In the fascinating world of coin collecting, some dimes and quarters are worth way more than their face value. These little metal disks aren’t just spare change—they’re miniature treasures with jaw-dropping stories and staggering price tags. From 19th-century rarities to modern mint errors, we’re looking into ten of the rarest dimes and bicentennial quarters in circulation or collection today.
These coins together could be worth a mind-blowing $75 million.
Barber
Let’s start with the 1894-S Barber Dime—the holy grail of dimes. Only 24 were ever minted in San Francisco, and just a handful have survived.
One popular tale says the Mint Superintendent gave a few away to banker friends and even to his daughter, who reportedly spent one on ice cream. If only she knew! Today, one of these in good condition can fetch over $2 million at auction.
Mercury
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is another top-tier rarity. This coin marked the first year of the Mercury dime series, and only 264,000 were minted in Denver.
Collectors love this coin not just for its rarity but also for its classic design. In top condition, it’s easily worth over $100,000—and even low-grade examples are highly collectible.
Overdate
Then there’s the 1942/1 Mercury Dime—born from a wartime minting mistake. Dies originally dated 1941 were re-engraved for 1942, but the earlier date is still visible underneath.
This overdate error is especially valuable in higher grades. Some mint-state examples have sold for upwards of $30,000, depending on condition and clarity of the error.
1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Jumping ahead, we find the 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime. Only two of these are known to exist—yes, just two.
These proof coins were struck without the San Francisco “S” mint mark, making them one of the rarest modern U.S. coins ever. One sold in 2019 for $456,000. If the other hits the market, it could go even higher.
1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime
Before the 1975 version, there was the 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime. Like its successor, it was released in proof sets without the expected mint mark.
More of these exist than the 1975 version, but they’re still extremely rare. In top condition, these can reach five-figure prices, often bringing in $20,000 or more.
Quarter
Switching over to quarters, let’s talk about the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter. Most of these are common, but certain versions are anything but ordinary.
The design features a colonial drummer boy to celebrate America’s 200th birthday, and while common in circulation, a few rare variants are worth serious money.
Silver
One of those is the 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter. Struck in 40% silver with a mirror-like finish, these proof coins were sold as collector sets.
While not ultra-rare, pristine examples can still sell for several hundred dollars—and they’re gaining value as more collectors seek top-grade coins.
Planchet
Here’s a weird one: the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter struck on a dime planchet. It sounds like a minting joke, but it’s real—and extremely rare.
Because a smaller dime-sized blank was used, the design doesn’t fit correctly. This type of error can sell for thousands when found and authenticated.
Doubled
Another oddity is the 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter with a doubled die obverse. This error makes the date and lettering appear duplicated—easy to miss unless you’re looking closely.
While not as valuable as others, coins in high mint state can be worth hundreds to a few thousand dollars.
Aluminum
Last but not least is the elusive 1976 Aluminum Bicentennial Quarter. Officially, it was never released. The U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum planchets, but scrapped the idea.
If one ever surfaces—and it’s legal to own—it could easily fetch millions due to its rarity and backstory.
| Coin | Type | Rarity | Est. Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime | Dime | 24 minted | $2M+ |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | Dime | 264k minted | $100k+ |
| 1942/1 Overdate | Dime | Wartime error | $30k+ |
| 1975 No S Proof | Dime | 2 known | $456k+ |
| 1968 No S Proof | Dime | Few exist | $20k+ |
| 1976 Silver Proof | Quarter | Collector version | $300+ |
| 1976 on Dime Planchet | Quarter | Mint error | $5k–$15k |
| 1976-D Doubled Die | Quarter | Error | $500–$3k |
| 1976 Aluminum | Quarter | Prototype | $2M–$5M? |
Rare dimes and quarters are more than spare change—they’re miniature marvels of history, design, and mystery. Whether born from minting errors or historical oddities, these ten coins show how even the smallest denominations can carry massive value.
FAQs
How many 1894-S Barber Dimes exist?
Only around 9 known examples are still in existence.
Why is the 1975 No S Dime valuable?
Only two exist, making it ultra-rare.
What is a 1942/1 overdate error?
It’s a 1942 dime with 1941 still visible.
Are 1976 quarters valuable?
Some rare errors and silver versions are valuable.
What is the aluminum bicentennial quarter?
A prototype never released—worth millions if real.
