1987-S Roosevelt Dime Value: Worth More Than Ten Cents?

The 1987-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $3 in typical proof condition to over $50 for high-grade specimens. While you won’t retire on the profits from a single 1987-S dime, these shiny, mirror-like coins are a fascinating piece of modern numismatic history that many Americans discover in old family collections or safe deposit boxes.

Why the 1987-S Roosevelt Dime is Unique

If you find a dime dated 1987 with an “S” mint mark, you have found a coin intended specifically for collectors. Unlike the dimes minted in Philadelphia (P) or Denver (D) that circulate in our daily change, the “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. By 1987, the San Francisco facility focused primarily on producing “Proof” coinage. These coins are struck twice using specially polished dies and planchets (coin blanks) to create a sharp, high-relief image and a mirrored background.

When you look at a 1987-S Roosevelt Dime, the first thing you will notice is the “Deep Cameo” effect. This is where the portrait of FDR appears frosted and white, while the surrounding field of the coin looks like a black mirror. If you aren’t sure if your coin is a proof or just a very shiny business strike, you can use a free coin identifier app to get an instant verification of its type and rarity.

The mintage for the 1987-S was roughly 4.2 million sets. While that sounds like a lot, it is a tiny fraction of the hundreds of millions produced for circulation that year. Because these were sold in protective plastic sets, most have survived in excellent condition. However, finding a “Perfect 70” graded coin is still a challenge for many collectors, making top-tier specimens quite desirable in the hobbyist market.

Understanding the 1987 Proof Set Marketplace

To understand the 1987-S Roosevelt Dime value, we must look at how it was originally sold. In 1987, the U.S. Mint sold these dimes as part of a 5-coin Proof Set, which also included the penny, nickel, quarter, and half dollar. Because these sets were ubiquitous in the 1980s, many individual dimes have been “broken out” of their original packaging over the years. This often happens when a collector wants to have a specific coin professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC.

When an individual 1987-S dime is sold by itself, its value depends heavily on its visual appeal. If the mirrored surfaces have scratches or cloudy patches (known as “haze”), the value drops to just a few dollars. If you are trying to determine if your coin is worth sending in for professional grading, the CoinKnow app can help you compare high-resolution photos of your coin against known high-grade examples.

Evaluating the 1987 dime value requires looking at the technical details. Most 1987-S dimes are “Deep Cameo” (DCAM). If the frost on the portrait isn’t thick enough, it might just be a “Cameo,” which is actually rarer for this specific year but often less visually appealing to modern collectors. Collectors generally prefer the stark contrast of the Deep Cameo finish.

Grading and the Pursuit of the PR70

In the world of coin collecting, “Condition is King.” A 1987-S Roosevelt Dime is graded on a 70-point scale. A PR69 (Proof 69) is nearly perfect but might have one tiny microscopic flaw. A PR70 is absolute perfection. The price difference between these two grades is significant. While a PR69 might sell for $15, a PR70 can fetch $100 or more at auction because registry set collectors compete to own the highest-rated coins possible.

If you believe your coin is a candidate for a perfect grade, you should handle it only by the edges. Even the oils from your skin can leave permanent fingerprints on the mirrored surface of a 1987-S dime, which will instantly lower its grade and value. Using the CoinKnow app allows you to document the coin’s condition digitally before you handle it further.

It’s also worth noting the differences between the S-mint and its siblings from Philly and Denver. For instance, the 1987-P Roosevelt Dime value is usually lower for circulated coins, but high-grade “Full Band” examples from the business strikes can actually be more valuable than the proof version because they are much harder to find in pristine condition.

Common Errors on 1987 Dimes to Watch For

While the San Francisco Mint has very high quality control standards, errors can still happen. The most common “error” people look for on 1987-S dimes is actually a variety: doubled dies. A doubled die occurs when the coin hub imprints the image onto the die twice at slightly different angles. Look closely at the lettering in “IN GOD WE TRUST” or the date “1987.” If you see clear overlapping lines, you might have a valuable discovery.

Another thing to look for is “Strike Through” errors. This happens when a piece of debris, like a thread or a glob of grease, gets between the die and the coin during striking. This leaves an indented impression on the surface. While these aren’t as common on proofs as they are on regular circulation dimes, they can add a premium to the 1987-S Roosevelt Dime value for people who specialize in error coins.

Keep in mind that many things that look like errors are actually just “post-mint damage.” If the coin was spent at a grocery store and scraped against other coins, those scratches are not errors. A true error occurs during the manufacturing process at the Mint. If you find something that looks odd, CoinKnow can be a great resource for identifying whether it’s a known error or just a damaged coin.

Does the 1987-S Dime Contain Silver?

A common question many beginners have is whether their 1987-S dime is made of silver. Unfortunately, the answer for this specific year is no. The United States Mint stopped using 90% silver for standard dimes and quarters in 1964. From 1965 to the present, dimes are made of a “clad” composition—a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

You can verify this by looking at the edge of the coin. If you see a strip of orange or brown (copper), it is a clad coin. While the U.S. Mint did eventually start producing silver proof sets again in 1992, the 1987-S Roosevelt Dime is strictly a clad coin. Its value comes from its collector status and condition, not its metal content.

Even though it lacks silver, it is still a precious item for many collectors who are trying to complete a “Roosevelt Dime Folder.” Because the 1987-S was never released into circulation, finding one in your pocket change is extremely rare. If you do find one in the wild, it’s what collectors call a “circulated proof,” and it is worth much less than one still in its original packaging—though it’s still a cool find!

How to Sell and Store Your 1987-S Roosevelt Dime

If you’ve determined that your 1987-S Roosevelt Dime is a high-grade specimen or has a unique error, you might be thinking about selling it. The best places to sell modern proofs are typically online marketplaces like eBay or specialized coin forums. Local coin shops will buy them, but because their profit margins on low-value items are slim, they might only offer you a dollar or two for a coin that retails for five.

To preserve the 1987-S Roosevelt Dime value, storage is key. Never clean your coins! Cleaning a proof coin with a cloth or chemicals will create tiny scratches known as “hairlines” that significantly reduce the grade. Instead, place the coin in a PVC-free plastic “flip” or a cardboard 2×2 holder. This prevents the mirrored surfaces from oxidizing or getting scratched by other objects. By keeping it protected, you ensure that as the supply of high-grade 1987-S dimes slowly decreases over time, your coin remains a top-tier example of 1980s American minting.

FAQ

Q: Can I find a 1987-S dime in my spare change?

A: It is very rare. Since these were only sold in proof sets to collectors, the only way one enters circulation is if someone breaks open a set and spends the coins. If you find one, the “S” mint mark is the giveaway.

Q: Is there a 1987 “No S” dime like the famous 1968 or 1983 versions?

A: No, there are no confirmed “No S” proof dimes for the year 1987. All proof dimes from the San Francisco Mint in 1987 properly received their mint mark. If you find a 1987 dime without a mint mark, it was minted in Philadelphia for regular circulation.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1987-S Roosevelt Dime?

A: High-grade PR70 Deep Cameo examples have sold for over $200 in the past at major auctions, though the average price for a PR70 is usually between $50 and $100 depending on the current market demand.

Q: Is the 1987-S dime better than the 1987-P or 1987-D?

A: It is “better” in terms of strike quality and beauty, as it is a proof coin. However, in terms of rarity, a 1987-P or 1987-D in a “Mint State 67” or higher condition can actually be more valuable because it is much harder to find a perfect coin intended for circulation.