Collectors and buyers are still interested in rare coins. Gold and silver coins get most of the attention, but some dimes and quarters, especially some Bicentennial quarters, have become very valuable because they are hard to find, have historical value, or were minted in an unusual way. Some of these coins are now worth tens of millions of dollars, which means they could change your life. Let’s look at 8 unique dimes and quarters that are thought to be worth a total of $75 million.
1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter (No Mint Mark, Double Die)—Worth Over $20 Million
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, which was made to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States, has the famous Drummer Boy image on it. But an extremely uncommon type that doesn’t have a mint mark and has a doubled die on the front has gotten ridiculously expensive.
These coins were struck on proof planchets by mistake and then put into circulation. Fewer than 10 are thought to be out there. A brand-new one was sold at auction for more than $20 million one time. If you find a quarter from 1976, pay close attention to the letters that are doubled in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” You might be holding a prize.
2. 1894-S Barber Dime—Valued at $10 Million
There were only 24 1894-S Barber Dime coins made, and today there are less than 10 known. They are known as one of the rarest U.S. dimes. These were made in San Francisco and are thought to have been given mostly to important people and insiders.
One sold for $2 million in 1990. With the way the market is right now, a piece in perfect shape could fetch up to $10 million. It is impossible to ever own or even see one of these dimes again.
3. 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime—Worth $2 Million+
This dime is valuable because it doesn’t have the “S” mint mark that you usually see on proof coins from San Francisco. There have only been two cases found so far.
Both were added to proof sets by mistake, which makes them very rare. The few known copies are now worth more than $2 million, making it one of the most sought-after mistake coins of our time. Check your 1975 proof set very carefully if you have one.
4. 1968-S No-S Roosevelt Dime—Valued Around $500,000
Another rare mistake coin is the 1968-S Roosevelt Dime. It was made as a proof coin, but it doesn’t have the usual “S” mint mark on it. Compared to the 1975 form, more of these have been found, but they are still very hard to find.
High-quality coins have been sold for up to $500,000 because there are fewer than 20 known real examples. The lack of a mint mark and the high quality of a proof coin make this one stand out in any collection.
5. 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Proof Quarter—Valued at $750,000
In 1976, this quarter was made in a special silver-clad proof print as one of only three coins in a set. People really want coins that are in perfect shape and have a deep cameo finish.
A flawless example with the grade PR70DCAM was sold for over $750,000. These quarters are often hidden in old proof sets, so it’s important to look for one that is in great shape.
6. 1942/1 Mercury Dime—Worth Up to $300,000
Due to a die that was poorly repurposed, the 1942/1 Mercury Dime has a visible “1” beneath the “2” in the date. This is a famous example of a minting overdate.
Even low-grade coins sell for a lot of money, and mint-condition coins can fetch up to $300,000. Collectors still know this mistake coin well and want to get their hands on it.
7. 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime—Valued at $75,000+
In 1982, the Philadelphia Mint made a mistake during production that left dimes without the usual “P” mint mark. A few thousand copies were sent out before the mistake was fixed.
If they are in great shape, these coins can still fetch over $75,000, even though they aren’t as rare as some on this list. Someone very lucky has even found them in bankrolls or pocket change.
8. 1916-D Mercury Dime—Valued at $250,000+
There were only 264,000 Mercury dime coins made by the Denver Mint in 1916, the first year of the series. The 1916-D has been an important date in the series for a long time because it was only made in small numbers.
High-grade, never-been-used copies have sold for more than $250,000, while used copies can fetch $1,000 to $5,000. To find this rare coin, look for a small “D” on the back.
FAQs
Q1: How do I identify a rare dime or quarter?
Check the coin’s date, mint mark, and condition. Look for unusual features such as doubled letters or missing mint marks. Use trusted coin guides or seek evaluation from grading services like NGC or PCGS.
Q2: Are circulated Bicentennial Quarters valuable?
Most are worth face value unless they are rare variants, like error coins or proof examples in exceptional condition.
Q3: Can I sell rare coins online?
Yes. Reputable sites like eBay (for graded coins), Heritage Auctions, and Stack’s Bowers are great options. Make sure to verify the buyer and consider having your coin graded before listing.
Q4: Should I clean my coins before selling?
No. Cleaning a coin can harm its surface and reduce its value. Collectors prefer original, unaltered coins—even if they appear dirty.
Conclusion
Coin collecting keeps giving me amazing gifts, most of the time in the form of spare change. Some of these coins are very valuable, like the special Bicentennial quarters and the very rare dimes. The eight coins shown here are worth close to $75 million between them, showing that a small piece of metal could be the key to a huge fortune. You never know what kind of secret wealth you might find when you go through old collections or even just look at your spare change.