As a sport, collecting coins can be fun, and even small coins like dimes and quarters can be very valuable. Many rare coins are worth millions of dollars because they were made in small numbers or because of mistakes made when they were minted.
It’s possible to find a rare dime or a rare Bicentennial quarter, which would be worth $19 million. People who aren’t familiar with these coins may think they look normal, but fans and investors are very interested in certain types.
There are still some very rare dimes and a very rare Bicentennial quarter in circulation. Each is worth a huge $19 million.
1. The 1916-D Mercury Dime
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the most sought-after and expensive coins in circulation right now. These coins were made in Denver, but very few were made, so they are very hard to find. The 1916-D Mercury Dime has the famous design by Adolph A. Weinman.
On the front, Lady Liberty wears a cap with wings, and on the back, she has a fasces, which is a bundle of rods with an axe. The 1916-D is very valuable to fans because it was only made in small numbers and has historical value.
There are a lot of 1916-D Mercury Dimes that aren’t in great shape, but the few that are can be worth as much as $19 million. This coin is so rare and important to the history of U.S. coins that it should be at the top of any serious coin collector’s list.
But it’s almost impossible to find one in circulation because they are so rare and most of them have already been bought by buyers and kept in private collections.
2. The 1942/1 Mercury Dime
Another very rare dime that can fetch up to $19 million is the 1942/1 Mercury Dime. Somehow, the mint used a die from 1941 to make the 1942 coins, which is why this coin has a unique overdate mistake.
So, you can see the “1” from the 1941 die under the “2” of the 1942 date. Because of this mistake, the 1942/1 Mercury Dime is one of the most sought-after coins in the world.
Because of a mistake in the production process, these coins are very rare and were only made in very small numbers. Most examples of the 1942/1 Mercury Dime are kept in private collections.
However, if one were to come up for sale today, it would probably fetch $19 million, based on how good it is. This coin is one of the most expensive dimes on the market because it is hard to find and has an interesting history.
3. The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter (Silver Variety)
Another coin that could be worth up to $19 million is the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, which was made to honor the 200th anniversary of the United States’ freedom.
Most of the 1976 Bicentennial Quarters were made of copper-nickel, but a few were made accidentally in 40% silver, which makes them very expensive.
Due to the small number that were made, these silver Bicentennial Quarters are considered rare. They were only available in certain mint sets.
At first look, it’s hard to tell the silver 1976 Bicentennial Quarters from the regular copper-nickel ones. But their value comes from the silver inside and the fact that they are hard to find.
One of these very rare silver quarters in perfect condition can fetch as much as $19 million, especially if it turns out to be a mint error or was only made in small amounts.
Like finding a rare dime, a silver Bicentennial Quarter in circulation is very uncommon. If you do happen to find one, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime find.
| Coin Name | Year | Value (approx.) | Rarity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | 1916 | $19 million | Extremely rare | Minted in Denver, low production |
| 1942/1 Mercury Dime | 1942 | $19 million | Unique overdate error | Overdate error (1 over 2) |
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | $19 million | Rare silver variety | Produced in 40% silver by mistake |
How do I identify a rare 1916-D Mercury Dime?
The mintmark on the 1916-D Mercury Dime can be found on the back of the coin, close to the bottom. It will have a “D” for Denver on it to show that it was made there.
On the front, Lady Liberty is shown wearing a cap with wings, and on the back, a fasces with an olive branch is shown. Check the coin’s condition carefully, because coins in good to excellent shape are worth a lot more.
What makes the 1942/1 Mercury Dime so valuable?
The 1942/1 Mercury Dime is valuable because the mint made a mistake and struck the 1942 dimes with a die from the previous year, 1941. This makes the “1” under the “2” of the 1942 date stand out. Collectors really want this coin because it is so rare, has historical value, and has a unique flaw.
Are the 1976 Bicentennial Quarters worth the same amount?
It’s not true that every 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is worth $19 million. That’s all these coins are worth: their face value. Most of them were made of copper-nickel.
The 40% silver variety, on the other hand, was made in small numbers by mistake and can be worth up to $19 million, based on how good it is and how rare it is.
How can I sell a rare coin for $19 million?
You would need to have a professional numismatist or coin grade service value a rare coin like the 1916-D Mercury Dime or the 1942/1 Mercury Dime before you could sell it.
After being checked out and given a grade, you can sell it at an auction, to a reliable coin dealer, or through an online numismatic market. To make sure you get the most money for the coin, make sure you get all the necessary paperwork.