Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 12/9/2024: Gold $2645 | Silver $31.20
1938 Dime Value
1938 dime value starts with the value of its silver content, and because it's a collectible, rises to approximately $2.28 today.
You can separate the minimum value silver dimes from the higher priced ones by checking the presence of "mintmarks" and judging the "condition" of your Mercury head dimes.
Separate values are placed on 1938 dimes depending on the mint producing the coin. Three locations, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco struck dimes and mintmarks found on the reverse identify each.
Your old silver dimes are worth a premium if determined in better than average condition. Collectors and dealers follow a process know as "grading" as they evaluate the condition of coins. With most Mercury dimes surviving today in worn, circulated condition, a well preserved coin is the exception.
Pictured is an "Uncirculated" 1938 dime worth $9.90 or more because of it rare condition and is an ideal addition to any dime collection.
Listings on the value chart are separated by condition and dimes are further identified by the mint striking the coin.
Of the three mints producing 1938 dimes the San Francisco mint placed an "S" mintmark on coins and Denver a "D" to indicate mint of origin. Find the mintmark on the reverse at the bottom next to the rim. Philadelphia the main mint did not use a mintmark in those years.
| 1938 Dime Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1938 Dime Value Updated | 12/9/2024 | |||
| 1938 | $2.28 | $2.45 | $2.75 | $9.90 |
| 1938 D | $2.28 | $2.45 | $3.26 | $24 |
| 1938 S | $2.28 | $2.45 | $2.75 | $24 |
Highlight 1938 Dime Value
Selling at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction was a highly reflective and bright rare 1938 Mercury dime. Minted in San Francisco and obliviously placed quickly into a collection at the time it sold recently for a final price of $327.
Several bidders were interested in owning a coin in such a rare state of preservation. Barely a nick or bruise from contact with other coins, a deep strike and intense luster is a combination adding to the value of this 1938 Mercury head dime.
Careful handling and likely stored in a dry environment, a fortunate coin is available to enjoy today. Surviving numbers of gem quality coins is always low and often not enough to meet the demand of collectors.
Condition Drives 1938 Dime Value Higher
In their search for the right Mercury dime to add to their collection, collectors judge the condition of each coin, know in the hobby as "grading." Different stages and amounts of wear are separated and given a grade. Judge the quality of your coins, comparing them to the images and descriptions, giving an accurate value of your 1938 dime according to its condition.
Uncirculated: A very sought after dime, noted for never circulating and not receiving any wear, the coin has remained in brand new condition as the day it left the mint. Both beginning and selective collectors strive to advance their collections into coins of this grade. Inspect the high points of the design to confirm no wear has occurred. If the coin has circulated, wear starts to appear as a dulling of the luster on Liberty's cheek, curls of hair near the ear and the center portion of the wing.
Extremely Fine: Of interest to collectors are many Mercury dimes in Extremely Fine condition. The slight even wear leaves the majority of the design crisp and sharp. Liberty's hair above the eye is evidently worn but just slightly, wing details are beginning to show some smoothness.
Fine: The design in the center of the coin has worn smooth with just a slight separation of the hair and wing design. Liberty's forehead and hair curls are no longer separated and the majority of the feathers have leveled into one. On the reverse the once distinct bundle of rods is now worn with few vertical lines remaining.
Good: Heavy wear has removed most of the design, leaving only Liberty's portrait in outline. Protection once afforded by the rim is now blending with the lettering. The central device on the reverse "fasces" is worn smooth, again the rim is worn significantly into the lettering. Worn almost smooth these dimes are at the low end of 1938 dime value.
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Mercury Dime Values
1916 to 1945
Values listed for the entire Mercury head dime series including more on the 1938 dime value. Rare and valuable dates are scattered through out the series contributing to a large spread in Mercury dime values. Additionally, the condition of your old dime plays a key role in today's rare coin values.
One of the most popular and widely collected coins today. Spanning over two hundred years of US dime production with rare coin values listed for literally hundreds of date and mintmark combinations. Examine closely these small potential treasures.
★Coin Values Discovery... finds 1938 dime value and...
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Awaiting discovery are potentially high value rarities in the US dime series as well as some other possible finds in your box of old coins. Visit... Finding Rare Dimes...