The 1987-D Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from its face value of $10 cents in worn condition to over $600 for exceptional “Full Band” specimens. While most found in pocket change are only worth their weight in copper and nickel, certain high-grade examples and errors can fetch a significant premium from collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 (Face Value)
About Uncirculated (AU)	$0.15 – $0.30
Uncirculated (MS63-MS65)	$1 – $5
Choice Mint State (MS67+)	$15 – $150
Full Band (FB) Designation	$20 – $650+

Identifying the 1987-D Roosevelt Dime in Your Collection

If you’ve recently sorted through a jar of coins and found a dime from late 80s, you might be curious about its history. The 1987-D Roosevelt Dime was struck at the Denver Mint, as indicated by the small “D” mint mark located just above the date on the obverse side. To quickly determine if your find is a rarity or just a standard spender, using a top coin identifier app can save you hours of manual research.

During 1987, the United States Mint produced over 600 million dimes in Denver alone. Because of this massive mintage, the coin is not considered “rare” in the traditional sense. Most of these coins entered circulation, where they suffered scratches, dings, and the loss of their original luster. For a 1987-D dime to be worth more than ten cents, it generally needs to be in “Mint State” (uncirculated) condition.

If your coin looks brand new—as if it just came from a bank roll—it might be worth a few dollars. Serious collectors look for the CoinKnow recommended “Full Band” (FB) detail on the reverse. This refers to the horizontal bands on the torch being clearly separated and distinct. Finding a 1987-D with these full details is much harder than finding a standard strike, which is why they command higher prices.

Understanding the 1987-D Roosevelt Dime Market Value

The market for modern dimes is heavily dependent on the numeric grade assigned by professional services like PCGS or NGC. While a standard 1987-D in your pocket is worth face value, an MS67 (Mint State 67) version is a different story. You can find detailed 1987 dime price trends that show how much collectors are willing to pay for these high-end pieces.

In recent years, high-grade 1987-D dimes have seen a surge in interest. Often, these coins are purchased by “registry set” collectors who compete to own the highest-quality version of every Roosevelt dime ever made. For most Americans, the challenge is finding a coin that hasn’t been touched by human hands or other coins in a bag.

Grade	Price Range (No FB)	Price Range (Full Band)
MS63	$0.50	$5.00
MS65	$1.50	$15.00
MS66	$8.00	$45.00
MS67	$35.00	$120.00
MS68	$250.00+	$600.00+

Does the 1987-D Dime Contain Silver?

One of the most common questions people ask about “old” dimes is whether they contain silver. Unfortunately, the US Mint stopped using silver for dimes intended for circulation in 1964. The 1987-D Roosevelt Dime is composed of a “clad” sandwich: an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper core.

If you weigh a 1987-D dime, it should weigh approximately 2.27 grams. Silver dimes (pre-1965) weigh 2.5 grams. You can also tell by looking at the edge of the coin. If you see a distinct copper-colored stripe, it is a standard clad coin. If you don’t have a scale at home, the CoinKnow app can help you identify composition based on a photo and historical records.

While it lack bullion value, its collector value remains a primary driver for those looking to sell. Even without precious metal content, a pristine 1987-D is a piece of American history that many people enjoy holding onto.

Key Rare Varieties and Errors for 1987 Dimes

While most 1987-D dimes are standard, error hunters keep an eye out for specific mint mistakes. Errors are where the real money is often hidden in common change. Because the Denver Mint was pumping out hundreds of millions of coins, quality control could occasionally miss a unique specimen.

One common error type is the “Die Crack” or “Cud.” This happens when the metal die used to stamp the coin breaks, leaving a raised blob of metal on the coin’s surface. Another sought-after error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the coin isn’t properly aligned with the dies, resulting in a misaligned image.

Double dies are less common for this specific year, but they are always worth checking for. Using the high-resolution camera on your phone with CoinKnow can help you spot subtle doubling on the letters or the date. Even a small error can turn a ten-cent coin into a $20 or $50 item overnight.

How Grading Affects the Price of Your 1987-D Dime

In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. A single scratch can be the difference between a coin worth $0.10 and one worth $100. Professional grading scales run from 1 to 70. For a 1987-D Roosevelt Dime to be truly valuable, it must generally grade at MS66 or higher.

Collectors use a magnifying glass (loupe) to look for “bag marks.” These are tiny nicks caused by coins hitting each other in the large canvas bags at the Mint. A “clean” coin with no marks on Roosevelt’s cheek and strong luster will always be the most desirable. If you think you have a “Gem” quality coin, it might be worth sending it to a grading service like PCGS.

Grading Term	Description	Value Factor
Very Good (VG)	Heavy wear, design is outlines.	Face Value
Extremely Fine (EF)	Only slight wear on high points.	Face Value
Mint State (MS)	No wear, original shiny luster.	Premium Value

Tips for Selling Your 1987-D Roosevelt Dime

If you believe you have found a valuable 1987-D dime, the next step is knowing how to sell it. For average uncirculated coins worth only a few dollars, eBay is usually the best platform. List the coin with clear, high-resolution photos and an honest description of the condition. Avoid cleaning the coin, as this can destroy its value and make it undesirable to collectors.

For high-grade coins or verified error coins, specialized auction houses may be a better route. Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections often handle modern dimes that sell for hundreds of dollars. Before selling, always compare your coin to recent “Sold” listings to ensure you have a realistic expectation of the current market price.

Finally, remember that the “D” mint mark is essential. While the Philadelphia (P) mint also produced dimes in 1987, their values can differ slightly based on the surviving population in high grades. Keeping your coins in protective flips or capsules is the best way to preserve their value for years to come.

FAQ

Q: Is there any specific error to look for on a 1987-D Dime?

A: While there aren’t many famous “major” errors for this year, you should look for off-center strikes and clipped planchets. A “clipped planchet” error occurs when the coin is struck on a piece of metal that was accidentally cut at the edge. These are quite rare and can be worth $30 to $100 depending on the size of the clip.

Q: Why is my 1987-D Dime shiny but not worth much?

A: A coin can be shiny because it was recently cleaned or because it has “natural luster.” If a coin has been in circulation, even if it looks bright, it likely has thousands of microscopic scratches that professional graders can see. Only coins that have never been used in commerce (Uncirculated) carry a significant premium.

Q: How many 1987-D Dimes were made?

A: The Denver Mint produced 635,381,346 dimes in 1987. Because over half a billion were minted, they remain common in circulation today. It is estimated that millions still exist in high grades, which keeps the price low for all but the most perfect “Full Band” examples.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1987 Roosevelt Dime?

A: For coins dated 1987, the mint mark (either a “P” for Philadelphia or a “D” for Denver) is located on the right side of the coin’s obverse, just above the date and behind Roosevelt’s neck. If you don’t see a mark at all, it’s likely a 1987-P that was weakly struck, as all 1987 dimes should have a mint mark.