The 1970 Roosevelt Dime with no mint mark is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.10 in worn condition to over $350 in high-grade mint state. While most of these coins found in pocket change are common, certain rare errors and high-quality specimens can be surprisingly valuable to collectors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS60-MS63) | $1.00 – $5.00 |
| Choice Mint State (MS65+) | $15.00 – $45.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS67 Full Bands) | $350.00+ |
| Rare No ‘S’ Proof Error | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
Understanding the 1970 Roosevelt Dime No Mint Mark
If you have a 1970 dime and notice there is no small letter “P” or “D” on it, don’t panic. In 1970, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 345 million dimes, and none of them carried a mint mark. This was standard practice at the time. To identify your find quickly, many enthusiasts use the best coin identifier app to distinguish between common Philadelphia strikes and rare proof errors.
Because so many were made for general circulation, a typical 1970 dime you find in your spare change is usually only worth its face value. However, the story changes for coins in “Mint State” condition. Collectors look for coins that never entered circulation, retaining their original luster and crisp details.
When evaluating your collection, using a professional tool like CoinHix can help you spot the subtle differences between a “spender” and a “keeper.”
1970 Dime Value Chart and Grading Tiers
The value of a 1970 Roosevelt dime is strictly determined by its grade. In the world of numismatics, we use a 70-point scale. A coin graded MS60 is “Uncirculated,” while a coin graded MS67 is nearly perfect. For those checking their pockets, knowing the 1970 Roosevelt dime market prices in mint state is essential before selling.
| Grade | Designation | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Uncirculated | $2 – $4 |
| MS65 | Gem Uncirculated | $12 – $20 |
| MS66 | Choice Gem | $35 – $60 |
| MS67 | Superb Gem | $150 – $450 |
Most coins found elsewhere will fall into the “Circulated” category. Unless the coin looks like it was just struck today, it likely won’t fetch a premium price. If you are unsure, the CoinHix app provides instant visual comparisons to help you grade your coins at home.
The Rare 1970 No ‘S’ Proof Dime Error
While the standard Philadelphia 1970 dime with no mint mark is common, there is one “No Mint Mark” dime from 1970 that is worth a fortune. This is the 1970 No ‘S’ Proof Dime. Proof coins are specially made for collectors and are usually struck at the San Francisco Mint, carrying an ‘S’ mint mark.
However, a mistake occurred where a small number of proof dies were sent from Philadelphia to San Francisco without the ‘S’ mint mark. These coins were then accidentally struck and included in 1970 Proof Sets. If you find a 1970 dime that is exceptionally shiny (mirror-like) and has no mint mark, you might have found a rarity worth over $1,000.
You can verify the latest 1970 Roosevelt dime error values to see how much these rare strikes have sold for at auction recently. This error is one of the “Holy Grails” of modern Roosevelt dime collecting.
Full Bands (FB) Designation and Its Impact
For serious collectors, the “Full Bands” (FB) designation is the gold standard for Roosevelt dimes. This refers to the horizontal lines on the torch on the reverse of the coin. If these lines are clearly separated and not blended together, the coin is much more valuable.
A 1970 Philadelphia dime is notoriously difficult to find with Full Bands because the dies were often worn down during production. A dime that grades MS67 with Full Bands can easily sell for double or triple the price of a standard MS67 without those clear lines.
Checking for Full Bands requires a magnifying glass or a high-resolution scan. Using CoinHix can help you zoom in on these tiny details to see if your coin qualifies for this lucrative designation.
1970-D and 1970-S Dime Variations
While this guide focuses on the “No Mint Mark” version (Philadelphia strike), it’s important to know about its siblings from Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). The Denver Mint produced 545,630,240 dimes in 1970, which is even more than Philadelphia.
| Mint Mark | Mintage | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| None (Philadelphia) | 345,570,000 | Common |
| D (Denver) | 545,630,240 | Common |
| S (Proof) | 2,632,810 | Collector Only |
The “S” mint mark is found only on Proof coins intended for collectors. If you see an ‘S’ on your 1970 dime, it was likely broken out of a plastic Proof Set and spent like regular money. While cool to find, it is generally worth about $1-$2 if it has been circulated.
How to Spot the 1970 Dime Worth Money
If you’re hunting through rolls of dimes, look for coins that still look “white” or silver-colored, even though these are made of copper-nickel cladding. Any coin with a “No ‘S'” proof appearance—meaning a mirror-like finish but no letter above the date—should be handled with extreme care.
Don’t clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or a cloth ruins its numismatic value. If you suspect you have a high-grade 1970 dime, place it in a cardboard flip or a small plastic baggie.
Professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC is usually only worth the cost if the coin is in perfect condition or is a confirmed error. For a quick estimate, a 1970 Roosevelt dime in your pocket is a piece of history, but a 1970 dime in a vault might be a small fortune.
FAQ
Q: Is a 1970 dime made of silver?
A: No. The U.S. Mint stopped using silver for dimes after 1964. The 1970 dime is made of a “clad” composition: 75% copper and 25% nickel. If you find one that looks silver, it is likely just well-preserved or plated.
Q: Why does my 1970 dime have no mint mark?
A: Dimes minted in Philadelphia in 1970 did not feature a mint mark. This is normal for the era and does not make the coin rare by itself. Only the “Proof” version without a mint mark is a rare error.
Q: How can I tell if my 1970 dime is a Proof?
A: Proof coins have a mirror-like background (fields) and very sharp, frosted details. They were also struck twice, making the design “pop” more than a standard coin. If it looks like a mirror, check for the missing ‘S’ mint mark!
Q: What is the most expensive 1970 dime ever sold?
A: A 1970 “No S” Proof dime graded PR69 by PCGS once sold for over $3,000 at auction. High-grade MS67 Philadelphia strikes with Full Bands have also sold for several hundred dollars.
