1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime Value: Is It Worth Money?

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The 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $30 in circulated condition to over $2,000 for high-grade specimens. This modern rarity is a favorite among collectors because it represents a genuine US Mint error that slipped into public circulation, making it a “treasure hunt” item for everyday Americans.

Condition / Grade Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear) $30 – $75
About Uncirculated (AU) $100 – $200
Mint State (MS65) $300 – $600
Gem Mint State (MS67+) $1,000 – $2,000+

History of the 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime Error

If you have a 1982 dime without a mintmark, you might be holding one of the most significant error coins of the late 20th century. Usually, a dime without a letter indicates it was minted in Philadelphia. However, starting in 1980, the Philadelphia Mint began adding a “P” mintmark to all Roosevelt dimes. In 1982, a small number of dies were accidentally sent into production without this “P.”

When you find an old coin in your change, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common coin and a valuable error like this one. Most people assume their pocket change is only worth face value, but the CoinKnow app can help you spot the absence of that crucial letter. It is estimated that around 8,000 to 15,000 of these “No P” dimes were released before the mistake was caught.

Interestingly, many of these coins were discovered in the Sandusky, Ohio area, specifically at the Cedar Point amusement park. This suggests that a single shipment of these error coins was distributed through local banks in that region. Today, they are highly sought after because they are the first US business-strike coins to ever leave the mint missing a required mintmark.

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Identifying Your 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime

To identify if your coin is the valuable 1982 No P dime, you must look closely at the area just above the date. On a standard 1982 dime, you should see either a “P” for Philadelphia or a “D” for Denver. If the space is completely blank and smooth, you have found the error. However, you must ensure the coin is actually from 1982, as dimes from 1979 and earlier naturally do not have a “P” mintmark from Philadelphia.

Authenticating your find is crucial because some unscrupulous people may try to “smell” or grind off a mintmark to mimic the error. A legitimate 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime will have a clean, undisturbed surface where the mintmark should be. Using tools like CoinKnow can provide high-resolution references to compare your coin against.

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Because these were “business strike” coins intended for circulation, many show signs of wear. Even in worn condition, they retain significant value compared to a normal ten-cent piece. To get an idea of what professional collectors pay, you can check the current auction prices for 1982 dimes to see how the market is trending for different grades.

Key Feature What to Look For
Date Must be exactly 1982
Mintmark Location Empty space above the date
Surface Condition No signs of tampering or scratching in the mintmark area

The Two Distinct Varieties: Strong and Weak No P

Not all 1982 No Mintmark dimes are created equal. Collectors have identified two distinct “die varieties” known as the “Strong” and “Weak” versions. The “Strong” variety is the more desirable and valuable of the two. It was struck from a die that was in better condition, resulting in a sharp, clear image of Roosevelt and the torch on the reverse.

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The “Weak” variety was struck from a worn or over-polished die. These coins often look a bit fuzzy or lack the fine details in Roosevelt’s hair and the lines of the torch. While still valuable, the “Weak” variety generally sells for about 30% to 50% less than the “Strong” variety. Collectors prize the Strong No P dime because it looks like a perfect coin that just happens to be missing its identity.

If you are unsure which variety you have, taking a clear photo and uploading it to an app like CoinKnow can help you get a second opinion from a community of enthusiasts. Researching the 1982 dime value details across different online databases will also show you the price gap between these two versions.

Grading and How It Affects Price

In the world of coin collecting, “grade” is everything. Grading is a scale from 1 to 70 that measures the condition of a coin. Since most 1982 No P dimes were discovered in circulation, finding one in “Mint State” (MS60 or higher) is quite difficult and significantly boosts the price.

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A coin in MS65 condition—meaning it has a strong luster and very few distracting marks—can easily fetch $500. If you are lucky enough to find a specimen that is MS67 or higher, you are looking at a four-figure payday. Even “About Uncirculated” (AU) coins, which have only slight wear on the highest points of the design, sell for over $100 regularly.

Grade Designation Description Estimated Price
VF (Very Fine) Moderate wear, clear letters $40 – $60
EF (Extra Fine) Light wear on hair and torch $75 – $120
MS63 (Uncirculated) Full mint luster, some marks $250 – $350
MS67 (Gem) Nearly perfect to the naked eye $1,200+

Why the 1982 No P Dime is a Modern Rarity

While older coins like the 1916-D Mercury Dime are famous, the 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime is a “modern rarity.” This means it was produced during a time when coin manufacturing was supposed to be strictly controlled by computers and advanced machinery. The fact that a die missing a mintmark was prepared, processed, and used for hours without being noticed is a massive failure in Mint quality control.

For everyday Americans, this coin is special because it was never intended for hobbyists. It wasn’t sold in a special set or a velvet box; it was dumped into cash registers. This means there is still a chance—albeit a small one—that one of these is sitting in a jar of change or a forgotten piggy bank in your house. Unlike “Proof” no-mintmark coins (like the 1975 or 1983 proof errors), the 1982 error is a coin you can actually find in the wild.

The demand for this coin remains high because it is required for a complete “Roosevelt Dime” collection set. Since thousands of collectors try to complete these sets every year, and only a few thousand of these coins exist, the price remains stable and even increases as the population of “hidden” coins dwindles over time.

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How to Sell and Protect Your Coin

If you believe you have found a 1982 No Mintmark Roosevelt Dime, the first thing you should do is stop touching it with your bare fingers. The oils from your skin can damage the metal and lower the grade. Place it in a soft coin flip or a small plastic container.

Selling a coin like this is best done through a reputable dealer or a specialized auction site. Because this is a high-value error, many buyers will require “certification” from a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC. These companies will verify the coin is genuine and give it an official grade, which makes it much easier to sell for a fair price.

Before spending money on grading fees, use an app like CoinKnow to do a preliminary check. Look for the “Full Band” (FB) detail on the reverse torch. If the horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the torch are clearly separated, the coin is worth even more. This “FB” designation is the ultimate prize for Roosevelt Dime collectors.

FAQ

Q: Does a 1982 dime without a mintmark always mean it is an error?

A: Only for the year 1982. From 1946 to 1979, Philadelphia dimes were intentionally made without mintmarks. Starting in 1980, Philadelphia was supposed to use a “P.” Thus, 1982 is the first year where a missing mark is a confirmed error.

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Q: Is there a 1982-D No Mintmark dime?

A: No. The Denver Mint used a “D” mintmark, and there are no known cases of a 1982-D dime missing its “D.” The error only occurred at the Philadelphia flagship mint.

Q: Can I find this dime in pocket change today?

A: While highly unlikely, it is still possible. Most have been pulled from circulation by collectors, but “estate finds”—where old collections or jars are spent by people unaware of their value—occasionally put these rarities back into the hands of the public.

Q: Is it worth getting a worn 1982 No P dime graded?

A: Generally, yes. Even in heavily circulated condition, the coin is worth $30-$50. Since it is a frequently faked coin, having a professional “slab” (plastic holder) from a grading company proves it is real, making it much easier to resell later.