1973 Roosevelt Dime Value Guide: No Mint Mark Worth Money?

The 1973 Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $0.10 in worn condition to over $600 in exceptional mint state grades. While most of these coins in your pocket change are only worth their face value, certain high-quality specimens and rare errors can fetch a significant premium from collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 – $0.25
Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63)	$1.00 – $5.00
Choice Mint State (MS65+)	$15.00 – $85.00
Superb Gem (MS67 Full Bands)	$350.00 – $600.00+

Identifying Your 1973 Dime No Mint Mark

If you have a 1973 dime and you don’t see a small letter near the date, don’t panic—it doesn’t mean your coin is a factory error. In 1973, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 315 million dimes, and at that time, the Philadelphia facility did not use a “P” mint mark on their coins. To accurately identify what you have, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common Philly strike and a rare variety.

The 1973 Roosevelt Dime features the profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse, a design that has remained largely unchanged since 1946. These coins are made of a copper-nickel clad composition, not silver. If you find one that looks exceptionally shiny or has a different edge color, you might want to use CoinKnow to double-check its weight and authenticity.

Most of these coins were released into general circulation. Because millions were made, a standard 1973 dime with no mint mark that shows signs of scratches or wear is generally only worth ten cents. However, for those who enjoy “roll hunting” or looking through old jars of change, the hunt for a “Gem” condition coin is where the real profit lies.

Condition and Grade: Why Quality Matters

In the world of coin collecting, the “grade” is everything. For the 1973 dime, the difference between a coin worth ten cents and one worth fifty dollars comes down to microscopic details. Professionals use a scale from 1 to 70. Most coins in your wallet are “Circulated,” meaning they have lost detail in Roosevelt’s hair or the torch on the reverse.

High-value 1973 dimes are usually “Uncirculated,” meaning they never spent time in a cash register. These coins retain their original mint luster—that frosty sheen that dances when you turn the coin under a light. You can check the current 1973 Roosevelt Dime price data to see how the value jumps significantly once a coin reaches the MS67 grade.

Collectors specifically look for “Full Bands” (FB) on the reverse of the dime. This refers to the horizontal bands on the torch being fully separated and distinct. Finding a 1973 Philadelphia dime with Full Bands is quite difficult, which is why these specific coins command the highest prices at auction.

Grade (Sheldon Scale)	Philly (No Mint Mark)	Denver (D Mint Mark)
MS63 (Typical Unc)	$2.00	$2.00
MS65 (Gem Unc)	$15.00	$12.00
MS67 (Superb Gem)	$110.00	$45.00
MS67 Full Bands	$650.00	$225.00

Are 1973 Dimes Made of Silver?

One of the most common questions from beginners is whether their 1973 dime contains silver. Unfortunately, the U.S. Mint stopped using 90% silver for Roosevelt Dimes after 1964. By 1973, all dimes intended for circulation were made of a “clad” sandwich: an inner core of pure copper and an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

You can easily check this by looking at the edge of the coin. If you see a distinct copper-colored stripe, it is a clad coin. If the edge is solid bright silver, you might have a rare “wrong planchet” error, though these are extremely rare for this year. For more detailed 1973 dime value information, it is always best to compare your coin against known genuine examples.

Even though they lack silver content, 1973 dimes are still a part of American history. They represent an era of high production at the mint and the transition into modern clad coinage. For a collector, the value isn’t in the metal, but in the rarity of finding a “perfect” strike from a year where quality control was sometimes lacking.

Rare 1973 Dime Errors to Look For

While most 1973 dimes are common, minting errors can turn a pocket-change find into a windfall. Errors happen when something goes wrong during the striking process at the Philadelphia or Denver mints. These are highly sought after by specialists and can be identified using tools like CoinKnow.

One notable error is the “Off-Center Strike.” This occurs when the coin blank (planchet) is not properly aligned with the dies. If 10% to 50% of the design is missing, the value can increase to $20-$100. If the date is still visible on an off-center strike, the value goes even higher.

Another rare find is the “Double Die” error. This is caused when the die used to stamp the coin has a doubled image. On a 1973 dime, you would look for doubling in the letters of “LIBERTY” or the date. While there are no major recognized 1973 double dies on the level of the 1955 penny, minor doubling can still attract a small premium from error hunters.

Error Type	Estimated Value
10% Off-Center Strike	$15.00 – $30.00
50% Off-Center (Date Showing)	$75.00 – $150.00
Broadstruck	$10.00 – $25.00
Die Crack (Major)	$5.00 – $20.00

The 1973-S Proof Dime and Proof Values

If you find a 1973 dime with an “S” mint mark, you have found a Proof coin. These were minted in San Francisco and were specifically designed for collectors, not for general spending. Proof coins were struck multiple times on polished blanks, giving them a mirror-like finish and incredible detail.

In 1973, the San Francisco mint produced about 2.7 million proof sets. Because these were sold in protective plastic cases, many have survived in perfect condition. A standard 1973-S Proof dime is generally worth about $2.00 to $5.00. However, if the coin has a “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) effect—where the portrait looks frosted white and the background looks like a black mirror—the value can rise.

When assessing your collection, CoinKnow can help you determine if your Proof dime has the “Cameo” designation required for higher prices. While not “rare,” these are beautiful additions to any collection and are a great way for beginners to see what a “perfect” coin looks like compared to the worn ones in circulation.

How to Sell Your 1973 Roosevelt Dime

If you believe you have a high-value 1973 dime, the next step is knowing how to sell it. For coins worth only a few dollars, local coin shops or eBay are your best bets. When listing on eBay, make sure to take clear, high-resolution photos of both the front and back under good lighting.

For coins you suspect are in the MS67 or “Full Bands” category, you should consider professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC. Grading can cost $20-$50 per coin, so only do this if the potential value justifies the cost. A certified 1973 dime is much easier to sell for a high price because the buyer has a guarantee of its authenticity and quality.

Selling to a dealer will likely get you about 50-70% of the retail value, as they need to make a profit. If you want the full market value, selling directly to another collector through online forums or auction sites is the way to go. Always check recent “Sold” listings rather than “Asking” prices to get a realistic idea of what people are actually paying.

FAQ

Q: Is a 1973 dime with no mint mark rare?

A: No, it is very common. The lack of a mint mark simply means it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Over 315 million of these were produced.

Q: How can I tell if my 1973 dime is “Full Bands”?

A: Look at the torch on the back of the coin. There are two sets of horizontal bands (one at the top and one at the bottom). If the lines separating these bands are clear, distinct, and not interrupted by scratches or weak striking, it may qualify as Full Bands.

Q: Why is my 1973 dime worth only 10 cents?

A: Most 1973 dimes have been in circulation for 50 years. They are usually worn, scratched, and made of common metals (copper and nickel), meaning they have no collector premium unless they are in perfect “uncirculated” condition or have a major error.

Q: Does a 1973 dime have any silver in it?

A: No. The last silver dimes for general circulation were made in 1964. The 1973 dime is a “clad” coin made of copper and nickel.