The American coinage history is rich and interesting because you will find many old coins with tremendous value. One such coin is the 1920 dime, which is part of the series called Mercury dimes. If you have one of these coins, it is crucial to see how valuable it is.
Table of Contents
There are several ways to determine the value of any old coin, including the 1920 dime. However, this coin is old and heavily circulated. Consequently, many of the dimes are degraded, reducing their worth. Only a few are still in a mint state, but they are not readily available.
However, despite the heavy circulation and consequent degradation, what is the 1920 dime value? We look at various aspects of the coin that affect its value, including the mint marks and grade. These will provide better information to guide you in getting the dime’s true worth.
1920 Dime Value Chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1920 No Mint Mark Dime Value | $1.68 | $2.03 | $4.15 | $52 |
| 1920 ‘D’ Dime Value | $1.68 | $2.40 | $23 | $135 |
| 1920 ‘S’ Dime Value | $1.81 | $3.13 | $21 | $230 |
Silver coins are usually valuable, as is evident with the 1920 dime. Although the face value is only ten cents, a coin that is only in a good condition is worth more than a dollar. The better the coin’s condition, the higher the value collectors place on it.
The dime has a mintage of about 92,021,000 from three mints, which is not a high number. At the same time, it is high enough to indicate how available it is on the market. This may be one of the reasons for the value, although some of the coins are considered more valuable than others.
But while the mintage is key to determining the dime’s value, you must also consider the buyer. Some buyers are willing to pay higher than others for specific reasons. Sometimes, a buyer may be looking for a particular dime type to complete a series or collection.
Finding that rare coin means more to them than the cost. In other words, they are usually willing to pay well for the coin.
From 1916 to 1945, the United States Mint struck the Mercury dimes, a series into which the 1920 dime falls. The dimes began their journey as a replacement for the Barber coins, which the Chief Engraver Charles Barber designed in 1892.
The Barber coins, which included a dime, quarter, and half dollar, were not very well accepted by the public. Simply put, it did not like the design. This led to several unsuccessful attempts to redesign the coins.
So, when the coins were near the end of their 25-year minimum term of circulation in 1915, the Treasury asked the mint to conduct a competition to get a different and unique design to replace the old coins. Different artists, including Charles Barber, sent in their designs as part of the competition.
However, designs for the half dollar, the reverse of the quarter, and the dime from Adolph A. Weinman came out the best and won the competition. The obverse of the dime showed Lady Liberty with a cap and the reverse showed a bunch of arrows and an axe tied together.
By the first quarter of 1916, the Treasury commissioned the designs and production began. But there was a bit of confusion about the obverse design on the dime. The Phrygian cap caused people to think the image was of the Roman god Mercury. As a result, the dimes got the name Mercury dimes.
In reality, the name is the Winged Liberty Head, the winged cap representing the freedom of thought. Many believed that the image of Liberty was inspired by Elsie Stevens, the wife of poet and lawyer Wallace Steves, although Weinman never said anything to indicate this.
The public liked the simple yet beautiful design. But the Mint had to make several changes to make the coin usable in vending machines. And by 1945, the Treasury began calling for new designs for the popular dime. There is a gold version minted in 2016 to commemorate the dime’s centenary.
Effect of Coin Condition on Value
We mentioned that several factors inform the value of any old coin, including the 1920 dime. So, to get the correct value for your coin, you must know the conditions under which it can be. The value chart shows four categories, from good to uncirculated.
A good condition refers to when a coin is degraded and at its lowest level. It means the coin looks worn, with no shine or distinguishable facial features for the images. A coin in this condition can still fetch a little above a dollar.
A little above this condition is the fine condition. In this condition, the coin looks better than a coin in good condition, which means it can fetch a little more money than the other coin. But sometimes, owners cannot tell the difference unless correctly graded or with a rare marker.
Where the money usually is in coins in extremely fine or uncirculated conditions. Such a coin will look finer with distinguishable features and shine. Uncirculated coins are usually the best, although they are not readily available.
1920 No Mint Mark Dime Value
If you have a 1920 dime without a mint mark, it means the coin was minted in the Philadelphia branch of the United States Mint. The branch struck 59,030,000 dimes in 1920, which is a considerably high number, but not too much as to make it completely valueless.
From the chart, the Philly coins have some value, although it is the lowest one. But in a high-grade mint state, the dime without a mint mark may be worth more than a thousand dollars. A price guide valued one such coin at $1,300.
The dime is a shiny color because of its silver content. In mint states, the luster is high and the coin looks almost white. The obverse bears the face of Liberty facing left with the legend LIBERTY struck around the top of the coin. It is spread so that it covers the entire top part of the obverse, right around Liberty’s head.
In front of her neck is the country’s motto IN GOD WE TRUST. It sits tightly between her neck and the coin’s rim. Behind Liberty’s neck, close to the base, is the designer’s initials AW, and under the neck, the mint date 1920 fits tightly, almost disappearing into the rim.
On the reverse, you will find a fasces, which is a bundle of sticks or rods with an axe, all tied together with a strip. The axe head protrudes and faces left with branches bracketing the fasces. It is the Latin name for what the ancient Romans used as a symbol of power and authority.
Letterings circle the fasces, but the Latin words E PLURIBUS UNUM appear just beside the fasces and under one of the branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination ONE DIME circle everything else.
Both sides of the coin have a few varying versions. For the obverse, some strikes appear weak, dulling the effect of the designs. This issue may be more obvious on coins with clear luster. For the reverse, some coins have no bands, while others have split bands.
1920 ‘D’ Dime Value
The 1920-D coins have a better value than the Philadelphia coins because of their mintage and mint mark. The mint mark indicates that these coins were minted in the Denver branch of the United States Mint. With a mintage of 19,171,000 dimes, Denver struck a significantly lower number of dimes in 1920
D-coins have noticeably weak strikes because of the cracked or damaged dies used during minting. Also, all D coins went into circulation upon production, which means there are hardly any gem-state 1920-D dimes available. These reasons may account for the small difference in price between Denver and Philly dimes, despite the difference in mintage.
You can get a D dime for about $3 in a circulated condition. Better-looking coins may be worth about $18. If you manage to find an uncirculated dime or one still in a mint state, you may get up to $3,000 for it.
1920 ‘S’ Dime Value
Dimes with an S mint mark were struck in San Francisco, which is one of the branches of the United States Mint. it has a mintage of about 13,820,000 dimes, which is a lower number than that of Denver. The evidence is in the value of S dimes from the value chart.
Many 1920-S dimes have a weak strike, and they were stored in the Mint vaults for some time. The reason behind the weak strikes was cracked or damaged dies worn out due to age. This also means some key details are missing in most of the coins.
Therefore, S dimes with full bands and dates appearing in clear details are rare, resulting in significantly higher values. In circulated conditions, this dime can fetch about $3. In extremely fine conditions, you may get $50 or it.
Since S dimes in gem state or uncirculated conditions are rare, their values are high. If you have a coin in that condition, you may get as much as $2,000. In the best condition, with full bands, and a gold-lilac tone, which is extremely rare, an S dime is valued at about $72,000.
The mint mark on D and S dimes is on the reverse. It is in front of the E in ONE for the denomination. While small, it is easy to find it if you know the location. Note that there were no Proof dimes struck in 1920.
1920 Dime Grading
Professional graders follow strict guidelines to grade all coins. With the Sheldon scale, they can determine the exact grade of old coins, which are typically difficult to grade because of degradation and wear unless they are in mint state.
Even in mint states, coins must be further divided into different levels when properly graded. The same applies to all coin conditions. The scale grades old coins from 1 to 70, with 70 being the highest level, although there are hardly any coins with this grading.
In the video below, you will learn how to grade Mercury dimes using coins from different years.
Rare 1920 Dime Errors List
Several errors occur with a 1920 dime, and we discuss some of them below.
1920 Dime Clipped Planchet Error
An error where a small part of the coin planchet is clipped off or chipped can occur during striking. While it is not common, this error can boost the value of a coin if you have one like it. Depending on the size clipped off, it may affect the design. But you must ensure the clipped part is a mint error and not damaged from circulation. Only a grader like PCGS can correctly determine the origin of the error and place a value on it.
1920 Dime Off-Center Strike Error
This error occurs when the die strikes off the center of the coin planchet. The percentage of the off-center strike can vary between 5% and 95%, and the bigger the percentage is, the more likely the coin is to get a high value.
The money usually climbs for dimes with 50% or more off-center strikes. But a dime with a 20% off-center strike once sold for about $1,800.
1920 Dime Broad Struck Error
If a coin has a broad struck error, it means the planchet and striking press do not align. And when this happens, the design exceeds the retaining collar, which is a metal ring that keeps the dime within the correct diameter.
If the collar is misaligned to accommodate this error, the dime has a bigger diameter and a thinner feel. However, dimes with this error attract great prices, especially if they are in a mint state.
1920 Dime FAQs
What were dimes made of in 1920?
1920 dimes were made of silver and copper. They contain a metal composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. With a silver pureness of .999, the coin’s melt value is high and value. That is why the dime value can fluctuate with the precious metals market.
How much is a 1920 dime worth today?
A 1920 dime is worth about $1.80 in a circulated condition, but this value depends on the mint mark and exact grade. Some can have a higher price, especially with an S mint mark, while others may not be so valuable.
FAQs
1920 Dime Value: How Much is it Worth Today? ›
The 1920 dime value is $1.73 for a coin that is circulated and shows considerable wear. These old Mercury dimes are widely collected however and there is potential of higher value. Your coin is worth a premium if determined it is in better than average condition.
What are 1920 Mercury dimes worth? ›According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Mercury Dime from 1920 in circulated condition is worth between $3 and $115. However, on the open market 1920 D Dimes in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $3250.
What year is the $2000000 dime? ›This specific dime is known as the 1894-S Barber Dime. Rumor has it that the superintendent of the San Francisco Mint, John Daggett, had 24 of these dimes minted in 1894. Daggett gave three of them to his young daughter, telling her to save the coins until she was older.
What dime is worth over $1000000? ›Did you know that there are some dimes still out there that could be worth up to $1.9 million? A specific dime minted in 1894, known as the 1894-S Barber Dime, is actually worth millions. The story behind the Barber Dime is fascinating.
How can you tell if a dime is rare? ›All coins bearing the “CC” mintmark are considered scarce by collectors today. Tthe Carson City Seated Liberty dimes struck from 1871 through 1874 are exceedingly rare. All are at least four-figure coins in the grade of Good-4.
What year is the rarest dime? ›1894-S Barber Dime - $1,997,500
One of the rarest US coins in existence according PCGS Coin Trackers, the 1894-S Barber dime has only nine known examples today. A proof copy of a coin they didn't end up minting that year, there were originally 24 struck. One sold for $1,997,500 in January of 2016.
Mercury Dime Value is Conditional
If the olive branch has significant wear and tear or discoloration, the coin is likely only in good condition. If any wear on the olive branch is minimal and there is little to no discoloration, the coin may potentially be assigned a grade of fine.
The 1894-S Barber dime is a dime produced in the United States Barber coinage. It is one of the rarest and most highly prized United States coins for collectors, along with the 1804 dollar and the 1913 Liberty Head nickel.
What dime is worth thousands of dollars? ›Because of this error, this particular 1982 “No P” dime is considered rare and could be worth up to $2,000 (or even more). PCGS listed evidence of most MS66 graded examples selling at around $300, and a 2022 sale of a NGC-graded (Numismatic Guaranty Company) MS67 for a princely sum of $630.
Is a 1974 penny worth $2 million? ›Is a 1974 penny worth $2 million? Yes! A rare 1974 aluminum penny can be worth $2 million. Currently, the 1974 D Mint Mark Aluminum penny is valued at $250,000.
What is the rarest dime in the world? ›
1871 CC MS 65 Liberty seated dime
The Carson City mint produced only 20,100 Liberty seated dimes in 1871, making it one of the rarest pieces on the coin market nowadays.
The Roosevelt dimes minted before the Coin Act have premium silver content and can be worth much more than their face value. They are characterized by the image of President Roosevelt, as their name implies. They are pretty common; hence the only valuable ones from that period are those that are worn.
What makes a 1964 dime rare? ›The silver in the alloy of the 1964 dime is where the value is, and that's why collectors are particular about the condition of the coin before buying. If a 1964 dime is in extremely fine condition, it will be valued at about $3.
Are dimes worth keeping? ›They are worth a premium for their precious metal content. Most Roosevelt dimes from the 1946–1964 period are very common. Thus they are worth only their precious metal value if worn. In general, well-circulated Roosevelt dimes made before 1965 are worth between $1.25 and $2.
What rare dime is worth $2000? ›Should no letter be present, you may be in luck. Because of this error, this particular 1982 “No P” dime is considered rare and could be worth up to $2,000 (or even more).
What is the hardest dime to find? ›1968 Roosevelt Dime with missing mint mark “S” is the rarest dime of all the Roosevelt ten-cent coins. It is considered most rare as the mintage figure was low. Out of all the “No-S” Roosevelt Dimes in the proof condition, it is rare and is worth up to $50,000.
What Penny is worth millions? ›1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny — $2.3 million
Brenner, this is one of the highest-value pennies in circulation today. Made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc alloy, it sold for $1.7 million in 2010 but is valued at $2.3 million in uncirculated mint condition.
The only variety of a dime from 1965 was the one without a mint mark produced in the Philadelphia mint. It is a coin made of an alloy of copper and nickel, with the latter composing only around 8% of the total weight. The coin is silver in appearance and weighs just over two grams.
What is the oldest dime? ›The Mint made the first dimes in 1796. They were small silver coins. The designs from 1796 to 1837 showed Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.
What year is the best Mercury Dime? ›The rarest full band Mercury Dimes are the 1918-D, 1919-D, 1919-S, 1942/41, 1942/41-D and 1945 is- sues. The 1918-S, 1920-D, 1926-S, and 1927-D are also quite scarce. proof Mercury Dimes can be acquired in choice to gem condition for surprising- ly inexpensive prices.
How do you tell if a dime is pure silver? ›
The best way to determine if your coins are silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe, then you can feel confident that it's silver. If you can see a copper stripe, then the coin is clad. A more subdued silver stripe with faint traces of copper could mean that the coin is 40% silver.
What penny is worth the most? ›- 1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000.
- 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000.
- 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000.
- 4) 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
- 5) 1858 Flying Eagle Penny - $10,000.
- 6) 1857 Flying Eagle Penny - $7,000.
- 7) 1914 D Wheat Penny - $5,500.
1940 Dime Value for “D” Mint Mark
Because they're relatively scarcer than the Philadelphia-minted dimes of that year, the 1940 D dimes are more valuable across all grades today. Circulated coins can go anywhere between $2.50 (poor or average condition) to $5 (AU58).
Police on the scene say an estimated one million dimes, worth $100,000, were stolen.
What quarter years are worth money? ›| Mint Year | Price Value |
|---|---|
| 2001-P Kentucky MS 69 | $2,585 |
| 2005-P California MS 69 | $2,950 |
| 2004-D MS 66 extra leaf high Wisconsin | $2,530 |
| 2008-D New Mexico MS 62 | $2,500 |
$1000 is 10,000 dimes. Divide by 10 and we have 1000 ounces. 1000/16 = 62.5 pounds.
What makes a 1967 dime worth money? ›The 1967-P Roosevelt Dime was made by the United States Mint. This coin is made out of a clad material, meaning that the outer layer is a mixture of copper and nickel, while the inside core is solid copper. These coins, baring a special circumstance, will be worth face value.
What penny is worth $300000? ›The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is considered to be the most famous error coin made by the U.S. Mint and could be worth more than $300,000.
Why is a 1964 D penny worth so much? ›A 1964 D penny is considered rare for a few reasons. First, only about 1% of all pennies minted in 1964 were of the D-mint variety. Second, the Denver Mint, where the D pennies were made, had a higher-than-average number of coins rejected due to quality control issues.
Are there any pennies worth $1000000? ›The most famous 1943 Copper Wheat Penny is probably the one that was mistakenly made from solid copper instead of steel-coated zinc. Only a few error coins exist, making them extremely valuable to collectors. One sold at auction in 2010 for over $1 million!
Which dime has the most silver? ›
If you want to buy Silver in the form of 90% Silver, look for Mercury or Roosevelt dimes minted in 1964 or earlier. These coins were struck in a 90% Silver alloy and boast a melt value of nearly $1.25.
Are old dimes worth money? ›The majority of dimes minted after 1964 are worth only their face value. However, there is an exception to some of them, such as error coins, which could fetch a lot. Such scarcer coins include the 1949, 1949-D, and 1949-S worth $5 and up. Well-circulated Roosevelt before 1965 could bring between $1.25 and $2.
How rare is a 1943 dime? ›The 1943 Philadelphia Mercury dimes are highly common coins across most of the grading spectrum from low-end circulated grades through at least MS66, with higher-grading pieces scarce but not exceptionally rare save for MS68 specimens.
Are any half dollars worth money? ›Most Walking Liberty half dollars are common date coins, but a handful of these coins can be quite valuable, especially in high-end or certified condition. Some of the most popular and sought after dates for the Walking Liberty Halves are from 1916, 1919 and 1921.
What are the key dates for dimes? ›- Draped Bust Dime (1796-1807)
- Capped Bust Dime (1809 – 1837)
- Seated Liberty Dime (1837-1891)
- Barber Dime (1892-1916)
- Mercury Dime (1916-1945)
- Roosevelt Dime (1946-1964)
- Conclusion.
Junk silver coins are typically referred to as 90% silver dimes, quarters and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier, but technically they can refer to any government issued silver coins for general circulation that are primarily bought and sold for their silver content.
What year dimes are real silver? ›Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are typically bought and sold as 90% bullion. Half dollars dated 1965 through 1970 are typically considered 40% silver bullion. The values of these coins will change depending on the silver market fluctuations.
What year dimes have the most silver? ›All American dimes, quarters, and half dollars that were minted in 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver. However, the United States began to face a silver shortage in the 1960s. As a result, people started hoarding their silver coins, creating a shortage of coins as well as silver.
Which dimes are silver? ›Which Dimes Are Silver? If your dime bears an image of Lady Liberty, it's almost certainly made of silver. This includes both Seated Liberty (minted 1837–1891) and Barber dimes (minted 1892–1916). It's highly unlikely you will find one of these old dimes in your pocket change, however.
How much is a 1975 dime worth? ›1975 Roosevelt Dime Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Roosevelt Dime from 1975 in circulated condition is worth between $0.15 and $0.35. However, on the open market 1975 Dimes in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $180.
How much is 2 million dimes? ›
Approximately 2m dimes, or the equivalent of $200,000, were taken from a tractor trailer in a parking lot of the Philadelphia Mills shopping mall complex in north-east Philadelphia on Thursday morning.
Is a 1982 dime worth anything? ›1982 D Roosevelt Dime Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Roosevelt Dime from 1982 in circulated condition is worth between $0.15 and $0.35. However, on the open market 1982 D Dimes in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $35.
It is primarily the result of oxygen and/or sulfur reacting with the coin's metal. However, the toning process can be accelerated by heat, moisture, and various chemicals in the environment. Some of the most harmful chemicals to coins can be found in cheap coin holders and coin folders.
How can you tell if a dime is gold? ›The 'ping' test, as this is commonly known, allows us to tell if a coin is made from real or fake gold by listening to the sound it makes when struck. Precious metals will make a long, high-pitched ringing sound when struck as opposed to base metals, whose respective sounds will be duller and much shorter.
What dime looks copper? ›Widely known as copper dimes, these coins are Roosevelt dimes with a copper core. They're clad in a nickel coating. When errors occur in minting these coins, the clad nickel coating is either partially or fully missing or the copper core is partially or fully exposed.
How much is a 1920 Mercury Dime worth with no mint mark? ›The 1920 dime with no mint mark is worth around $3.50 in good condition. In very fine condition the value is around $5.50. In extremely fine condition the value is around $8.50. In uncirculated condition the price is around $40 for coins with an MS 60 grade.
Why is there no 1922 Mercury Dime? ›The dime was struck in substantial numbers until 1930, with the notable exception of the 1916-D issue and from 1921 to 1923, when an economic downturn caused the need for coins to diminish. No dimes were struck for 1922, the first time since 1826 that this had occurred.
How can you tell if a Mercury Dime is silver? ›The best way to determine if your coins are silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe, then you can feel confident that it's silver. If you can see a copper stripe, then the coin is clad. A more subdued silver stripe with faint traces of copper could mean that the coin is 40% silver.
Are older dimes worth more? ›Generally, US dimes made after 1964 are not worth much more than face value. However, those made before then are valued at higher prices than their face value. What's the story? Well, the earlier coins were predominantly made of silver up until the 1965 Coinage Act.
What is the error on the 1920 dime? ›1920 Dime Broad struck Error
A broad struck error in 1920 dime occurs when the coin does not align properly with the striking press.
How old does a dime have to be to be rare? ›
All U.S. dimes made before 1965 are 90% silver, so they command prices many times their face value. Most dimes produced after 1964 are worth only face value. There are exceptions, however, such as error coins.
What rare dime has no mint mark? ›The only variety of a dime from 1965 was the one without a mint mark produced in the Philadelphia mint. It is a coin made of an alloy of copper and nickel, with the latter composing only around 8% of the total weight. The coin is silver in appearance and weighs just over two grams.
What Mercury dime is rare? ›The rarest full band Mercury Dimes are the 1918-D, 1919-D, 1919-S, 1942/41, 1942/41-D and 1945 is- sues. The 1918-S, 1920-D, 1926-S, and 1927-D are also quite scarce. proof Mercury Dimes can be acquired in choice to gem condition for surprising- ly inexpensive prices.
What makes a 1975 dime rare? ›However, there are two 1975 dimes without Mint marks that are rare and are valuable, but these are found in Proof sets. In 1975, the San Francisco Mint struck a small number of Proof Roosevelt dimes without that facility's S Mint mark. Those are the rare ones.
What was the last year dimes were pure silver? ›Market Analysis. The United States Mint currently makes Roosevelt dimes for circulation. However, a copper-nickel alloy is currently used to make these dimes. In 1964, the mint made the last dimes containing 90% silver.