The Roosevelt Dime is a living reflection of how the U.S. Mint decided to completely stop using silver in coins that people use. Every day, and although a 1966 dime looks like an ordinary coin that costs only 10 cents, does not contain expensive metals, and was made in huge quantities, careful inspection by coin experts shows that some of these coins from this year can bring a lot of money to collectors.
But before you view the 1966 dime value on eBay, first study what the price tag depends on.
Historical Background: The Time When Silver Ended
To truly understand how much the 1966 coin is worth, you must look back at what happened in 1965, because from 1946 to 1964 all the dimes that people used had 90% silver inside them, but because the price of silver kept going up, the US government decided to stop using silver in all small coins, and this important decision led to the Coinage Act of 1965.
The Change to Clad Metal
- Metal Parts: The outer layer of the coin is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, while the inside part is made of pure copper
- Total Weight: 2.27 grams
- Size: 17.91 mm.
The Problem of No Mint Mark
1966 was the second year that a coin did not have a small letter indicating where it was made, which is called the mint mark, because the mint decided to do this from 1965 to 1967 to try to prevent people from putting new coins out of use for collecting — they mistakenly thought that this was the case.
This has led to a lack of change in the country and because of this, every 1966 coin, regardless of whether it was issued in Philadelphia or Denver, does not have this mint mark.
The total number of dimes issued in 1966 was really huge: 1,371,905,800, and this huge number explains why almost all of these coins are worth very little.
How to Judge General Strike
Since the 1966 coin does not contain expensive metal, its price depends only on its condition, and if the coin has been used frequently, it costs only ten or twenty-five cents.
But if the coin was not used and was of good quality, like the MS-65, it can cost ten or fifteen dollars, and coins that are almost perfect, like the MS-67, are rare and can cost more than a hundred dollars.
| Condition | Approximate Price |
| Circulated (G-VF) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| AU (Almost Uncirculated) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| MS-60 to MS-64 | $0.75 – $4.00 |
| MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $6.00 – $15.00 |
| MS-66 | $20.00 – $40.00 |
| MS-67 | $40.00 – $200.00+ |
The «Full Bands» Feature
The Full Bands means the three small lines on the bundle of sticks on the back of the coin were hit clearly and completely when the coin was made.
And it is very hard to find 1966 dimes with Full Bands because of the way they were made during this change, so coins that are judged to be MS-67 FB can be worth many hundreds of dollars.
Special Mint Sets from 1966
During the time when they did not make the normal special yearly sets, from 1965 to 1967, the Mint made Special Mint Sets, and the coins in these SMS sets, like the 1966 dime, were made using special machines with more force, and they used better tools and metal pieces — makes them look better than the normal coins.
These SMS coins are judged using a different Specimen grade instead of MS, and the very best SMS dimes from 1966, especially the Deep Cameo ones, can sell for thousands of dollars at auctions.
And records show that the coins in SP-68 and SP-69 DCAM condition are some of the most expensive dimes from that year.
| SMS Grade | Approximate Price (USD) |
| SP-65 | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| SP-67 | $10.00 – $30.00 |
| SP-68 | $100.00 – $300.00 |
| SP-68+ / SP-69 | $500.00 – $2,500.00+ |
The Most Expensive 1966 Dimes: Mistakes in Production
These errors happen when the machines fail or people make mistakes at the Mint, and these make the coin unique and special.
Misplaced Die or «5 on Cheek Error»
This is the most famous mistake for the 1966 dime, because when the tool was in the wrong place, it left a clear mark on President Roosevelt’s left cheek that looks like the number “5” or a strong hit.
And even though coin experts are not sure exactly how this mistake happened, coins that clearly show this problem are wanted by many collectors.
- Price: Depending on how clear the mark is and the coin’s condition, these special coins can cost from $200 up to $2,000+ USD
Doubled Die
The Doubled Die mistake happens when the tool hits the coin more than once when it is being made, and finding a clear doubling of the words like on “LIBERTY” or “IN GOD WE TRUST” instantly makes the coin more valuable.
- Price: Known Doubled Die coins can sell for $50 to $500 depending on how much the words are doubled
Missing Clad Layer
The clad dime has three layers, and sometimes one of the outer nickel-copper layers does not stick to the inner copper part — the coin looks red instead of silver-white and weighs less than the normal 2.27 grams.
- Price: The price changes a lot depending on if one or both sides are missing the layer, and the price is usually between $150 and $1,500+ USD
Clipped Planchet
The machine that cuts the round metal pieces cuts off a small part of the piece by mistake, so the finished coin has a smooth, straight, or round cut on its edge.
- Price: The price is higher when the cut part is bigger and the coin is in better condition, and these Clipped Planchet dimes usually cost between $30 and $150 USD
Off-Center Strike
The machine hits the coin when it is not exactly in the center of the metal piece, and the more the picture is off the center, the higher the price is — so coins that are only 10-20% off-center are easier to find, but coins that are 50% or more off-center.
- Price: The price depends on how far off-center it is, and coins with a big off-center hit can cost from $50 to $400 USD
How to Find and Judge the 1966 Dime
| Coin Type | Condition | Approximate Price (USD) | Description |
| Normal Used Coin | G – XF (in use) | $0.10 – $0.50 | The most common type, its price is the same as its face value |
| Normal New Coin | MS-65 (Gem) | $10.00 – $15.00 | High quality for a used coin, but has no special features |
| Rare New Coin | MS-67 FB (Full Bands) | $200.00 – $800.00+ | The lines on the bundle of sticks are hit clearly |
| Special Set (SMS) | SP-67 (Specimen) | $10.00 – $30.00 | A coin from the SMS set, made with high quality |
| Rare SMS | SP-68 DCAM (Deep Cameo) | $1,000.00 – $4,000.00+ | Amazing condition SMS coin with a very deep, mirror-like shine |
| “5 on Cheek” Error | Used – Almost New | $200.00 – $2,000.00+ | The most well-known mistake from the tool in 1966 |
| Missing Clad Layer Error | Any condition | $150.00 – $1,500.00+ | The coin that shows the copper metal inside |
You must check that the coin is not silver, because silver dimes made before 1964 have a silver edge, but the 1966 clad dimes have a clear copper stripe on the edge.
Look for small problems and to see how well the coin was made, especially the small lines on the bundle of sticks. Look very closely at Roosevelt’s cheek for the “5” mark or any other strange marks, and check the edge for any cut parts or missing metal layers.
If you find a coin that looks very new (MS-65+) or has a clear mistake, it is a good idea to send it to a professional company like Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation to get its grade, as only a professional grade can make sure the coin will sell for a high price at auction.
Conclusion
You can take a screenshot and go to the exhibition, so as not to keep all the information in mind. But in any case, if you set out to create your own collection, you should confidently navigate among different types of tokens from different eras — just keep learning something new and developing the awareness that you can determine the value of a coin just by looking at it.