1978 Roosevelt Dime Value No Mint Mark: Collector Price Guide

The 1978 Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from its $0.10 face value in worn condition to over $1,000 for rare high-grade specimens. While most of these coins found in your pocket change today are only worth ten cents, specific minting errors and exceptional preservation can turn a common Roosevelt dime into a valuable treasure.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 – $0.25
Uncirculated (MS60-MS63)	$1.00 – $5.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS65+)	$15.00 – $150.00
Proof (PR69 Deep Cameo)	$5.00 – $12.00

Understanding the 1978 Dime with No Mint Mark

If you are looking at a 1978 dime and notice there is no small letter next to the date, don’t panic. This is not an error! In the 1970s, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark on its coinage. Therefore, a 1978 Roosevelt dime with no mint mark simply signifies that it was struck in Philadelphia.

During this year, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 660 million dimes for circulation. Because the mintage was so high, most of these coins are extremely common. However, for a beginner collector or someone who just found a shiny coin in a jar, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a regular strike and a potential high-value specimen.

When checking your pocket change, focus on the luster. If the coin looks brand new and has no scratches, it might be worth more than ten cents. Most people use the CoinKnow app to quickly scan their coins and see if they have caught something special before spending it at the grocery store.

Factors Determining 1978 Roosevelt Dime Value

The value of a 1978 dime is primarily driven by its “Grade” or state of preservation. Coins that have been used to buy coffee or snacks for decades are “circulated.” These coins have scratches, smoothed-out details on Roosevelt’s hair, and very little shine. In this condition, they are generally only worth their face value of $0.10.

However, “Uncirculated” coins—those that never made it into public hands—can command a premium. Collectors use the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70, to grade coins. A grade of MS65 (Mint State 65) or higher is where the price starts to climb. If you have an exceptionally clean coin, the 1978 dime price charts for Mint State grades show that MS67 specimens can sell for significantly more than their face value.

Another critical factor is the “Full Bands” (FB) designation. On the reverse of the dime, there is a torch. If the horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the torch are fully separated and distinct, the coin is much rarer and more valuable to serious collectors.

Grade Designation	Approximate Value
MS63 (Typical Uncirculated)	$2.50
MS65 (Gem Uncirculated)	$18.00
MS67 (Superb Gem)	$125.00
MS67 with Full Bands	$650.00+

The 1978-D and 1978-S Dime Variations

While the Philadelphia dimes have no mint mark, the Denver Mint and San Francisco Mint also produced dimes in 1978. The 1978-D dime features a small “D” above the date. Similar to the Philadelphia version, hundreds of millions were made, and they are generally worth face value unless they are in perfect condition.

The 1978-S dime is different. These were “Proof” coins, struck specifically for collectors at the San Francisco Mint. They feature a mirror-like finish and highly detailed strikes. While most 1978-S proofs are common, those with a “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) finish—where the portrait looks frosted and the background looks like a black mirror—are the most desirable.

Comparing these different mintages is easy with the CoinKnow mobile tool, which helps you identify the mint mark location instantly. Knowing whether you have a San Francisco Proof or a Denver business strike is the first step in accurate valuation. Detailed 1978 Roosevelt Dime price information suggests that while millions exist, the market for “perfect” specimens remains strong.

Rare 1978 Dime Errors to Look For

Error coins are the “Holy Grail” for many everyday hunters. These are coins that were struck incorrectly by the minting machines. For the 1978 Roosevelt Dime, several types of errors can drastically increase the price. One common error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the coin blank was not aligned properly, resulting in a design that is shifted to one side.

Another exciting error is the “Broadstruck” dime. This happens when the “collar” (the ring that holds the coin in place and creates the reeded edge) is missing during striking. The result is a dime that looks flatter and wider than a normal one. These can sell for $20 to $50 depending on the severity.

Die cracks and “Cuds” are also found on 1978 dimes. A die crack appears as a raised line of metal on the coin’s surface, caused by a crack in the steel minting die. If you find a coin that looks “deformed” or has strange extra metal, do not throw it away! It might be a valuable error.

Error Type	Estimated Value
10% Off-Center	$15 – $30
50% Off-Center (with Date)	$75 – $150
Broadstruck	$20 – $45
Multiple Strike Error	$200+

How to Safely Store and Grade Your Dimes

If you believe you have found a high-value 1978 dime, especially one with Full Bands or a major error, you need to protect it. Handling coins with your bare hands can leave oils that eventually cause “toning” or corrosion. Professional collectors use cotton gloves or handle coins only by their edges.

Storing your coins in PVC-free flips or plastic tubes is the best way to prevent scratches. If a coin is scratched, its grade can drop from an MS65 to an MS60 instantly, losing 90% of its potential value. For coins that appear to be in nearly perfect condition, you might consider professional grading services like PCGS or NGC.

Before spending money on grading fees, which can cost $30 to $50 per coin, use the CoinKnow app to get a preliminary idea of the grade. This ensures you aren’t spending more on the grading process than the coin is actually worth. Proper preservation is the difference between a coin that is worth ten cents and one that is an heirloom.

Is a 1978 Dime Pure Silver?

A common misconception among new collectors is that old-looking dimes are made of silver. However, the United States stopped using 90% silver for dimes, quarters, and halves in 1964. The 1978 Roosevelt Dime is a “clad” coin, meaning it is made of a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

You can easily tell it is a clad coin by looking at the edge. If you see a copper-colored “sandwich” stripe, it is a standard nickel-copper dime. If the edge is solid silver-colored, it might be a silver proof (though the US didn’t regularly make silver proofs in 1978) or an extremely rare wrong-planchet error.

While they lack silver melt value, the 1978 dime’s value is purely numismatic. This means it is based on rarity and demand from collectors. While you won’t get rich off the metal content, finding a high-grade 1978 dime in an old mint set or a forgotten coin bank can still be a rewarding experience.

FAQ

Q: Why does my 1978 dime have no mint mark?

A: In 1978, the Philadelphia Mint produced all its dimes without a mint mark. This is normal and indicates the coin was struck in Philadelphia. It is not an error and does not automatically make the coin rare.

Q: What is the record price for a 1978 dime?

A: The record price for a 1978 no mint mark dime is over $1,500 for a specimen graded MS68 with Full Bands. Most 1978 dimes, however, are only worth ten cents.

Q: Are there any 1978 silver dimes?

A: No, the 1978 Roosevelt dime was not officially produced in silver. All circulation and proof strikes for that year were made of a copper-nickel clad composition.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1978 dime?

A: If it has one, the mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) is located just above the date on the obverse (front) of the coin. If that area is blank, it was minted in Philadelphia.