In the exciting world of coin collecting, some coins go far beyond pocket change — they’re rare treasures that can fetch millions. Whether it’s a minting error or a coin with a fascinating backstory, these pieces have become the holy grail for collectors.
Today, we’re investigating 10 of the rarest dimes and bicentennial quarters that, together, could be worth a staggering $75 million. Ready to dive into the treasure hunt?
Barber
Let’s start with the crown jewel of U.S. dimes — the 1894-S Barber Dime. Only 24 of these were minted in San Francisco, and today, just a handful survive. Legend says the Mint Superintendent had these made for banker friends and even gave one to his daughter — who reportedly spent it on ice cream.
If you find one in decent condition today, it could earn you over 2 million dollars at auction.
Mercury
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is another superstar. It was the first year of the Mercury dime series and only 264,000 were minted in Denver. That number might sound large, but in the coin world, it’s tiny.
High-grade versions of this dime easily exceed 100,000 dollars, making it a must-have for serious collectors.
Overdate
World War II brought chaos even to coin production. Enter the 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate. Due to a minting error, some 1942 dimes were struck with leftover 1941 dies, creating a visible overlap — a “1” hiding under the “2.” These coins are strikingly obvious if you know where to look, and collectors are willing to pay tens of thousands for them in pristine condition.
1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Fast forward to modern times, and we get the 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime. Proof coins from San Francisco usually have an “S” mint mark, but a few 1975 proof dimes mysteriously don’t.
Only two known examples exist, making this dime one of the rarest of the modern era. One sold in 2019 for a jaw-dropping 456,000 dollars.
1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Another error coin, the 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime, also skipped the mint mark. While there are more of these than the 1975 version, they’re still considered rare.
If you’ve got one in top condition, it could bring in tens of thousands — not bad for something the size of a thumbnail.
1976 Bicentennial Quarter
Let’s switch to the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, minted to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. Most people remember the drummer boy design, but did you know there are versions of this coin that are worth big money? While the regular ones are still face value, the rare types are another story.
Silver
San Francisco also made a 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter using 40% silver. These coins were struck with extra care and shine like new mirrors. While they aren’t ultra-rare, perfect examples can still bring in several hundred dollars.
Planchet
One of the wildest mint errors out there is the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter struck on a dime planchet. That means a quarter design was accidentally stamped on a smaller, thinner dime blank. This type of mint mistake is highly sought after, and when found, can sell for thousands.
Doubled
Here’s another quirky error: the 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter with a doubled die obverse. If you look closely at the date or lettering, you’ll see slight doubling — a sign of a die receiving two impressions during creation.
While not worth millions, these coins in great shape can easily hit the hundreds or low thousands.
Aluminum
Finally, we have the 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter, a coin that technically doesn’t exist. The U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum due to rising copper costs but scrapped the idea before official release.
If one ever appeared and was legally allowed to be owned, it could fetch millions due to its rarity and backstory.
Here’s a quick look at some of the top values:
| Coin | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | $2 million+ |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | $100,000+ |
| 1942/1 Overdate Dime | $20,000–$80,000 |
| 1975 No S Roosevelt Dime | $456,000 |
| 1968 No S Roosevelt Dime | $10,000+ |
| 1976 Silver Proof Quarter | $100–$500 |
| Quarter on Dime Planchet | $5,000+ |
| Doubled Die Bicentennial Quarter | $500–$2,000 |
| 1976 Aluminum Quarter | Priceless (millions) |
So whether it’s a tiny dime or a shiny quarter, keep an eye on your change — you might just be holding a fortune in your hand.
The next time someone says coins are just “small change,” you’ll know better. Who knew pocket money could pay for a mansion?
FAQs
What is the rarest dime ever?
The 1894-S Barber Dime is considered the rarest.
How much is a 1975 No S dime worth?
It sold for up to $456,000 at auction.
Are all 1976 quarters valuable?
No, only rare errors and silver proofs are valuable.
What is a doubled die quarter?
It has a noticeable doubling on the design.
Can you legally own a 1976 aluminum quarter?
No, they were never officially released.
