1966 Dime Error List & Value
The 1966 dime is a United States ten-cent coin that was produced by the United States Mint. It is part of the Roosevelt dime series, which was first introduced in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who passed away in 1945.
In this article, you will discover everything there is to know about the 1966 dime. Its background, how to assess its condition, and where to discover the market value.
1966 Roosevelt Dime Penny Details
The 1966 dime is an iconic coin that has been in circulation for over five decades. This dime is made of copper and nickel, with the latter accounting for slightly more than 8% of each piece.
The 1966 dime’s overall mintage is quite impressive, with over 1.3 billion dimes minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints that year. Because of its high mintage, the 1966 dime is not deemed rare, making it a popular coin among collectors and enthusiasts.
The 1966 dime has a thickness of 1.35 millimeters, making it slightly thicker than other dimes. This thickness is due to the coin’s composition, which contains two layers of metal. The outer layer is 97.6% copper, while the interior layer is 8.33% nickel. All the coins made at the three mints have a diameter of 17.91 millimeters and a weight of 2.27 grams, with no mint mark on them.
1966 Roosevelt Dime Value Chart
Mint | Good | Fine | Extra Fine | Uncirculated |
1966 No Mint Mark Dime Value | $0.2 | $0.2 | $0.3 | $195 |
1966 Special Mint Set Value | – | – | – | $250 |
1966 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
In 1966, the United States Mint minted over 1.4 billion dimes across its three mint facilities (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco).
Coin collectors and enthusiasts might not be aware, but every dime produced in 1966 didn’t have a mint mark, so there was no way to tell where they were minted. This is because the United States Mint had stopped briefly the use of mint marks during the mid-1960s and the 1966 dimes were a part of this series.
It is impossible to determine which mint produced a particular 1966 dime unless it is in uncirculated condition or has other distinctive qualities or features. This can make collecting 1966 dimes difficult for mintmark enthusiasts.
The Roosevelt dime from 1966 is incredibly common and is very likely to be in your change stash due to its mass production. However, there are a few thousand coins in premium condition: MS 64 and MS 65. Fewer than a dozen specimens of the MS 65 1966 dime are known, making it much more difficult to locate coins in any grade higher than this.
The 1966 Roosevelt dime was minted in large quantities, resulting in a high mintage that flooded the market with this coin. As a result of this, the demand for the 1966 dime has remained low, which has subsequently resulted in a lower value than some of its predecessors or rare variations.
In circulated conditions, it is generally not more than its face value, which is currently around $0.10. However, collectors or coin enthusiasts may be willing to pay slightly more than face value, typically ranging from $0.15 to $0.35, depending on the condition of the coin. In flawless uncirculated condition, the coin might be worth about $210. The most expensive 1966 dime with grade MS6 was sold for $2,375 at a public auction.
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The 1966 Roosevelt Dime Special Mint Set
The United States Mint issued the 1966 Special Mint Set in place of traditional proof sets. This was due to a coin shortage and rising silver metal costs, which made producing proof sets more expensive. The Special Mint Set included uncirculated coins with a brilliant mirror-like surface produced with specially prepared dies and polished planchets.
This Special Mint Set was minted in San Francisco; however, it doesn’t come with its signature mint mark like other coins produced in San Francisco.
The dime included in the set is worth anywhere from a few dollars to around $10, based on its condition. A dime in mint condition with no scratches or evidence of wear may be worth more than a circulated dime.
In 1966, the San Francisco mint produced the Special Mint Sets in a large quantity – 2.2 million. As a result, their worth is not as high as it should be, given the fact that they were more attractive than regular coins.
In averagely circulated condition, a 1966 SMS dime is worth about $1, just a little above face value, and even in extra fine condition, it’ll still be worth about $20.
Finding a 1966 SMS dime in premium condition is rare, and those graded MS69 are worth about $250.
In 2021, a 1966 SMS dime-graded SP67 was bought at an auction for $12,500.
History of the 1966 Roosevelt Dime
The United States Treasury released the 1966 dime, also known as the Roosevelt dime, as a tribute to President Roosevelt and his work to discover a polio cure. The Mercury dime, which had been in use for over 30 years, was replaced by this coin when it was first released in 1965.
From 1933 until his passing in 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt served as the 32nd President of the United States. His struggle with polio, which he contracted in 1921 at 39, presented him with a great challenge. Despite his physical limitations, Roosevelt held the office of President for over ten years and developed a passion for polio study and care. He founded a foundation for infantile paralysis and, through his efforts, millions of dollars were raised for research and treatment of polio, which ultimately led to the development of the polio vaccine in 1955.
After Roosevelt died in 1945, Congress asked that a new dime be produced in his honor. A bill authorizing the production of the Roosevelt dime, which would contain a portrait of the late President on the obverse side of the coin, was passed in 1946.
The first Roosevelt dimes, which were designed by John R. Sinnock, who was the Chief Engraver of the United States at that time, were produced in 1946. They were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1965, the composition of the dime was changed to a copper-nickel blend to reduce production costs. Despite the change in composition, the design of the coin remained the same.
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1966 was the second year that copper-nickel coins replaced silver ones. The new dime was not marked with the United States mint’s location for its first two years of production following the Coin Act. United States Mint hoped that removing mintmarks would discourage collectors from hoarding coins with mintmarks, which it felt had a greater value. The practice of including mintmarks on coinage was revived in 1968 and is still practiced today.
1966 Roosevelt Dime Grading
Grading a 1966 dime entails inspecting its physical features to determine its condition and worth. Experts assessed the coin’s condition based on factors such as luster, surface condition, and strike. On the Sheldon coin grade scale, which ranges from 1 to 70, a 1966 dime in uncirculated condition may receive a grade of MS-60 to MS-67, depending on its overall appearance.
To know more about the worth of a 1966 Roosevelt dime, watch the video below.
Rare 1966 Roosevelt Dime Error Lists
When it comes to coin collecting, it’s critical to be conscious of potential errors that can increase the value and uniqueness of a coin. Collectors should keep a watch out for several errors on the 1966 dime in particular. While some of these errors are evident, others can be easily overlooked, so it is critical to scrutinize the coin to ensure that nothing is missed. Let’s take a quick look at a few of the 1966 dime errors.
1. The 1966 Roosevelt Dime Wrong-Center Error
When the blank planchet is not correctly placed in the middle of the lower and upper dies, an off-center strike occurs. Because of the wrong placement, the coin is only partially struck, the coin loses a few features.
1966 Roosevelt dimes with this error have a value of $15 to $25.
2. The 1966 Roosevelt Dime Incomplete Clad Error
Coin collectors find the 1966 Roosevelt dime with this error quite interesting because it’s unique.
The error happens when the planchet struck into the coins is not properly coated with the outer layer of the copper-nickel alloy during the minting process. As a result, some dimes were struck with only the copper layer, giving them a one-of-a-kind appearance and increasing their value among collectors.
In the world of coin collecting, the 1966 dime missing clad error is regarded as a significant blunder. While the precise number of coins with this error is unclear, it is thought to be relatively uncommon. This rarity, coupled with the coins’ distinct appearance, has made them extremely desirable among collectors.
The lost clad error dime from 1966 is worth about $600, according to numismatic services.
3. The 1966 Double Die Error
The 1966 double die error dime is one of the most well-known and sought-after numismatic currency errors. The mistake occurred during the minting procedure when the die used to strike the coin had a doubled image. As a result, the image appears twice on the coin, slightly offset from each other. The doubling on the 1966 double die error dime creates a unique and fascinating effect.
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The 1966 double die error dime is a relatively common coin error, with an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 examples in existence. However, it is still sought after by collectors, with high-grade examples fetching thousands of dollars at auction.
4. The 1966 Roosevelt Dime Clipped Planchet Error
The clipped planchet error coin has a piece of the coin’s edge that has been cut or broken off. This error occurs if the coin is fed incorrectly into the planchet-cutting machine, causing the machine to cut into the coin’s edge rather than creating a smooth, round edge.
The most valuable clipped planchet Roosevelt 1966 dimes are those with an elliptical shape, which can bring up to $30 on the open market. It is essential to note that proper authentication and grading are required to guarantee the authenticity and value of the coin.
Check out other interesting 1966 dime errors from this video.
1966 Roosevelt Dime FAQs
1. Can A 1966 Roosevelt Dime Be Silver?
No, the 1966 dimes are made of copper and nickel. The United States Mint stopped the production of silver coins in 1964.
2. Is 1966 Roosevelt Dime a Valuable Coin?
Yes, some 1966 dimes can be valuable, particularly those with rare errors or in top grades. However, most circulated 1966 dimes have a relatively low value.
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3. Is The 1966 Dime A Rare Coin?
With more than a billion 1966 Roosevelt dimes minted and circulated; it doesn’t classify as a rare coin.
4. Can I Sell My 1966 Dime To A Coin Dealer?
Of course, it’s legal to sell your coin to coin dealers. However, before doing this, make sure you are aware of the exact value of your coin, so you don’t get cheated and end up receiving less for a valuable coin.
5. What Is The Composition Of A 1966 Roosevelt Dime?
The Roosevelt 1966 dime is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
6. How Can I Tell If My 1966 Dime Is A Special Mint Set?
SMS coins usually have a glossy and more attractive finish than regular coins. just by looking at the surface of your coin, you should be able to tell if it’s a proof coin, an SMS coin, or a regular coin.
Conclusion
Finally, the 1966 dime is a common coin, while most of these dimes are only worth their face value of ten cents, rare error coins and those in good grades can be worth significantly more. Collectors continue to research and collect these coins because of their historical significance and monetary worth.
I have a 1966 dime in very good condition. I’m wandering what it would be worth in Australia?