1976 Dime Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1976 dime is from the Roosevelt dime series, a famous coin category holding great historical significance. In this article, we’ll explore the 1976 Roosevelt dime value, read about its variations, and discuss the possible errors you can find in these dimes. Let’s get right to it!

1976 Dime Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1976 Dime no mint mark	$0.10	$0.12	$0.12	$0.15
1976 S Dime	$0.10	$0.45	$0.75	$0.90
1976 D Dime	$0.10	$0.12	$0.12	$0.15

1976 No Mint Mark Dime Value

While the face value of the 1976 dime is $0.10, coins graded above MS 65 can sell for more than $6. Rare 1976 dimes with particular errors sell for a much higher value. On average, a rare 1976 Roosevelt dime can cost you around $300.

The dime is a mix of copper and nickel. The coin’s core is copper, while the nickel is clad on top of the copper. The coin features a portrait of Frank Roosevelt, the 23rd President of the United States. Conversely, on the other side, A torch is surrounded by oak and olive branches.

The obverse surface of the coin has the portrait of Franklin Roosevelt, the 23rd President of the USA. The Roosevelt coins were commissioned a few months after the President’s death to commemorate his services to the nation. The portrait faces the left and has striking hair and facial details.

Liberty is written on the coin’s left side in block letters. Likewise, In God, We Trust is written below the portrait’s chin, on the coin’s left side. Just below the neck, you’ll see the JS initials of the coin designer. The year the coin was minted is also written below the portrait’s neck. The mint mark is also near the yearly date for coins minted in Denver and San Francisco.

The reverse design symbolizes hope, prosperity, and determination. The flaming torch at the coin’s center represents liberty from oppression, the olive branch depicts peace, whereas the oak branch near the torch shows the nation’s strength and the will to be independent.

At the coin’s top curve, there’s the legend the United States of America wrote. Likewise, the denomination of one dime is struck at the coin’s lower curve. Two stars separate these two phrases. You’ll see the phrase E Pluribus Unum below the coin’s center. Every word on both coin sides is written in block letters.

The Philadelphia mint dimes were produced in massive quantities and didn’t have a mint mark. While the excellent condition pieces only sell for their face value, the higher grades are worth $6 and more.

1976 D Dime Value

Whether you have a coin in excellent condition or a piece in uncirculated condition, it will only sell for a few cents above its face value. Fortunately, MS-65 graded coins are worth $6 or more.

The Roosevelt dime has been continuously minted since 1946, depicting President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the coin’s obverse side. The President died on April 12, 1945, but had already entered the public’s hearts by serving America during the Great Depression and the World War.

The president suffered from Polio and strongly supported the March of the Dimes, which aimed to eradicate this deadly disease. A coin series was soon created in the late President’s name in his honor.

James Hobson Morison, on May 3rd, introduced the bill for the Roosevelt dime. He announced that the Roosevelt dime would replace the already circulating mercury dime or the winged liberty dime.

However, many public figures and politicians at the time felt that although Roosevelt was a patriot, he could not be ranked alongside other Presidents like Jefferson, Washington, or Lincoln. Despite the opposition, the coin was commissioned to start its minting.

Chief engraver John Sinnock was the man behind the coin’s design and was working with the mint since 1925.

Most initial work on the coin was conducted by Sinnock’s assistant, Gilroy Roberts. Sinnock submitted the initial design in October 1945. The design had Roosevelt’s portrait on the obverse side and a hand holding a torch while clutching small branches of oak and olive on the reverse side.

Sinnock also prepared several variations for the coin’s reverse side. The designs were then submitted to Gilmore Clarke who rejected the obverse portrait for being too simple while liking the reverse design variation without the hand. After several corrections, Sinnock submitted the designs again, but the commission rejected the changes and proposed a competition among several artists.

However, some artists rejected it, allowing Sinnock to have another chance at revamping the designs and addressing the concerns. Sinnock then used a smaller font for the Liberty and the year, allowing more space for the President’s head. The redesigned obverse side was also approved later on.

The coin finally started minting in 1945 but faced strong opposition, especially from Republicans. There were also reports that the coins were rejected at vending machines, but coin minting was not stopped. Only minor changes were made to the coin’s design where the President’s hair was changed, and the mint mark from the reverse side was placed on the obverse side.

When Roosevelt’s dimes were commissioned, tensions between the US and the USSR were rising. The artist’s initials, JS, were seen by many as the initials of the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. However, when these rumors reached Congress, a press conference was conducted to debunk these misconceptions.

With the passing of the Coinage Act in 1965, the treasury announced using clad coins with copper as the core, whereas a nickel clad covered the copper surface. This composition change was carried out in an attempt to mitigate coin hoarding. There have been several redesigns of the Roosevelt dime, as the coin is still being minted every year.

1976 S Dime Value

Around 4,149,000 coins were minted in San Francisco and were the least minted coins from a mint that year and carried the S mint mark. However, even in MS 65 grade, this variety only sells for a few dollars. Despite their rarity, these dimes are not considered much value due to their easy availability in the market.

1976 Dime Grading

Whether it’s dimes, quarters, or silver dollars, every coin must be graded to determine its value. While there are several grading systems, the most popular system is the Sheldon scale. We’ve shared a video providing a basic introduction to grading the Roosevelt dime.

However, most videos focus on the coin’s value and particular errors that can increase a coin’s worth. The best approach to grading a coin is by evaluating by yourself whether the coin is valuable or rare and then contacting a professional coin grading service for the results.

Rare 1976 Dime Error Lists

Having a massive mintage, it’s possible for some coins to come up with an error. Depending on the type of error the coin has, its value can increase. Here are some reported errors on the 1976 dime.

1976 Dime Struck on Blank Planchet Error

Due to a faulty die or a missing design, the image fails to imprint on the coin’s surface. These coins don’t have an image on both sides and can only be identified by the coin’s size.

1976 Dime Clipped Planchet Error

The coin in this error misses a section. The missing piece can vary in size anywhere from the coin’s edge.

1976 Dime Missing Clad Error

As we know that the Roosevelt dimes at the time were made with copper and nickel clad. The nickel clad was struck on top of the copper coin base to give the coin a practical outlook.

However, in this error, the nickel clad fails to get imprinted on the copper base, making the coin appear rusty. There are also several coins that have some sections of the coin covered with nickel clad while other sections reveal the copper core.

1976 Dime Off-Center Strike Error

If the die or the planchet gets misaligned, the coin’s striking can produce an off-center image. These off-center strikes deviate from the center by an average of 10 to 15%.

1976 Dime Broadstrike Error

Although the coins have reeded edges, the 1976 dimes with this error have a smooth outer rim. This occurs when the collars holding the coin fail, causing the coin to get stretched. These stretched coins are in diameter and are thinner than the original coins.

1976 Dime FAQs

Do 1976 Dimes have mint marks?

The 1976 dimes minted in the San Francisco and Denver mints had mint marks S and D on the coin’s obverse side. The Philadelphia mint coins didn’t have a P mint mark like others.

Are 1976 Dimes silver?

The 1976 Roosevelt dime has a silvery appearance but it’s not composed of silver. The coin consists of a copper core which is coated with a nickel layer. The shiny nickel gives the coin its silvery appearance.

What dimes are silver?

The dimes minted in 1964 and earlier contain silver. All dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and pennies were minted using silver, but the composition was changed to a mix of copper and nickel. The composition change was carried out because the stacking and hoarding of silver coins became a norm after the war.

Many people started gathering these coins and melting them to extract the precious metal. To stop this coin hoarding, the composition of the coins was changed to a copper and nickel mix.

What dimes should I collect?

While dimes from each year have some associated events, the Roosevelt dimes from 1946 to 1964 are considered the most valuable and highly collectible. The dimes before 1965 were all made with a composition of silver.

However, after the Coinage Act, the composition was changed to prevent coin hoarding. The Roosevelt dimes in these years with particular errors can sell for much more than their face value.

What year Roosevelt dimes are valuable?

The most valuable Roosevelt dime to be sold is the 1975 dime. Although the coin was minted in San Francisco, it doesn’t contain the S mint mark. This error is extremely valuable as only two coins with this error are known to exist. Several other dimes are also present in the market, each with a rare and valuable error that further increases its value.

What’s the easiest way to tell whether a dime is rare?

Besides looking at the coin’s year of production and identifying its value, look for the mint mark on these coins. While most dimes were produced in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Denver, the early dimes minted from 1871 to 1874 are rare finds.

These coins were minted in Carson City and have the mint mark CC engraved. Good condition coins with the CC mint mark easily sell for more than $4000 dollars, whereas higher grade coins sell for a lot more.

What’s the current value of the 1976 D Roosevelt Dime?

According to several reputable coin grading sources, the value of a 1976 D Roosevelt dime in circulating condition ranges from $0.15 to $0.35, whereas, the uncirculated pieces can sell for a few hundred dollars. Higher-grade coins have a higher value and can sell for $500 to $600.