins, whose story opened this article, reflects:, “That Bicentennial quarter changed how I look at pocket change forever. Now my kids and I play a game to check coins together. We haven’t found another major rarity yet, but the hunt itself has become a family tradition.”

Whether sorting through the dusty jar of coins you received from a relative or carefully combing through bank rolls, that element of discovery keeps the hobby going and very approachable. Coins can be rolled into savings; unlike most collectibles that require heavy investment, this collectible starts at near-face value: a roll of dimes costs only $5, yet could hold a coin worth thousands.

As you reach into your pocket or purse for change, take a moment to look more closely at those coins. That ordinary-looking dime or Bicentennial quarter just might be the treasure you’ve been reading about.

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