The 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $500 in proof condition to over $3,500 in high-grade pristine state. If you find a shiny 1983 dime missing its mint mark, you might have just discovered one of the most elusive modern US coin errors ever minted.

Condition / Grade	Approximate Value
PR67 (Proof)	$600 – $800
PR68 (Proof)	$900 – $1,200
PR69 (Proof)	$1,500 – $2,500
PR70 (Proof Perfect)	$3,500+

What Exactly is the 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime?

To understand why this coin is so valuable, we first need to understand how the US Mint operates. Ordinarily, dimes intended for circulation were produced in Philadelphia (no mint mark or ‘P’) and Denver (‘D’). However, special high-quality coins for collectors, known as “Proof” coins, were produced at the San Francisco Mint. Every single proof dime from 1983 was supposed to feature an “S” mint mark.

This is where the mistake happened. A small batch of proof dies was sent from Philadelphia to San Francisco without the “S” mint mark being stamped onto them. As a result, a limited number of proof dimes were struck without the distinctive “S” identifying their origin. If you have been sorting through a collection and need quick identification, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a standard business strike and a rare proof error.

It is estimated that only about 3,000 to 3,500 of these “No S” dimes were ever released into the wild. Most were found within the 1983 Prestige Proof Sets or standard 1983 Proof Sets. Because the error was discovered early, many collectors began hunting through their sets, driving the price up significantly over the decades. If you think you’ve found one, CoinKnow can be a great tool to help you cross-reference the visual characteristics of proof coins versus regular circulation coins.

How to Identify a Rare 1983 No S Dime vs. a Common One

This is the most critical part: not every 1983 dime without a mint mark is a “No S” rarity. In 1983, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 600 million dimes. These coins naturally do not have a mint mark (or occasionally have a ‘P’). These “business strike” coins are meant for spending and are only worth their face value of 10 cents.

To be the valuable “No S” variety, your coin must be a Proof strike. Proof coins are easily identified by their mirror-like, shiny backgrounds and frosted, detailed portraits of FDR. They look much more “perfect” than the coins you find in your pocket change. If you find a 1983 dime in your spare change that is worn and dull, it is almost certainly a common Philadelphia strike. You can check the 1983-P dime value data to see how common these regular strikes actually are.

The valuable error coin has “sharp” edges and a deep strike. Many collectors use CoinKnow to zoom in on the details of the torch and branches on the reverse side. If the coin has a grainy texture or scratches from being in a cash register, it is not the rare “No S” proof. The rarity only exists in the “Proof” format intended for set collectors.

Feature	Common 1983 (P) Dime	Rare 1983 No S Proof
Finish	Dull/Lustrous	Mirror-Reflective
Strike Quality	Standard	Sharp/High Detail
Origin	Philadelphia	San Francisco
Rarity	Very Common	Extremely Rare

Current Market Prices for the 1983 No S Error Dime

The value of this coin has remained remarkably stable because the demand from Roosevelt Dime enthusiasts and “Error” collectors is always high. Most specimens are graded by professional services like PCGS or NGC. A 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime in a “Proof 69” grade (almost perfect) can easily fetch $1,500 to $2,000 at a major auction.

Recent sales cycles have shown that even lower-grade proofs that might have some light clouding or “haze” still sell for several hundred dollars. For those looking for the ultimate prize, a PR70 (a perfect coin) is the “holy grail” of this series. You can find more comprehensive 1983 dime value information to help you compare your coin to recent auction results.

Prices can fluctuate based on the “eye appeal” of the coin. Some proof coins develop a beautiful rainbow toning over time, which can actually add a premium to the price. Using CoinKnow helps you keep track of these market trends and ensures you don’t sell a valuable asset for less than its market worth.

Why Did the San Francisco Mint Forget the ‘S’?

The “No S” error was not limited to 1983. In fact, there are famous “No S” errors from 1968, 1970, 1971, and 1975. The cause is usually a human error at the Philadelphia Mint’s engraving department. At that time, all dies were created in Philadelphia. The mint marks were hand-punched into the dies before they were shipped to the branch mints in Denver or San Francisco.

In 1983, a workman simply missed one of the dime dies during the punching process. This die was then crated and shipped to San Francisco. Once it arrived, the press operators at the San Francisco Mint didn’t notice the missing ‘S’ and began striking thousands of coins. By the time the error was discovered, many of the 1983 Proof Sets had already been mailed out to customers across the United States.

Because the US Mint high-quality control standards are usually so strict, these “mistakes” are incredibly popular. Collectors love pieces that represent a “breakdown” in the official process. If you own a 1983 Proof set, it is worth the ten seconds it takes to look at the dime with a magnifying glass. You might be sitting on a three-figure or four-figure profit!

Year of “No S” Error	Average Value (PR69)
1968 No S Dime	$25,000+
1970 No S Dime	$1,000+
1975 No S Dime	$450,000+ (Extreme Rarity)
1983 No S Dime	$1,500 – $2,500

Tips for Selling and Grading Your 1983 No S Dime

If you believe you have found the genuine article, do not clean it! One of the biggest mistakes everyday Americans make when finding an old coin is trying to polish it. Cleaning a proof coin will leave tiny scratches (hairlines) that will instantly destroy its collector value. Even a “perfect” coin can drop from $3,000 in value to $100 if it has been cleaned.

Instead, handle the coin only by its edges and place it in a protective plastic flip or archival-safe holder. Your next step should be to consult a professional grading service like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company). A “certified” No S dime is much easier to sell and brings a much higher price than an “unrefined” or “raw” coin.

Before spending money on grading fees, use CoinKnow to get a preliminary idea of the grade. Often, the app can help you see if there are significant flaws that might make grading a waste of money. Once certified, you can sell your coin through major auction houses like Heritage Auctions or specialized coin platforms to ensure you get the best market price.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 1983 No S Dime

FAQ

Q: Can I find a 1983 No S Dime in my pocket change?

A: While it is theoretically possible, it is extremely unlikely. These are proof coins that were sold in plastic cases to collectors. A 1983 dime from circulation without a mint mark is almost certainly a common Philadelphia strike worth only 10 cents.

Q: How many 1983 No S Dimes are known to exist?

A: Experts estimate that between 3,000 and 3,500 pieces were produced. However, fewer than that have been officially “certified” by grading services, meaning there may still be hundreds hidden in unopened 1983 Proof Sets sitting in people’s attics.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1983 No S Dime?

A: High-grade examples in PR70 Deep Cameo (DCAM) condition have sold for over $10,000 in the past at premium auctions, though the average high-grade price typically sits between $2,000 and $4,000.

Q: Does the 1983-P or 1983-D dime have any value?

A: Standard 1983-P and 1983-D dimes are generally worth face value. However, if they are in “Mint State 67” or higher (perfectly preserved from a mint roll), they can be worth $20 to $50 to collectors trying to complete a registry set.

Q: Is there a 1983 No S Nickel or Penny?

A: The most famous “No S” errors of that era are found on dimes. However, there is a famous 1990 No S Lincoln Penny. Always check your proof sets from the 70s, 80s, and 90s for missing mint marks!