In the fascinating world of coin collecting, a few small pieces of metal hold enormous value and incredible stories. These aren’t just everyday dimes and quarters; they’re historical artifacts that have become numismatic legends.
Together, these ten rare dimes and bicentennial quarters could be worth a staggering $75 million. Let’s look into these tiny treasures and observe what makes them so special.
Barber
Let’s kick things off with the crown jewel of rare dimes — the 1894-S Barber Dime. Only 24 of these were minted, and just a few survive today. The story goes that John Daggett, San Francisco Mint Superintendent, had them made for banker friends and his own daughter. Legend says she spent one on ice cream.
Today, an 1894-S Barber Dime in good shape could easily fetch over $2 million at auction. It’s one of the rarest and most coveted U.S. coins ever produced.
Mercury
Next is the 1916-D Mercury Dime, a favorite among collectors. It was minted during the first year of the Mercury dime series at the Denver Mint, with only 264,000 struck. Because of its low mintage, it’s considered the key date of the series.
If you’re lucky enough to find one in top condition, it could bring in well over $100,000. Even worn examples are valuable, making it a true collector’s gem.
Overdate
World War II was a hectic time, even at the U.S. Mint. In 1942, a curious error happened when some dimes were struck using dies originally engraved with a 1941 date, then re-engraved to 1942. This left a visible “1” under the “2” in the date.
Known as the 1942/1 Mercury Dime, this overdate error can fetch tens of thousands of dollars, especially in high grades.
1975 No S Proof
Leaping forward to 1975, we find one of the rarest modern U.S. coins — the 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime. Meant for proof sets struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin was missing the expected “S” mint mark.
Only two are known to exist, and one sold for $456,000 in 2019. It remains one of the rarest finds in modern American coinage.
No S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Another modern rarity is the 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime. Similar to the 1975 version, these proof dimes were mistakenly struck without the “S” mint mark. Though not as rare as the 1975 dime, they’re still scarce and valuable.
In top condition, they can bring in tens of thousands of dollars, making them a sought-after piece for collectors chasing mint mark errors.
Drummer
Now let’s shift to quarters, starting with the famous 1976 Bicentennial Quarter. Most of these, featuring the colonial drummer design by Jack L. Ahr, aren’t worth more than face value. But rare variations and high-grade proofs tell a different story.
These coins commemorated America’s 200th birthday and remain a nostalgic favorite for many collectors.
Silver
The San Francisco Mint produced special 40% silver proof versions of the Bicentennial Quarter. These have a brilliant, shiny finish and are part of collector proof sets.
While not as scarce as the rare dimes mentioned, high-grade examples can fetch several hundred dollars, especially if still sealed in their original cases.
Planchet
One of the rarest and most valuable Bicentennial Quarter errors is the quarter struck on a dime planchet. This mint error results in a smaller, thinner coin with the quarter design.
If one of these mistakes makes it to market, it can easily sell for thousands of dollars, depending on its condition.
Doubled
Another interesting find is the 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter with a doubled die obverse. This error happens when a coin die gets a double impression during its creation, causing noticeable doubling on the date and lettering.
These can fetch hundreds or even thousands in top grades and remain popular with error coin collectors.
Aluminum
Rounding out our list is a coin that officially shouldn’t exist — the 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter. As copper prices climbed in the 1970s, the U.S. Mint experimented with alternative metals like aluminum.
Though patterns were struck, the idea was scrapped. If a genuine aluminum Bicentennial Quarter ever surfaced and could be legally owned, it would be worth millions.
| Coin/Type | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | $2,000,000+ |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | $100,000+ |
| 1942/1 Mercury Dime | $10,000–$50,000+ |
| 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime | $450,000+ |
| 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime | $10,000–$30,000+ |
| 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter | $100–$500 |
| 1976 Quarter on Dime Planchet | $5,000–$15,000+ |
| 1976-D Doubled Die Obverse Quarter | $300–$3,000+ |
| 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter | $2,000,000+ (if found) |
These rare dimes and quarters are more than just old pocket change. They’re historical artifacts, minting mistakes, and rare surviving pieces from bygone eras.
Whether it’s a tiny dime worth hundreds of thousands or a lost experimental quarter, these coins continue to fuel the dreams of collectors around the world.
FAQs
What’s the rarest U.S. dime?
The 1894-S Barber Dime with only a few known to exist.
How many 1975 No S Dimes exist?
Only two known examples have been found.
Are Bicentennial quarters valuable?
Most aren’t, but rare errors and proofs can be worth thousands.
What is a doubled die quarter?
A coin struck with a die that has a double image impression.
Does a 1976 aluminum quarter exist?
Officially no, but experimental patterns may be out there.
