Price Guide for 1938 Dime Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00Uncirculated: $17.00 – $14,375.00
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eBayUncirculated: $10.50 – $5,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $25.00 – $14,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12.25 – $57.00Uncirculated: $20.00 – $1,783.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.01 – $55.55Uncirculated: $19.51 – $249.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $22.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $1,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $23.00 – $364,250.00
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eBayUncirculated: $23.50 – $1,424.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $10,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $40.00Uncirculated: $16.00 – $776.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.50 – $390.00Uncirculated: $9.77 – $700.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $27.00Uncirculated: $30.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14.00 – $5,635.00
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eBayCirculated: $23.50Uncirculated: $16.50 – $4,227.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $11.00Uncirculated: $14.00 – $1,150.00
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eBayCirculated: $4.25 – $32.00Uncirculated: $1.00 – $500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $13.00Uncirculated: $16.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $100.00 – $224.00Uncirculated: $92.00 – $32,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $300.00Uncirculated: $21.00 – $1,690.70
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $67.00 – $120.00Uncirculated: $155.00 – $48,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1938 Dime
The 1938 Mercury Dime is part of the Mercury Dime series, which was minted from 1916 to 1945. Despite its popular name, the coin doesn’t actually depict Mercury, but rather a young Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought.
1938 was a year of economic recovery following the Great Depression, and these dimes played a crucial role in everyday commerce.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Winged Liberty Head (Mercury), designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
| Reverse Design | Fasces with an olive branch, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of a 1938 Mercury Dime significantly impacts its value. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are highly sought after by collectors, with premium prices for those grading MS65 or higher.
Full Split Bands (FSB) on the reverse is a crucial factor. Dimes with clear, fully separated bands on the fasces command higher prices, especially in mint state grades.
Mintage: 22,190,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Relatively common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for gem-quality specimens
Mintage: 5,537,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above, rare in MS67+
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High, especially for high-grade examples
Mintage: 8,090,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above, rare in MS67+
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High for well-preserved specimens
Luster and toning play important roles in determining a coin’s desirability. Original mint luster is highly prized, while attractive, natural toning can also increase value.
Strike quality is another crucial factor. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Liberty’s hair and the reverse fasces, are more valuable.
While not particularly rare, 1938-D and 1938-S dimes in high grades are more challenging to find than their Philadelphia counterparts, potentially commanding higher premiums in the collector market.
