1968-D Roosevelt Dime Value: Is Your Pocket Change Worth Money?

The 1968-D Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from its $0.10 face value in worn condition to over $500 in high-grade mint state. While most coins found in change today are only worth ten cents, certain rare errors and high-quality specimens can fetch a significant premium from collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.10 – $0.25
About Uncirculated (AU)	$0.50 – $1.50
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$3.00 – $8.00
Mint State (MS-65+)	$15.00 – $100.00+
Rare Errors	$50.00 – $800.00+

Understanding the 1968-D Roosevelt Dime Value Today

If you’ve just checked your pocket change and spotted a dime with a small “D” next to the date, you are looking at a 1968 Roosevelt Dime struck at the Denver Mint. This was a transitional era for American coinage. Just a few years prior, the U.S. Mint transitioned from 90% silver to the copper-nickel “clad” composition we use today. This means that, unlike dimes from 1964 or earlier, the 1968-D dime does not contain any silver bullion value. Consequently, its worth is dictated entirely by its numismatic (collector) appeal.

For many casual hunters, identifying the difference between a common coin and a hidden gem can be difficult. Using a top coin identifier and value app is the quickest way to determine if your find has the specific characteristics that collectors look for. Most 1968-D dimes seen in daily commerce are heavily worn. Because billions were minted, common circulated examples generally only carry their face value.

However, the CoinKnow app can help you spot high-grade details that aren’t visible to the naked eye. In some cases, a 1968-D dime in pristine condition can be quite lucrative. Collectors pay close attention to the 1968 Roosevelt dime price guide for uncirculated grades, because coins that have never been spent retain their original mint luster and sharp strike details.

The Significance of the Denver Mint Mark

In 1968, the United States Mint resumed the use of mint marks on the obverse (heads side) of the coin. For the three years prior (1965-1967), mint marks were omitted to discourage coin hoarding during the silver-to-clad transition. The “D” on your 1968 dime signifies that it was produced in Denver, which minted over 289 million of these coins that year.

While the “D” mint mark is common, its presence is crucial for record-keeping and identifying specific mintage varieties. When evaluating your coin, check just above the date on the right side. If the “D” is sharp and well-defined, it adds to the aesthetic appeal. If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia.

Because so many were made, the rarity of a 1968-D dime comes down to “Full Bands.” This is a term used by collectors to describe the horizontal bands on the torch on the reverse (tails side) of the coin. If those lines are completely separated and visible, the coin is considered a high-quality strike and its value skyrockets. The CoinKnow tool is excellent for helping you learn how to identify these “FB” (Full Band) designations.

Current Market Prices for 1968-D Roosevelt Dimes

The current market for 1968-D dimes is split between volume sellers and high-end grade chasing. For most people, the coin is worth exactly ten cents. However, if you have a coin that looks like it just came out of a fresh roll, you should look at the 1968 Roosevelt dime valuation data to see what recent auctions have yielded.

Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC assign a numerical grade from 1 to 70. A 1968-D dime graded MS-67 (Mint State 67) is a rare find and can sell for hundreds of dollars because very few survived in that condition without scratches or “bag marks.”

Grade	1968-P (No Mint Mark)	1968-D (Denver)
MS-63	$2.00	$3.00
MS-65	$10.00	$12.00
MS-67	$35.00	$45.00
MS-67 Full Bands	$400.00+	$550.00+

Valuable Errors to Look For in 1968-D Dimes

Mistakes made at the Denver Mint in 1968 can turn a common dime into a treasure. Error collectors look for specific anomalies that occurred during the striking process. One of the most sought-after errors is the “Repunched Mint Mark” (RPM). This happens when the punch used to place the “D” on the die was struck twice, creating a shadowed or doubled appearance on the letter.

Another common error to search for is the “Clipped Planchet.” This occurs when the circular metal disc (the planchet) is cut incorrectly from the metal strip, resulting in a coin with a crescent-shaped piece missing. While a small clip might only add a few dollars in value, a large, dramatic clip can be worth $50 or more.

Off-center strikes are also popular. If the coin was not properly aligned when the dies hit it, the design will be shifted to one side, leaving a blank crescent of metal. A 1968-D dime that is 10% to 20% off-center is a fantastic find for any “pocket change” hunter. If you think you found one, use CoinKnow to compare it against known error catalogs.

Is a 1968-D Dime Silver?

One of the most frequent questions people ask is whether their 1968 dime contains silver. Unfortunately, the answer for the 1968-D (Denver) issue is no. The U.S. Mint stopped using silver for circulating dimes after 1964. The 1968-D dime is composed of a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

You can easily test this yourself by looking at the edge of the coin. If you see a distinct copper-colored (orange or reddish) stripe running along the center of the edge, it is a clad coin. A silver dime will have a solid, bright white silver edge.

While there are legendary “transitional errors” where a 1968 dime was accidentally struck on a leftover silver planchet, these are incredibly rare—only a few are known to exist. If you find one that weighs 2.5 grams (silver) instead of 2.27 grams (clad), you may have found a coin worth thousands of dollars.

Feature	1964 Dime (Silver)	1968-D Dime (Clad)
Composition	90% Silver, 10% Copper	75% Copper, 25% Nickel (Clad)
Weight	2.50 Grams	2.27 Grams
Edge Appearance	Solid Silver/White	Copper/Brown Stripe Visible

How to Collect and Store Your 1968 Dimes

If you decide to start a collection of Roosevelt dimes, condition is everything. Because 1968-D dimes are not made of precious metal, their value is fragile. A single fingerprint or a small scratch can drop a coin’s potential value from $50 down to $0.10.

To preserve the 1968-D Roosevelt dime value, you should handle your coins by the edges only. Use PVC-free plastic holders or “flips” to keep them safe from the environment. If you find a particularly shiny specimen in a roll or an old jar, avoid the temptation to clean it. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or cloth creates micro-abrasions that professional graders can detect instantly, which orignally destroys the collector value.

Collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby for the whole family. By keeping an eye out for high-grade 1968-D dimes and using tools like the CoinKnow app, you can turn a mundane chore like sorting change into a potential treasure hunt.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1968-D dime is rare?

A: Check the condition first. If it looks brand new with no scratches and high luster, it could be a high-grade mint state coin. Next, look for “Full Bands” on the reverse torch or any striking errors like doubling or off-center marks.

Q: What is the most ever paid for a 1968-D Roosevelt Dime?

A: High-grade specimens with the Full Bands (FB) designation have sold for over $1,000 at major auctions. Specifically, an MS-68 FB example is the “holy grail” for this specific year and mint mark.

Q: Is there a 1968 “No S” Dime?

A: Yes, but that is a different coin. The “No S” 1968 dime is a proof coin (meant for collectors, not for circulation) that was mistakenly struck without the “S” mint mark from the San Francisco Mint. It is extremely valuable, but it is much shinier (mirror-like) than the standard 1968-D dime.

Q: Why is my 1968-D dime black or brown?

A: This is usually due to environmental damage or “toning.” Since the coin is mostly copper, it reacts to oxygen and moisture over time. While some “rainbow toning” is prized by collectors, dark brownish-black corrosion usually makes the coin worth only face value.