The 1979 Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from its $0.10 face value in worn condition to over $1,500 for rare high-grade specimens or major errors. While most are common, specific characteristics like the lack of a mint mark tell a fascinating story about American mintage and coin values today.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 – $0.25
Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63)	$1.00 – $3.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS65)	$10.00 – $25.00
Superb Gem (MS67+)	$50.00 – $500.00+

Understanding the 1979 Dime With No Mint Mark

If you have a 1979 dime and you don’t see a small letter next to the date, you might think you’ve found a rare manufacturing mistake. However, in the world of US coinage, the absence of a mark is actually a traditional signature. For decades, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark on its coins. If you’re wondering how to tell if yours is a standout piece, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common pocket change find and a high-grade collector’s item.

In 1979, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 315 million dimes. Because of this massive mintage, a “No Mint Mark” dime found in your spare change is generally only worth its face value of ten cents. Collectors are primary interested in coins that have never been spent—these are called “uncirculated” coins. If you use the CoinKnow app to scan your dime, it can help you spot the difference between a shiny new coin and one that has been dulling in pockets for forty years.

Identifying the exact grade of your 1979 Philadelphia dime is the key to unlocking its potential worth. While millions exist, very few survived without a single scratch or fingerprint. High-end collectors pay a premium for “Full Torch” or “Full Bands” (FB) designations, where the horizontal lines on the torch on the reverse side are perfectly crisp and separated.

Grading and 1979 Roosevelt Dime Value

When determining the 1979 Roosevelt Dime market price for Mint State grades, professional grading becomes essential. The numismatic scale goes from 1 to 70. Most 1979 dimes you find today are in the “Fine” to “Extremely Fine” range (grades 12 to 45), meaning they have significant wear. These are worth exactly ten cents.

To reach a value above a few dollars, the coin must be in Mint State (MS). An MS65 dime is significantly cleaner than an MS60. Once you reach the MS67 level, the price starts to climb rapidly because surviving examples are so rare. CoinKnow users often find that while their coins look “perfect” to the naked eye, a magnifying glass reveals tiny contact marks from when the coins were bagged at the mint.

For those curious about how these grades translate into dollars, refer to the detailed pricing table below. Note that “FB” (Full Bands) refers to the torch on the back, which adds significant value to any uncirculated 1979 dime.

Grade (Numeric)	Standard Value	Full Bands (FB) Value
MS63	$2.50	$5.00
MS65	$12.00	$35.00
MS66	$25.00	$90.00
MS67	$55.00	$450.00

The Philadelphia vs. Denver and San Francisco Mints

In 1979, the US Mint operated in three primary locations: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D” mint mark), and San Francisco (“S” mint mark). If you compare a 1979-P (Philadelphia) with a 1979-D, you will see that they are both made for general circulation. The “S” mint mark is reserved for “Proof” coins, which are specially struck for collectors and have a mirror-like finish.

Interestingly, 1979 was the last year that the Roosevelt Dime from Philadelphia did not feature a mint mark. Starting in 1980, the Philadelphia Mint began using the “P” mark. This makes the 1979 “No Mint Mark” dime a bit of a historical bookend. Understanding these small differences is where CoinKnow excels, as it helps even beginners distinguish between different mint origins.

While the Denver mint produced nearly 490 million dimes that year, they are often found in slightly better condition than Philadelphia strikes. However, the value and rarity of a 1979-P dime remain higher in top-tier grades simply because fewer were preserved by collectors at the time.

Is Your 1979 Dime a Rare Error?

Error coins are the “holy grail” for everyday people searching their change. For the 1979 dime, several errors can significantly increase the value beyond the standard ten cents. The most common errors include off-center strikes, where the coin image isn’t centered, and clipped planchets, where a piece of the metal disc is missing.

Another notable area to watch for is the “Double Die.” While there aren’t massive, famous 1979 double die dimes, subtle doubling on the letters or Roosevelt’s profile can increase a coin’s worth to $20 to $50. If the coin is struck on the wrong metal—such as a penny planchet—it could be worth thousands. Use your CoinKnow app to check for these anomalies if the coin looks “weird” or “off.”

Below is a table showing the estimated values for common errors found on 1979 Philadelphia Roosevelt Dimes. High-quality errors are highly sought after in the secondary market.

Error Type	Description	Typical Value
Off-Center (10-20%)	Design is shifted to one side.	$15 – $40
Broadstruck	Coin is flatter and wider than normal.	$10 – $25
Die Crack	Raised lines on the surface.	$2 – $5
Struck on Penny Planchet	Dime struck on a copper blank.	$300+

Tips for Collectors and Treasure Hunters

If you are just starting to collect, the 1979 dime is a great way to learn about the “Full Bands” designation. To see if your coin has Full Bands, look at the torch on the reverse side. There are two sets of horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the torch. If those lines are clearly separated with no merging, you have a coin that is worth significantly more than a standard strike.

Always handle your coins by the edges. Even a high-value 1979 dime can lose its value if oil from your skin creates stains or removes the “mint luster.” If you find a particularly shiny 1979 dime in a roll or an old jar, keep it separate from other coins to prevent scratches.

Finally, keep an eye out for the San Francisco Proof dimes from this year. Specifically, the “Type 2” Clear S proof dime. While this article focuses on the “No Mint Mark” Philadelphia version, the 1979 proof set had a variety change mid-year that makes the Clear S version quite valuable to collectors. It’s always worth checking a 1979 dime for any mint mark!

FAQ

Q: Why does my 1979 dime have no mint mark?

A: This is perfectly normal! For most of its history, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark on its coins. The absence of a mark simply indicates it was struck in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until 1980 that a “P” was added to the Roosevelt dime.

Q: Is a 1979 dime made of silver?

A: No. The US stopped making silver dimes for general circulation in 1964. Your 1979 dime is made of a “clad” composition: a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It will not have the same “ring” as a silver coin when dropped.

Q: What is the most expensive 1979 Roosevelt Dime ever sold?

A: The record prices are usually held by MS68 or MS69 coins with Full Bands. A 1979 Roosevelt Dime in MS68FB can sell at auction for over $1,500. Most everyday dimes, however, stay around their face value unless they are in pristine condition.

Q: Can I find a 1979 dime error in my pocket change?

A: Yes, it is possible! While major errors like “off-center strikes” are usually caught at the mint, minor errors like die cracks or “filled dies” can still be found in circulation today. Using CoinKnow to scan your change is a fast way to see if your find is worth a closer look.