The Definitive Guide to 1973 Dime Value
A flawless 1973-S proof dime sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions — yet most 1973 dimes in your pocket are worth exactly 10 cents. The difference lies in mint mark, condition, and whether the torch on the reverse shows crisp, fully separated bands. This free guide walks you through everything you need to know.
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Check My 1973 Dime Value →1973 Dime Value Chart at a Glance
For a fully illustrated, step-by-step complete 1973 dime identification guide, you can cross-check these values against the latest PCGS and NGC population reports. The table below covers all major variety and condition combinations.
| Variety | Worn (G–AU) | MS63–MS64 | MS65–MS66 | MS67+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 (P) No Mint Mark | $0.10 – $0.35 | $1 – $6 | $7 – $20 | $80+ |
| 1973 (P) Full Bands ★ | — | $7 – $20 | $20 – $60 | $427+ |
| 1973-D Denver | $0.10 – $0.35 | $5 – $6 | $7 – $20 | $70+ |
| 1973-D Full Bands ★ | — | $7 – $12 | $20 – $65 | $400 – $525 |
| 1973-S Proof (clad) | Proof only | PR67: $5 – $7 | PR69 DCAM: $14 – $20 | |
| 1973-S PR70 DCAM ⚠ | — | $650 – $7,050 | ||
★ = Signature variety (Full Bands). ⚠ = Rarest chase coin. Values based on PCGS/NGC data and Heritage auction records.
🪙 CoinKnow makes it easy to verify these estimates on the go — just photograph your coin's reverse and check the Full Bands designation in seconds — a coin identifier and value app.
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The Valuable 1973 Dime Errors (Complete Guide)
Over 773 million 1973 dimes were struck, and a small fraction escaped quality control with minting anomalies that can multiply a coin's value dramatically. The cards below cover the five most collectible error types, from common finds in circulation to spectacular proof errors worth thousands. Use a 10× loupe for most diagnostics.
Off-Center Strike
$10 – $75+An off-center strike results when the planchet is not properly centered in the collar die during the striking process. Instead of a fully formed coin, the finished piece shows a blank arc of planchet on one or more sides, with the design shifted to the opposite edge. The Philadelphia issue is most commonly found with this error due to the sheer volume produced.
To identify this error, look for a visible crescent-shaped blank area with a reeded edge running along one side of the coin, while the opposite side shows a compressed, normal design. The date must still be visible for the coin to reach premium values — dateless examples are worth substantially less to collectors.
Value scales directly with the percentage off-center. A 10–15% shift with the full date visible brings $10–$25. Coins struck 20–30% off-center with a clear date jump to $25–$50. Spectacular examples exceeding 50% off-center — where the date is still discernible — have sold for $75 or more, making this the most frequently encountered premium 1973 dime error.
Missing Clad Layer
$20 – $100+A missing clad layer error occurs when one of the outer cupro-nickel layers fails to bond properly to the copper core during planchet manufacture at the strip mill. The bonding process joins three metal layers under high pressure and heat; when the bond is absent or incomplete, the blank and finished coin retain exposed copper on the affected face.
The diagnostic is immediate and unmistakable: one side of the finished coin displays a distinct orange or copper-red color instead of the typical silvery-white surface. The other face retains its normal clad appearance with full design detail. Hold the coin under natural light — the copper color cannot be confused with toning on a normal dime.
This error arises before the blanks are punched from the strip, meaning every coin from that portion of the defective strip shares the error. Values typically reach $20 for confirmed examples with moderate copper exposure; dramatic specimens where the full copper core is cleanly exposed across a well-struck coin have sold for significantly more depending on eye appeal and coin grade.
Doubled Die (DDO / DDR)
$20 – $100+A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) occurs during die production, when the working die is impressed by the hub more than once at slightly different angles or rotations. Every coin subsequently struck from that die carries the doubled design elements — this is an inherent die characteristic, not a striking anomaly, and it distinguishes true doubled dies from low-value mechanical doubling.
On 1973 dimes, look for notching, shelf-doubling, or spreading on the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," and the date numerals under at least 5× magnification. CONECA and Variety Vista have documented minor doubled die varieties for the 1973 Philadelphia and 1973-S proof issues, though no single dramatic blockbuster variety comparable to the 1955 Lincoln cent has been identified for this date.
Confirmed minor DDO examples can fetch $20–$100 depending on the strength and clarity of the doubling, the grade of the coin, and whether the variety carries a specific CONECA or FS designation. Strong, visually obvious doubling on higher-grade specimens commands the upper end of this range, while subtle hub doubling detectable only with a loupe brings modest premiums.
Clipped Planchet
$5 – $75A clipped planchet error occurs when the punch that cuts a blank from the metal strip overlaps a previously punched hole, removing a portion of the blank's edge. The result is a coin with a crescent-shaped (curved clip) or straight section missing from its circumference. Curved clips are most common and result from overlapping the strip hole; straight clips occur when the punch overlaps the strip's linear edge.
The Blakesley effect provides a secondary diagnostic: on a genuine clipped planchet coin, the design detail directly opposite the clip will be weak or missing because insufficient metal was present for the die to impress fully at that point. This distinguishes authentic clips from post-mint damage where someone has cut or filed the edge.
Value scales with the clip's size and visual impact. Minor clips of 5–15% missing metal bring $5–$15 for typical circulated examples. Larger curved clips with 20–30% of the coin missing jump to $30–$75. The most dramatic examples — where a significant portion of the design is still intact despite substantial missing metal — attract the most collector attention and command premiums at major auction venues.
1973-S Proof Major Errors
$1,980 – $3,840The San Francisco Mint produced proof coins for various foreign governments during this period, and the specialized proof production process created conditions for spectacular compounded errors. Two documented 1973-S proof errors stand at the top of the value hierarchy for this date, combining rarity with extraordinary visual complexity.
The first is a 1973-S proof struck on a Liberia 10-cent planchet — a wrong planchet error where a U.S. Roosevelt dime die struck a blank intended for a Liberian coin. The planchet's different dimensions and composition are immediately apparent upon inspection, and a certified example graded PR-65 achieved $1,980 at auction. The second is a triple-struck coin with previously clashed dies: a planchet struck three times with shifting between each blow, on dies that had already clashed, creating a dramatic overlay of multiple impressions plus clash transfer marks. A PR-68 Ultra Cameo NGC example sold for $3,840.
Both error types are exceptionally rare — single-digit known examples — and appeal to advanced error collectors who prize the combination of high proof quality and dramatic manufacturing anomalies. Authentication by PCGS or NGC is essential, as these errors are highly sought and sometimes misattributed. Any suspected example should be submitted for professional examination before any transaction.
Think you've spotted one of these errors? Run it through the calculator to get an estimated value range right now.
Use the Calculator →1973 Dime Mintage & Survival Data
| Mint | Mint Mark | Type | Mintage | Surviving High-Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | Business Strike | 315,670,000 | Very scarce above MS66; PCGS pop. sparse |
| Denver | D | Business Strike | 455,032,426 | Only 12 at MS67 per PCGS; 75 at MS66 |
| San Francisco | S | Proof (Clad) | 2,760,339 | ~20 at PR70 DCAM (PCGS); none at NGC PR70 |
| Total | 773,462,765 | |||
Composition specs: Copper-nickel clad — outer layers 75% copper, 25% nickel bonded over pure copper core. Weight: 2.27 g. Diameter: 17.9 mm. Edge: Reeded. Designer: John R. Sinnock (JS initials on truncation of Roosevelt's neck). No silver content.
Despite over 770 million business strikes, the overwhelming majority circulated and exist today in worn condition worth only face value. High-grade survivors with the Full Bands designation are genuinely scarce — a paradox driven by the mint's mass-production pressures during 1973 that led to weak strikes across many Philadelphia-issue coins.
How to Grade Your 1973 Dime
Worn (G–F)
Roosevelt's hair above the ear is flat and merged. The torch on the reverse is outlined but band detail is gone. Lettering is readable but may be weak. Value: face value only. These coins have no numismatic premium above 10 cents.
Circulated (VF–AU)
Hair lines above the ear show some separation, with the cheek slightly flattened. Torch bands show partial definition on VF examples; AU coins retain 50–75% of original luster with only high-point friction. Values: $0.35 to around $0.79 for AU examples.
Uncirculated (MS60–MS64)
No wear visible. Original cartwheel luster rotates across surfaces under a tilted light. MS60–63 coins may show bag marks or contact abrasions; MS64 examples are clean with good eye appeal. Watch for weak strike — many 1973-P coins lack sharp torch detail even in MS state.
Gem MS (MS65–MS67+)
Exceptional luster, minimal marks, and above-average strike. The Full Bands designation at this level requires completely uninterrupted horizontal band separation on the torch under 5× magnification. MS67+ gems with FB designation are genuinely rare, with PCGS pop counts in the single to low double digits.
📱 CoinKnow lets you photograph your dime's reverse and instantly compare the torch band definition against certified FB examples — a coin identifier and value app.
1973 Dime Full Bands Self-Checker
The Full Bands (FB) designation is the single most important factor separating a $7 dime from a $400+ dime in the same grade. Use this checker to assess whether your 1973 dime might qualify.
⚠ Common Strike (No FB Premium)
Horizontal bands on the torch are merged, flat, or weakly defined. Under a 10× loupe, the division lines between upper and lower band sets appear incomplete or touch at one or more points. Most 1973-P dimes fall into this category due to production pressures. Value at MS65: approximately $7–$8.
✅ Full Bands / Full Torch (FB/FT)
Both the upper and lower sets of horizontal bands on the torch shaft show complete, unbroken separation across their entire width — no merging, no weakness, no bridging. This requires superior die condition and planchet pressure at the moment of striking. Value at MS65: $20–$60; at MS67+: $400–$525.
Check all that apply to your coin's reverse torch:
Got a Full Bands result? Now get a specific dollar estimate for your coin's grade and mint mark.
Open the Value Calculator →Free 1973 Dime Value Calculator
Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any errors below to get an instant estimated value range.
If you're not yet sure about your coin's condition or mint mark, there's a 1973 Dime Coin Value Checker with photo upload that can help you identify key details from your coin's images before using this calculator.
Describe Your 1973 Dime for a Detailed Assessment
Not sure about the grade or variety? Describe what you see in plain language and get a tailored analysis.
Mention these things if you can
- Mint mark (D, S, or none)
- Whether luster is present
- Torch band separation (full or merged)
- Any doubling on lettering or date
- Edge appearance (clipped? irregular?)
Also helpful
- Color (normal silver-white vs. copper-orange)
- Any obvious blank area on the coin
- Whether it's been cleaned or polished
- Weight if you have a scale (standard: 2.27g)
- Any other unusual features
Where to Sell Your Valuable 1973 Dime
The right venue depends on your coin's grade and designation. Here are the four best options:
🏆 Heritage Auctions
Best for: MS66+ Full Bands, PR70 DCAM proofs, and major error coins worth $100+
Heritage Auctions reaches the broadest audience of serious Roosevelt dime collectors. For top-grade Full Bands examples and rare proof errors, Heritage's numismatic auctions consistently produce the strongest realized prices. Expect a buyer's premium and a lead time of several weeks to months before your coin appears in a sale.
📦 eBay
Best for: MS63–MS66 range, FB-designated mid-grades, common proof examples
eBay is the most liquid market for mid-range 1973 dimes. Browse recently sold prices for 1973 Roosevelt dimes on eBay to calibrate your asking price before listing. PCGS or NGC certified examples sell faster and at higher prices than raw coins. Use the "Sold Listings" filter to find actual transaction prices, not just asking prices.
🏪 Local Coin Shop
Best for: Circulated examples, bulk lots, quick cash
Local dealers offer immediate payment and no shipping risk, but expect wholesale prices — typically 40–60% of retail for circulated examples. For a common 1973 dime worth only face value, a dealer won't pay a premium; bring a full roll or lot to make the trip worthwhile. Dealers are also a reliable resource for pre-screening whether your coin is worth submitting for professional grading.
💬 Reddit (r/Coins4Sale)
Best for: Mid-grade uncirculated examples, collectors seeking specific dates
The r/Coins4Sale and r/CoinSales communities offer direct collector-to-collector sales with no seller fees. Roosevelt dime collectors actively seek Full Bands examples for registry sets and type collections. Posting clear photos under proper lighting (especially of the reverse torch) will attract the most interest. Always confirm payment method and verify buyer reputation before shipping.
💡 Get it graded first — it's worth the cost for quality coins
For any 1973 dime grading MS65 or higher, or carrying a confirmed error, professional grading by PCGS or NGC typically pays for itself many times over. A raw MS66 FB might sell for $25–$40 in a dealer sale; the same coin certified by PCGS as MS66FB has sold for over $180. Current grading fees start around $30–$50 per coin depending on service tier and membership level.
Frequently Asked Questions
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