In the world of coin collecting, some dimes and quarters are worth way more than their face value. We’re talking millions. These little metal discs are like winning lottery tickets in disguise—packed with history, rare minting quirks, and mystery.
Let’s take a look at ten rare dimes and bicentennial quarters that could be worth a jaw-dropping $75 million collectively.
Barber
The 1894-S Barber Dime is the undisputed heavyweight champion of U.S. dimes. Only 24 were minted, and fewer than 10 are known to still exist today.
Why it matters:
San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett reportedly made them as gifts, and one was even used by his daughter to buy ice cream. Ouch.
Estimated Value: $2 million or more
Collectors dream of finding this one in an old coin jar. It’s that rare.
Mercury
Next up, the 1916-D Mercury Dime, minted in Denver. It’s the first year of the iconic Mercury dime design—and also the rarest.
Mintage: 264,000
Top Value: Over $100,000 in pristine condition
It’s a classic key date for collectors and a holy grail for Mercury dime enthusiasts.
Overdate
Wartime mistakes can lead to pricey treasures. Enter the 1942/1 Mercury Dime, an overdate error from Philadelphia where a 1941 die was reused for 1942.
Key Feature: Look closely and you’ll see a “1” under the “2”
Top Value: $30,000+ for high-grade versions
It’s one of the most famous errors in U.S. coinage history—and highly collectible.
1975 No S
A modern marvel, the 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime is incredibly rare due to a missing “S” mint mark.
Total Known: Just two
Auction Record: $456,000 in 2019
These dimes were supposed to be struck at the San Francisco Mint, but someone forgot the mint mark. Oops—now it’s a half-million-dollar coin.
1968 No S
Another “No S” error, the 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime, is a bit more common than the 1975 version but still extremely valuable.
Top Condition Price: Tens of thousands of dollars
Mint Error: Missing San Francisco “S” on a proof coin
Collectors love it for its rarity and the proof quality.
Standard 1976
Now let’s talk bicentennial quarters. The 1976 Quarter was created to celebrate America’s 200th birthday with a colonial drummer design.
Worth It? Not unless it’s a special version or error
Face Value: 25 cents
Collector Value: Priceless memories unless it’s silver or an error
Still cool, just not mega-rich cool—unless you find the next ones on this list.
Silver Proof
The 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter was minted in San Francisco with 40% silver and a shiny, mirror-like finish.
Top Value: A few hundred dollars in perfect condition
Why Collect It? It’s silver, patriotic, and proof-quality
Perfect for beginner collectors or people looking to build a complete bicentennial set.
Dime Planchet
Ever heard of a Bicentennial Quarter on a Dime Planchet? This minting error results in a smaller quarter—literally.
Error Type: Quarter design on dime-sized blank
Estimated Value: Thousands of dollars
They’re tiny, off-sized, and super valuable because of their one-in-a-million mistake.
Doubled Die
The 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter with a Doubled Die Obverse shows obvious doubling on the date and inscriptions.
Value Range: Hundreds to a few thousand dollars
How to Spot It: Look for doubling on “1776–1976” and “Liberty”
Not ultra-rare, but definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
Aluminum
Lastly, the unicorn: the 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter. It officially doesn’t exist, but rumors of test pieces have circulated for decades.
Material: Aluminum (experimental)
Estimated Value (if found): Millions
If one ever legally makes it into private hands, it could be the most valuable quarter ever.
These rare dimes and quarters prove that change really can change your life. From six-figure dimes to error quarters worth thousands, every coin tells a story—and some stories are worth millions.
FAQs
How many 1894-S Barber dimes exist?
Less than 10 are known to exist today.
What makes the 1975 No S dime valuable?
It lacks the ‘S’ mint mark and only two are known.
What’s a bicentennial quarter on a dime planchet?
A mint error where a quarter is struck on a dime blank.
Are all 1976 quarters valuable?
No, only errors or silver proof versions are valuable.
What is a doubled die error?
It’s when a coin shows doubled images from a die mistake.
