The 1968-D Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $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 their face value, certain rare errors and pristine uncirculated specimens can fetch a surprising premium from coin collectors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63) | $1.00 – $5.00 |
| Gems / High Grade (MS65+) | $15 – $50 |
| Full Band (FB) Specimens | $100 – $450+ |
History and Mintage of the 1968-D Roosevelt Dime
The late 1960s were a transitional time for American coinage. Just a few years prior, the United States Mint removed silver from dimes and quarters due to a nationwide shortage. By 1968, the Denver Mint was back to full production power, striking millions of “clad” dimes made of a copper-nickel alloy.
If you are trying to figure out if your recent find is worth keeping, using the best coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common spender and a collector’s item. The “D” mint mark on this coin signifies it was struck in Denver, Colorado.
In 1968, the Denver Mint produced exactly 288,104,744 dimes. This massive mintage means that millions of these coins are still floating around in jars and cash registers. Despite the high numbers, the 1968-D remains a staple for people building a complete “Roosevelt” set.
Because these coins were intended for heavy daily use, finding one in perfect, “brand new” condition is actually quite difficult. Most were scratched, dinged, and worn down by vending machines and pockets long ago. This makes the high-grade versions much more valuable than the average circulated coin.
How Grading Impacts 1968-D Roosevelt Dime Value
In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. A 1968-D dime that looks like it just came from the bank is worth significantly more than one that has been sitting in a cup holder for years. Collectors use a numerical scale from 1 to 70 to determine a coin’s grade.
Professional graders look for “luster,” which is the shiny, satin-like surface found on new coins. If your dime is dull or gray, it is likely a circulated grade. However, if it still flashes when you rotate it under a light, it might be an “Uncirculated” or “Mint State” (MS) coin.
You can find a detailed breakdown of the 1968 Roosevelt Dime price guide by grade to see how even a single point on the scale can double the value. For example, a coin graded MS65 is a common collectible, but an MS67 is a rarity that collectors will fight over at auction.
Many casual enthusiasts use CoinHix to get a ballpark idea of their coin’s grade before sending it off to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC. Capturing a clear photo of your dime is the first step in unlocking its hidden value.
| Grade Designation | Visual Description | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Fine (XF45) | Slight wear on high points (hair, torch) | $0.15 |
| Mint State (MS63) | No wear, but many small scratches | $2.50 |
| Gem Mint (MS65) | Strong luster, very few marks | $12.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS67) | Virtually perfect to the naked eye | $50 – $120 |
The “Full Bell Lines” and “Full Torch” Premium
If you flip your 1968-D dime over to the reverse side, you will see a torch flanked by an olive branch and an oak branch. Look closely at the horizontal bands on the top and bottom of the torch. On most dimes, these lines are blurry or merged together because of a weak strike at the mint.
A “Full Band” (FB) or “Full Torch” (FT) dime is one where these horizontal lines are perfectly separated and distinct. This is the “Holy Grail” for Roosevelt dime collectors. Because it was so hard for the machines to strike that level of detail, very few 1968-D dimes survived with full bands.
Finding a 1968-D with Full Bands can transform a $10 coin into a $450 coin. Collectors are always on the hunt for these sharp strikes because they represent the pinnacle of what the mint could produce that year. If you think you see clear lines on your torch, it’s worth taking a high-resolution photo with CoinHix.
To see how much these specific strike types sell for in today’s market, you can check the 1968 dime value and auction records. Often, the difference in price is purely based on how well the torch bands were defined during the minting process.
| Condition + FB Status | Market Value |
|---|---|
| MS65 (No FB) | $10 – $15 |
| MS65 Full Band (FB) | $40 – $60 |
| MS67 Full Band (FB) | $350 – $550 |
Rare 1968-D Roosevelt Dime Errors to Look For
While most 1968-D dimes are common, mint errors can make a single coin worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Errors occur when something goes wrong during the manufacturing process. For the 1968 series, there are several famous mistakes that enthusiasts look for.
One common error is the “Double Die.” This happens when the die used to stamp the coin has a doubled image. On a 1968-D dime, you would look for doubling in the letters of “LIBERTY” or the date. Another exciting error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the coin is only partially stamped, leaving a blank crescent-shaped area.
You should also keep an eye out for “Die Cracks” or “Cuds.” These look like raised blobs of metal on the surface of the coin where the metal die began to break apart. While minor cracks don’t add much value, large or strangely placed ones can be quite profitable.
If you find a coin that looks “weird” or “wrong,” don’t spend it! Even common modern dimes can be worth $20 to $100 if they feature a significant minting error. Using CoinHix can help you identify if that strange mark is a valuable error or just damage from the road.
Is Your 1968-D Dime Silver?
One of the most common questions people ask about 1968 dimes is whether they contain silver. Unfortunately, the answer for Denver-minted 1968 dimes is almost always “no.” The US Mint transitioned to copper-nickel clad composition in 1965.
To tell for sure, look at the edge of the coin. If you see a distinct copper-colored stripe running along the edge (like a sandwich), it is a standard clad dime worth face value in circulated condition. If the edge is solid silver-white with no copper stripe, you might have caught a rare “wrong planchet” error, though these are extremely rare for 1968.
Interestingly, 1968 was the first year since 1964 that the “S” mint mark reappeared on proof coins for collectors, and some of those proof sets were still experimenting with compositions. However, for the “D” marked dimes found in circulation, you are looking at a 75% copper and 25% nickel coating over a pure copper core.
Even though it lacks silver content, the 1968-D Roosevelt Dime value remains stable because of its place in the transitional era of American history. It represents the height of the “space age” and the shift toward the modern economy we recognize today.
| Feature | 1964 and Earlier | 1968-D |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 90% Silver | Copper-Nickel Clad |
| Weight | 2.50 Grams | 2.27 Grams |
| Edge Appearance | Solid Silver | Copper Stripe Visible |
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1968-D dime?
A: On a 1968 Roosevelt dime, the mint mark is located on the obverse (heads side), just above the date. You will see a small “D” for Denver or nothing for Philadelphia. In 1968, some coins also had an “S” for San Francisco, but those were mostly for proof sets.
Q: Why is my 1968-D dime shiny if it’s not silver?
A: The “shiny” appearance comes from the nickel-copper coating. When these coins were first minted, they had a brilliant “luster.” Over time, they become dull. If yours is still very shiny, it might be an uncirculated coin that was tucked away in a piggy bank for decades.
Q: Is a 1968 no mint mark dime rare?
A: No, the “no mint mark” simply means the coin was minted in Philadelphia. Philadelphia minted over 424 million dimes in 1968, making them even more common than the Denver versions. They carry roughly the same value as the 1968-D.
Q: How can I sell my 1968-D Roosevelt dime?
A: If you have a high-grade or error coin, you can sell it through online auction sites, local coin shops, or at coin shows. For common circulated dimes, it is best to simply keep them or spend them, as the shipping costs often exceed the value of the coin itself.
