Is the 1993-D Roosevelt Dime Worth Money? Value & Guide
The 1993-D Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $0.10 in worn condition to over $600 for exceptional specimens in high mint state grades. While most of these coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain high-grade examples and rare errors can fetch a significant premium from collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.10 |
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | $0.15 – $0.30 |
| Uncirculated (MS63) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Gem Mint (MS65 Full Bands) | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS67+ FB) | $100.00+ |
Identifying Your 1993-D Roosevelt Dime
If you have just cleared out your piggy bank and found a shiny dime from the early 90s, the first thing you should look for is the mint mark. The “D” located right above the date indicates that this coin was produced at the Denver Mint. In 1993, the Denver Mint was incredibly productive, pumping out over 700 million of these small silver-colored discs. Identifying a winner among hundreds of millions requires a keen eye or the use of a top coin identifier app to ensure you aren’t missing subtle details.
Most Americans encounter the 1993-D dime in daily transactions. These coins are made of a copper-nickel clad composition, not silver. By 1993, silver had been gone from circulating dimes for nearly thirty years. This means your high-volume pocket change isn’t a “silver find,” but that doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Serious collectors look for the “Full Bands” (FB) designation, which refers to the horizontal lines on the torch on the reverse side of the coin.
Using an app like CoinKnow, you can quickly snap a photo of your coin to see if the strikes are sharp enough to warrant a professional grading. A sharp strike on the hair of Roosevelt and the details of the torch is what separates a common ten-cent piece from a collector’s item.
Understanding 1993-D Roosevelt Dime Value and Market Trends
The market for modern Roosevelt dimes is driven almost entirely by the “condition census.” This means the value is determined by how perfect the coin is compared to every other 1993-D dime ever found. For a coin that had a mintage of 744,312,250, you can imagine there are plenty of them around. However, coins that were saved in mint sets or original bank rolls often retain their original “mint luster.”
Current market data tells us that an average 1993-D dime in Mint State 65—which means it has very few marks and great luster—sells for a modest price. However, as the grade moves up to MS67 or MS68, the price climbs exponentially. You can find more detailed breakdowns of the 1993 Roosevelt Dime price trends which show how high-grade specimens from both Philadelphia and Denver compare in today’s auctions.
For everyday hunters, the challenge is finding a coin that looks like it just came off the press. Most dimes in your wallet have been banging against keys and other coins for decades. If you find one that looks “proof-like” or exceptionally clean, it might be worth a few dollars. CoinKnow helps users track these price fluctuations in real-time, making it easier to decide whether to spend the coin or save it.
| Grade | Non-FB Value | Full Bands (FB) Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | $1 | $3 |
| MS65 | $5 | $15 |
| MS66 | $12 | $45 |
| MS67 | $35 | $180 |
What Does “Full Bands” Mean for Your 1993 Dime?
The “Full Bands” (FB) designation is the holy grail for Roosevelt dime collectors. If you look at the reverse of the coin, you will see a torch. On the top and bottom of this torch are horizontal bands. In many minting runs, the pressure isn’t high enough to fully bring out the detail in these bands, leaving them looking flat or blended together.
A 1993-D dime is considered “Full Bands” if the horizontal lines are clearly separated with no interruptions. This indicates a very strong strike and an early die state. Because the Denver Mint produced so many coins, the dies often wore down, making Full Band examples significantly rarer than “flat” examples.
When analyzing 1993-D dime value and variety data, you will notice that FB coins can sell for five to ten times more than their non-FB counterparts at the same grade level. This is why many hobbyists use high-powered magnifying loupes or digital microscopes to inspect the reverse of their coins.
Major Errors to Look For on 1993-D Roosevelt Dimes
Errors are where the real money is for the average person. Since billions of dimes were made, mistakes inevitably happened at the Denver Mint. One of the most common things people look for is a “Double Die.” While there are no major “King of Errors” for the 1993-D, you can find minor doubled dies on the eye or the lettering.
Another interesting error is the “Off-Center Strike.” This happens when the blank coin (planchet) isn’t centered correctly in the press. If you find a 1993-D dime where a portion of the design is missing and there is a blank crescent shape on the edge, you have a valuable error. Even a 10% off-center strike can turn a ten-cent coin into a $20 item.
Broadstrikes are also possible. This occurs when the retaining collar of the coin press fails, allowing the metal to flow outward further than it should. The coin will look larger and thinner than a normal dime and will lack the “reeding” (the ridges on the edge). If you suspect your coin is an error, CoinKnow can provide community feedback and expert comparisons to help you verify your find.
| Error Type | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|
| 10% Off-Center | $15 – $30 |
| 50% Off-Center (With Date) | $75 – $150 |
| Broadstruck | $10 – $25 |
| Dipped in Gold/Plating Alteration | Face Value (Damaged) |
The Composition and Technical Specs of the 1993-D Dime
Understanding what your coin is made of helps you identify fakes or “science project” coins. The 1993-D Roosevelt Dime is a clad coin. It consists of an inner core of pure copper, with an outer layer made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This is what gives the coin its silver-like appearance without containing any actual precious metal.
The coin weighs 2.27 grams. If you find a dime that feels significantly lighter or heavier, it could be a rare “wrong planchet” error, where a dime was struck on a blank meant for a different coin, such as a penny. However, most discoloration on 1993 dimes is just environmental damage. If a coin has been buried in the dirt for years, the copper core can react, turning the coin a dark brown or reddish color. This is not an error; it’s just “cupreous oxidation.”
Collectors also examine the “reeded edge.” On a genuine 1993-D dime, you should see 118 individual ridges. If the edges are smooth but the coin isn’t thin or wide like a broadstrike, it is likely just “dryer coin” damage—where the coin has been tumbled in a commercial dryer until the edges wore flat.
Is It Worth Sending Your 1993-D Dime for Grading?
Grading a coin through companies like PCGS or NGC costs money—usually around $20 to $50 per coin when shipping and fees are included. Because most 1993-D dimes are worth only ten cents, you should be very selective. Only send a coin for grading if you believe it is at least an MS67 with Full Bands.
A 1993-D dime in MS68 FB is a true rarity. At this level, there are very few known examples, and they can sell for several hundred dollars at major auction houses like Heritage Auctions. Before you spend money on professional grading, use a high-resolution camera and a coin app to compare your coin to known high-grade examples.
For the casual collector, keeping a nice uncirculated 1993-D in a simple cardboard 2×2 holder is a great way to start a collection without the high overhead of professional certification. The hobby is about the history and the hunt, and finding a “perfect” coin in a roll of change is one of the best feelings a collector can have!
FAQ
Q: Is the 1993-D Roosevelt Dime made of silver?
A: No. The last silver Roosevelt dimes intended for circulation were minted in 1964. The 1993-D is a clad coin made of copper and nickel. If it looks silver, that is simply the nickel plating.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1993-D dime?
A: You can find the “D” mint mark on the obverse (front) of the coin, just above the year “1993.” The “D” stands for the Denver Mint.
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1993-D dime?
A: While prices fluctuate, high-grade examples in MS68 Full Bands have sold for over $600 in professional auctions. Most common 1993-D dimes, however, sell for exactly ten cents.
Q: Can I find a 1993-S dime in my pocket change?
A: It is very unlikely. The “S” mint mark indicates the San Francisco Mint, which produced Proof coins in 1993. These were sold in special sets for collectors and were not meant for general circulation, though occasionally someone spends one by mistake!
