1970 Roosevelt Dime Value No Mint Mark: What Is It Worth?
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The 1970 Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.10 in worn condition to over $450 in high-grade mint state. While most dimes you find in your pocket change today are only worth ten cents, certain rare errors and high-quality specimens can fetch a significant premium from collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.10 – $0.20 |
| Uncirculated (MS63 – MS65) | $2.00 – $15.00 |
| High Grade (MS67+) | $100.00 – $450.00+ |
| 1970-S Proof (No S Error) | $500.00 – $1,500.00 |
Understanding the 1970 Roosevelt Dime No Mint Mark
If you are looking at a ten-cent piece from 1970 and don’t see a small letter next to the date, you might be wondering if you’ve struck gold. In the world of numismatics, identifying your coin correctly is the first step toward valuation. You can use a top coin identifier and value app to quickly check the specifics of your find.
A 1970 dime with no mint mark simply means it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. During this era, Philadelphia did not use a “P” mint mark on dimes. Millions of these were produced for general circulation, which is why most of them are common. However, the term “No Mint Mark” creates a lot of buzz because of a very specific and valuable error involving the 1970 proof sets, which we will discuss later.
For the everyday collector, finding a shiny 1970 dime in a drawer is exciting, but professional grading makes all the difference. Tools like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a common circulated coin and one that has remained in pristine condition for over five decades. While most “no mark” dimes from your change are worth face value, a perfectly preserved specimen is a different story.
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Identifying the Philadelphia vs. San Francisco Mints
In 1970, Roosevelt dimes were produced at three locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Denver coins feature a small “D” above the date. The San Francisco coins usually feature an “S” and were primarily produced as “Proof” coins for collectors. The Philadelphia coins have a blank space where the mint mark would be.
The vast majority of 1970 dimes without a mint mark are regular business strikes intended for spending. Because the Philadelphia Mint produced over 345 million of these, scarcity isn’t the primary driver of value for the average coin. Instead, the current 1970 dime market prices for Mint State grades show that collectors pay more for coins that lack scratches, fingerprints, or dullness.
If you happen to find a proof coin—one with a mirror-like finish—that is missing its “S” mint mark, you have found one of the “Holy Grails” of modern dime collecting. This error occurred when a proof die was sent from Philadelphia to San Francisco without the mint mark being punched into it. These rare errors are worth thousands, but they are never found in pocket change; they are only found inside 1970 Proof Sets.
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| Mint Location | Mint Mark | Mintage Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | Business Strike |
| Denver | D | Business Strike |
| San Francisco | S | Proof Strike |
Grading and How It Affects Your 1970 Dime Value
When determining the 1970 dime value and rarity factors, condition is king. Professional graders use a 70-point scale. A coin that is heavily worn is “Good” or “Fine,” while a coin that looks exactly as it did when it left the mint is “Mint State” (MS).
Most 1970 dimes found today are in “Circulated” condition. This means they have been touched by thousands of hands, used in vending machines, and rubbed against other coins. These are typically worth only $0.10. However, if you find one that was tucked away in a piggy bank and still has its original luster, it could be an MS65 or higher.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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To accurately grade your coin at home, you can use the CoinKnow app, which uses high-resolution imaging to compare your coin against known standards. A jump of just one or two points on the grading scale can mean the difference between a $1 coin and a $100 coin. For the 1970 Philadelphia dime, “Full Band” (FB) characteristics—where the horizontal bands on the torch on the reverse are clearly separated—can also skyrocket the value.
| Grade Designation | Visual Appearance | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| MS60 to MS63 | Briefly handled, some marks | $1 – $5 |
| MS65 | Strong luster, few marks | $10 – $25 |
| MS67 | Superb condition, near perfect | $150 – $300 |
| MS67 Full Bands | Perfect bands on many torches | $500+ |
The Rare 1970-S No S Proof Dime Error
We cannot talk about the 1970 dime without mentioning the legendary “No S” Proof dime. This is one of the most famous errors in U.S. mint history. In 1970, the San Francisco Mint struck proof sets for collectors. These coins were supposed to have an “S” mint mark.
However, a mistake at the Philadelphia Mint (where proof dies were made) resulted in a small number of Roosevelt dime dies being shipped to San Francisco without the “S.” An estimated 2,200 of these “No S” proof dimes were released within the 1970 proof sets before the mistake was caught.
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If you have a 1970 proof set, look closely at the dime. If it has a mirror-like field and frosted details but is missing the “S” mark, you are looking at a coin worth over $500. Some high-grade examples have even sold for over $2,000 at auction. This is the only type of “No Mint Mark” 1970 dime that is considered a major rarity.
Common Errors Found on 1970 Dimes
Aside from the famous proof error, standard 1970 dimes can have other production mistakes. These are often more common than you think and can add a nice bonus to the coin’s value. Using CoinKnow for error identification can help you spot these subtle details.
Common errors include “Off-Center Strikes,” where the coin isn’t lined up with the die, causing part of the design to be missing. Another is “Double Die” errors, though there are no major 1970 doubled dies as famous as the 1955 penny, minor doubling on the date or lettering can still occur.
Clipped planchets (where the metal disc was cut incorrectly) and die cracks are also found by eagle-eyed collectors. While these errors don’t usually reach the thousands of dollars, a significant off-center strike on a 1970 dime can easily sell for $20 to $50 to the right buyer.
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| Error Type | Description | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| 50% Off-Center | Half of the image is missing | $50 – $100 |
| Die Crack | Raised line of metal on surface | $5 – $15 |
| Broadstruck | Coin is flatter and wider than normal | $10 – $30 |
Is It Worth Getting Your 1970 Dime Professionally Graded?
Most people ask if they should send their coin to a service like PCGS or NGC. For a 1970 dime without a mint mark, the answer is usually “no” unless the coin is in spectacular condition. It costs about $30-$50 per coin for professional grading once you factor in shipping and insurance.
If your dime is worth ten cents, you would be losing money. However, if you believe you have found the “No S” Proof error or a coin that could grade MS68, then professional certification is essential. Graded coins sell for much higher prices at auction because the buyer has a guarantee of the coin’s authenticity and state of preservation.
Take a good look at the coin under a magnifying glass. If you see even the tiniest scratch on Roosevelt’s cheek, it likely won’t hit the high grades needed to justify the cost. For most 1970 dimes, keeping them in a simple cardboard 2×2 holder is the best way to preserve them without spending too much money.
## FAQ
Q: Is a 1970 dime with no mint mark rare?
A: No, it is not generally rare. A 1970 dime with no mint mark was minted in Philadelphia, and over 345 million were produced. It is only rare if it is a “Proof” coin missing its “S” mark or if it is in perfect, high-grade condition.
Q: How can I tell if my 1970 dime is a Proof coin?
A: Proof coins have a very shiny, mirror-like background and very sharp, frosted details. They were sold in plastic cases from the mint to collectors. If you found it in pocket change, it is almost certainly a regular business strike, which is not a proof.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Q: Does the 1970 dime contain silver?
A: No. The U.S. Mint stopped using silver for dimes after 1964. The 1970 dime is made of a “clad” composition, which is a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Q: Where is the mint mark located on a 1970 dime?
A: The mint mark on a 1970 Roosevelt dime is located just above the date on the right side of the coin. If there is a “D,” it’s from Denver. If there is an “S,” it’s from San Francisco. If there is nothing, it’s from Philadelphia.
Q: What is the most ever paid for a 1970 Roosevelt Dime?
A: A 1970-S “No S” Proof Roosevelt Dime once sold for over $1,600. For regular business strikes (no mint mark), high-grade specimens in MS67 with Full Bands can sell for $500 to $800.
