Rare 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime Value & Identification Guide
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
The 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $500 in lower proof grades to over $30,000 in top-tier museum quality. This modern rarity is a “holy grail” for collectors, representing a unique error where the San Francisco Mint forgot to add its signature mark to the coin.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| PR67 (Proof) | $500 – $750 |
| PR68 (Proof) | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| PR69 Deep Cameo | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| PR70 Deep Cameo | $25,000 – $32,000+ |
What Makes the 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime So Special?
If you are sorting through a collection or a “Proof Set” from the early 80s, you might be holding a small fortune. Usually, dimes minted in San Francisco for collectors carry a distinct “S” mint mark. However, in 1983, a single die was used that lacked this mark, creating the 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime.
Because official records don’t specify exactly how many were made, they are incredibly scarce. Detecting one requires a sharp eye and a top coin identifier and value app to ensure you aren’t looking at a common business strike. Most experts estimate that only a few thousand of these error coins exist in the world today.
Using an app like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a standard dime and a high-value proof. Standard dimes from 1983 were minted in Philadelphia (P) or Denver (D), but the Error “No S” coin only appears in the special mirrored Proof Sets. If your coin has a shiny, mirror-like background and no letter above the date, you may have found a winner.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
How to Identify a Genuine 1983 No S Dime
The most important step in valuing your treasure is identifying its finish. A “Proof” coin is struck twice with specially polished dies, giving it a frosty image of FDR and a reflective, glass-like background. The 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime value stems entirely from this specific proof finish.
If you find a dime in your pocket change without a mint mark, it is likely just a standard Philadelphia mint coin. During 1983, the Philadelphia mint often left the “P” mark off, or it was the standard practice for that year’s business strikes. Therefore, a circulated dime without an “S” is usually only worth its face value of ten cents.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
To be certain of your coin’s rarity, compare it against high-resolution photos in CoinKnow. If the coin looks exceptionally shiny and is part of a plastic-encased set from the U.S. Mint, the excitement begins. Check the 1983 Roosevelt Dime price data for standard versions to see the contrast in market demand between common strikes and this error.
| Feature | Proof Set (Error) | Business Strike (Common) |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Mirror-like, reflective | Dull or satin-like |
| Mint Mark | Missing (Should be S) | P, D, or Missing (Normal) |
| Edge Reed | Sharp, well-defined | Potentially worn |
Understanding the Impact of Grading on Price
Condition is everything when it comes to the 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A “PR70” is a perfect coin with no visible flaws even under 5x magnification. For this specific error, the difference between a PR68 and a PR70 can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Most of these error coins are found in “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) condition. This means there is a heavy contrast between the frosty design and the dark, mirror-like fields. Collectors pay a massive premium for coins that exhibit this “Black and White” effect. You can find detailed 1983 No S dime value charts that break down auction records by these specific grades.
When you use CoinKnow, you can get an estimate of your coin’s grade by comparing your coin’s luster and surface marks to graded examples. While an app isn’t a substitute for a professional slab, it gives you the confidence to decide whether or not to spend the money on professional authentication.
History of US Mint Errors: The “No S” Phenomenon
The 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime isn’t the only time the Mint has skipped a letter. Similar errors occurred in 1968, 1970, 1971, and 1975 (the latter being the rarest of all). These mistakes usually happen when a die is prepared at the Philadelphia Mint to be shipped to San Francisco, but the technician forgets to punch the “S” mint mark into the die.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
By the time the San Francisco Mint realizes the error, thousands of coins might have already been struck and packaged into Proof Sets. Once these sets were mailed to collectors across the country, the “No S” became a nationwide treasure hunt. Even today, some of these sets remain unopened in attics, potentially hiding a five-figure surprise.
If you suspect you have one of these historic errors, your first step should be to look at it through a jeweler’s loupe. Look for any signs of tampering; some unscrupulous people try to “file off” a mint mark to fake an error. A genuine 1983 Error Dime will have perfectly smooth surfaces where the mint mark should have been.
| Significant Auction Sales | Price Realized | Date of Sale |
|---|---|---|
| PCGS PR70 Deep Cameo | $31,200 | January 2023 |
| PCGS PR69 Deep Cameo | $5,405 | Sept 2022 |
| NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo | $4,500 | March 2021 |
How to Sell Your Rare 1983 Dime
If you have confirmed your coin is a 1983 No S through an app like CoinKnow and a local coin dealer, the next step is maximizing your profit. Because this is a high-ticket item, selling it on eBay might not be the best strategy due to the risk of scams and high fees.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Most owners of high-value errors choose major auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stacks Bowers. These venues cater to serious collectors who are willing to pay top dollar for authenticated, graded coins. Before selling, you must have the coin “slabbed” (certified) by PCGS or NGC. This certification is the only way a buyer will trust the coin’s authenticity.
Keep in mind that the market for rare coins fluctuates. While the current 1983 No S Roosevelt Dime value is high, keeping an eye on recent sales trends is essential. Using a price tracker or a professional coin app will help you time your sale to ensure you get the best possible price for your modern American rarity.
FAQ
Q: Is every 1983 dime without a mint mark valuable?
A: No. Most 1983 dimes found in circulation were minted in Philadelphia and naturally do not have a mint mark (or have a ‘P’). Only the “Proof” versions—which are very shiny and intended for collectors—are valuable if they are missing the “S” mark.
Q: How many 1983 No S Dimes are known to exist?
A: It is estimated that only 3,000 to 3,500 of these coins exist. This makes them much rarer than many other error coins of the same era.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Where can I find one of these coins?
A: They are almost exclusively found in 1983 U.S. Mint Proof Sets. If you have an old maroon-colored box containing 1983 coins in a plastic lens, check the dime carefully!
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1983 No S Dime?
A: A perfect PR70 Deep Cameo specimen sold for over $31,000 at auction. Most high-grade examples (PR69) sell in the range of $3,000 to $5,000.
Q: Can I use an app to identify this error?
A: Yes, CoinKnow and other coin identification tools can help you distinguish between a standard strike and a proof strike, which is the first step in identifying this rare error.
