The 1968-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $0.10 in circulated condition to over $500 for elite specimens in high-grade proof finishes. While millions of these coins were produced for collectors, finding one in your change today usually warrants a closer look to determine its specific minting characteristics and market demand.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 – $0.25
Proof-65 (Typical)	$2.00 – $5.00
Proof-69 Deep Cameo	$25.00 – $60.00
Proof-70 Ultra Cameo	$400.00+

Understanding the 1968-S Roosevelt Dime Production

The year 1968 marked a significant shift for the United States Mint. This was the year that mint marks returned to U.S. coins after a three-year hiatus during the “Special Mint Set” era of 1965-1967. For the Roosevelt Dime, the “S” mint mark indicates that the coin was struck at the San Francisco Assay Office.

If you have found a 1968 dime and noticed a tiny “S” just above the date, you have found a San Francisco strike. To get an instant identification of your coin’s origin, you can use the top coin identifier app available for your smartphone. Curiously, in 1968, the San Francisco mint primarily produced Proof sets, not circulation-strike coins.

This means that if you find a 1968-S dime in your pocket change today, it likely originated from a broken-apart proof set. These coins were intended for collectors and possess a mirror-like finish. Because they weren’t meant for daily transactions, they are far less common in the wild than the Philadelphia (no mint mark) or Denver (D) coins. Using a tool like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a heavily worn proof and a standard business strike from another year.

Calculating the 1968-S Proof Dime Value by Grade

When evaluating your 1968-S Roosevelt Dime, the grade (or condition) is everything. Since almost all 1968-S dimes were struck as proofs, they are expected to be in near-perfect condition. A “Proof” is not a grade itself, but a method of manufacture. The numeric grade follows on a scale from 1 to 70.

Most 1968-S dimes found in original government packaging will grade between Proof-65 and Proof-67. These are common and usually sell for just a few dollars. However, as you reach the “perfect” score of Proof-70, the price skyrockets. Collectors pay a massive premium for coins that show no signs of handling, spots, or hairline scratches under magnification.

Check out the 1968 Roosevelt Dime auction prices to see how much top-tier specimens have sold for recently. Keep in mind that for a 1968-S dime to be worth significant money, it generally needs to be certified by a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.

Grade Designation	Characteristics	Market Price
PR 63-65	Visible scratches or cloudiness	$1 – $3
PR 67-68	Very attractive, minor flaws	$5 – $15
PR 69 DCAM	Virtually perfect with deep frost	$35 – $75
PR 70 DCAM	Perfect specimen	$450+

The “No S” Error – The Holy Grail of 1968 Dimes

While the standard 1968-S is affordable, there is a legendary “rarity” within this year that every hunter dreams of finding. In 1968, the San Francisco Mint accidentally released a small number of proof dimes that were missing the “S” mint mark entirely.

This occurred because the Philadelphia Mint (which makes the dies) failed to punch the mint mark into a few of the proof dies before shipping them to San Francisco. These “No S” 1968 proof dimes are incredibly rare. Only a few dozen are known to exist, and they sell for thousands of dollars at major auctions.

It is important to remember that a 1968 dime without a mint mark is only valuable if it is a Proof strike. Millions of regular 1968 dimes were made in Philadelphia with no mint mark for general circulation, and these are only worth 10 cents. To tell the difference, look for a deep, mirror-like background and sharp details. You can find detailed 1968 dime value and error guides to help you identify if you have a common Philly coin or a rare Proof error.

Cameo vs. Deep Cameo: What Boosts 1968-S Value?

In the world of proof coins, the visual contrast between the design and the background is a major price driver. When a proof coin is first struck with fresh dies, the raised parts (like Roosevelt’s head) look frosted or white, while the flat fields look like a dark mirror. This is called a “Cameo” effect.

If the frost is exceptionally thick and the mirrors are perfectly clear, the coin is designated as “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) or “Ultra Cameo.” In 1968, the technology for creating consistent frost was not as advanced as it is today. Consequently, very few 1968-S dimes retained a heavy frosted appearance.

If your dime has that “black and white” look where the portrait pops off the surface, it is significantly more valuable than a “brilliant” proof that looks shiny all over. The CoinKnow app can help you compare your coin’s appearance to high-resolution photos of DCAM specimens to see if yours fits the bill.

Surface Type	Visual Description	Value Impact
Brilliant Proof	Shiny/Mirror like everywhere	Standard Value
Cameo (CAM)	Moderate frost on the portrait	2x to 3x increase
Deep Cameo (DCAM)	High contrast “pop” effect	10x+ increase

Does the 1968-S Dime Contain Silver?

One of the most common questions from people who find older coins is: “Is it silver?” For the Roosevelt Dime series, the transition from silver to copper-nickel “clad” composition happened in 1965. Therefore, the 1968-S Roosevelt Dime is not silver.

It is made of a core of pure copper, with outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. If you look at the edge of the coin and see a brownish-orange copper stripe, that confirms it is a clad coin. While the San Francisco Mint did start making 90% silver proof sets again later in history (1992-present), the 1968-S was strictly base metal.

However, even without silver content, the 1968-S remains a favorite for collectors building “year sets.” Because it was the first year of the S-mint proof dime’s return, it holds a special place in numismatic history. For those managing a large collection, using a digital tool like CoinKnow makes it easy to track the mintage figures and market fluctuations of these clad treasures.

How to Safely Store Your 1968-S Roosevelt Dime

If you discover that your 1968-S dime is a high-grade proof or a potential DCAM specimen, you must handle it with extreme care. Proof coins have delicate surfaces that are easily ruined by the oils on human fingers. A single fingerprint can eventually eat into the metal, causing permanent damage.

Always hold the coin by its edges, or better yet, use lint-free cotton gloves. To preserve its value, store the coin in a PVC-free plastic flip or a hard plastic capsule. Avoid keeping coins in paper envelopes or cardboard boxes that contain sulfur, as this can cause the coin to “tone” or develop ugly brown spots.

If you suspect you have found the rare “No S” error, do not clean it! Cleaning a coin with polish or even soap and water can reduce its collector value by 50% or more. Instead, take clear photos and use a valuation app or consult a professional dealer to determine if it is worth sending to a grading company for authentication.

Protection Method	Best For	Cost
2×2 Cardboard Flip	Low-value proofs / basic protection	$0.10 each
Hard Plastic Capsule	High-grade DCAM specimens	$1.00 each
Professional Grading (Slab)	Rare errors and PR-70 coins	$30.00+ each

FAQ

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1968 dime?

A: On a 1968 Roosevelt Dime, the mint mark (either ‘D’ or ‘S’) is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. Look just above the date on the right side. If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia.

Q: Is a 1968-D Dime worth more than a 1968-S?

A: Generally, no. The 1968-D was produced for circulation in huge numbers (over 480 million). Unless it is in perfect, uncirculated condition, it is only worth its face value of 10 cents. The 1968-S is a proof coin and usually carries a small premium even in lower grades.

Q: Why is the 1968 “No S” dime so famous?

A: It is famous because it was the first time in U.S. Mint history that a proof coin was accidentally released without its required mint mark. It represents a major quality control failure that created an instant rarity, making it one of the most desired dimes of the modern era.

Q: If my 1968-S dime is scratched, is it still worth money?

A: Once a proof coin is scratched or “impaired,” its value drops significantly. Collectors usually only want proofs that are pristine. A heavily scratched 1968-S might only be worth 15 to 25 cents as a curiosity to someone filling a Whitman coin folder.