Expert: Dan Moore - 3/9/2008

Question
I have a dime that is Silver on the face of the coin and copper on the back. It was made in 1996 and it came from the Philadelphia Mint. I talked to a dealer and he told me not to let it go for less than five figures. I am wanting to try and get a second opinion. Have you come across anything like this? If so have any idea of what the value could be? Or could you just point me in the right direction as far as getting it valued and possibly selling it. Thanks!

Answer
Chris,

I dont know what that dealer was smoking, but 5 figures is seriously unrealistic.

Assuming what you have would be defined as an unfinished planchet error, the value of your coin is perhaps $50 -- and that may be a stretch.

Similar errors on state quarters, that have been certified, have been selling in the $300-$400 range, but only because the interest factor is high due to the popularity of the state quarter program.  Roosevelt dimes have no where near the interest factor, so the errors sell for much less.

That said, if you can get good pictures of both sides, you can try selling it on eBay.com or you can try contacting an error coin dealer to get his offer -- try mike@mikebyers.com to see if he has an interest.

Good luck,

Dan