That Roosevelt dime sitting in your change jar could be hiding a $9,000 secret. While most 1965 dimes are worth exactly ten cents, a tiny fraction were mistakenly struck on leftover silver planchets from pre-1965 production, creating one of the most sought-after transition errors in American coinage. Understanding how to identify these rare specimens—and clearing up confusion about the non-existent “SMS” variety—could turn your pocket change into serious profit.

Why 1965 Dimes Became Error Magnets

The year 1965 marked a pivotal transition in United States coinage. Faced with rising silver prices and hoarding concerns, the U.S. Mint eliminated silver from dimes and quarters, replacing the traditional 90% silver composition with a copper-nickel clad sandwich. This massive production shift involved retooling facilities, training new staff, and clearing out millions of silver planchets from the previous year’s production.

During this chaotic transition period, some leftover 90% silver planchets accidentally made it into 1965 production runs. These blanks should have been completely removed from mint facilities, but human error and the sheer volume of material meant a handful slipped through. The result: genuine 1965 dimes with the metallic composition of their 1964 predecessors but dated 1965.

What makes these errors particularly valuable is their rarity combined with clear authenticity. Unlike some errors that require expert authentication, the wrong planchet error can be verified through simple weight testing and edge examination, making them accessible to collectors at all levels.

The $9,000 Silver Planchet Error Explained

The struck-on-silver-planchet error represents the holy grail of 1965 dime collecting. According to Nationwide Coin & Bullion Reserve, authenticated examples have sold for up to $9,000 at major auctions, though prices typically range from $4,500 to $7,200 depending on condition.

Identifying this error requires checking two specific characteristics. First, examine the coin’s edge carefully. Standard 1965 clad dimes display a distinctive copper-colored stripe running along the edge where the copper core is visible between the nickel layers. A genuine silver planchet error will show a uniform silver-colored edge with no copper stripe whatsoever.

Second, weight provides definitive proof. A standard copper-nickel clad 1965 dime weighs 2.27 grams, while a dime struck on a 90% silver planchet weighs 2.50 grams. This 0.23-gram difference is easily measurable on any decent digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams, which can be purchased for under twenty dollars. If your 1965 dime weighs 2.50 grams and shows no copper edge stripe, you should immediately seek professional authentication.

Heritage Auctions sold a PCGS MS-64 graded example for $6,463 in their January 2023 auction, while a raw (ungraded) specimen confirmed as genuine brought $4,750 at a regional coin show. Even lower-grade examples in About Uncirculated condition have sold for $3,200 to $4,000, according to recent market data from major numismatic dealers.

Standard 1965 Dime Values By Grade

For the vast majority of 1965 dimes struck on correct copper-nickel clad planchets, values remain modest regardless of condition:

The Philadelphia Mint produced 1,652,140,570 dimes in 1965—making it one of the highest mintage years in history. This massive production ensures circulated examples remain common, with rolls of uncirculated specimens available from dealers for $6 to $10 per roll of fifty coins.

High-grade specimens certified MS-67 or better do command premiums, with a PCGS MS-68 example selling for $480 in 2022. However, fewer than a dozen 1965 dimes have been certified at this grade level, making such pieces rare within their context despite the overall high mintage.

The SMS Myth: Why No 1965-S Dimes Exist

Confusion about “1965 SMS” dimes persists in online forums and even some outdated price guides, but this designation represents a fundamental misunderstanding of mint history. The “SMS” acronym stands for Special Mint Set, a program the U.S. Mint operated from 1965 through 1967 as a temporary replacement for proof sets.

However, all SMS dimes from this period were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and bear no mint mark whatsoever. The San Francisco Mint did not produce any dimes for circulation or collectors in 1965. The famous “No S” proof dime errors that command five-figure prices come from 1968, 1970, 1975, and later years when San Francisco was supposed to include the “S” mint mark but accidentally omitted it.

When you see references to “1965 SMS dimes,” the author is simply referring to Special Mint Set examples from Philadelphia—not a missing “S” mint mark error. These SMS coins do show superior strike quality compared to business strikes, with more mirror-like surfaces and sharper details. A 1965 SMS dime in original government packaging typically sells for $3 to $8, with the entire five-coin SMS set from 1965 trading around $15 to $25.

The genuine “No S” proof dime errors that make headlines occurred in 1968 (worth $20,000+), 1970 (worth $450,000+), 1975 (worth $350,000+), and several later dates. These involved proof dies that should have received the “S” mint mark but were mistakenly used without it—a completely different scenario from 1965 production.

Other 1965 Dime Errors Worth Examining

Beyond the silver planchet error, several other 1965 dime varieties attract collector interest, though at significantly lower price points.

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet isn’t properly positioned under the dies during striking, resulting in part of the design missing and a blank crescent visible on the coin. A 10% off-center error typically brings $25 to $45, while dramatic 50% off-center examples with full date visible can reach $200 to $350. Heritage Auctions sold a 65% off-center 1965 dime for $288 in 2021.

Broadstrike errors happen when the retaining collar that shapes the coin’s edge fails to engage properly, allowing the metal to spread beyond normal diameter. These errors create coins that are thinner and wider than standard, often with unusual shapes. Values range from $30 for minor examples to $150 for dramatic specimens showing significant spreading.

Double-die errors on 1965 dimes remain controversial, with no widely recognized major doubled die varieties certified by PCGS or NGC. Minor die doubling on “LIBERTY” or date digits occasionally appears but typically adds only $5 to $15 to a coin’s value. Be extremely cautious of exaggerated claims about doubled dies on this date, as die deterioration doubling (a worthless form of wear) is often misidentified as the valuable hub doubling error.

Clipped planchets show a curved or straight edge missing from the coin where the planchet blank was improperly punched from the metal strip. Small clips affecting 5-10% of the coin sell for $15 to $35, while large clips removing 25% or more can bring $75 to $120 depending on how much of the design remains visible.

Authentication Steps Before Claiming a Find

If you believe you’ve discovered a valuable 1965 dime error, follow these verification steps before investing in professional grading. First, confirm the date is actually 1965—worn 1968 or 1985 dimes are sometimes misread. Use a magnifying glass to examine the date digits clearly under good lighting.

For suspected silver planchet errors, purchase a digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams and weigh the coin multiple times. The weight should consistently measure 2.50 grams, not 2.48 or 2.52 grams. Environmental factors like moisture or residue can affect weight, so gently clean the coin with warm water and dry completely before weighing.

Examine the edge under magnification using at least 10x power. A genuine clad coin will show three distinct layers: outer nickel, copper core, outer nickel. Any visible copper stripe immediately eliminates the silver planchet possibility. Photograph the edge in high resolution with proper lighting to document your findings.

Post clear, well-lit photos to reputable online numismatic forums like CoinTalk or the PCGS Forums before paying for authentication services. Experienced collectors can quickly identify common misidentifications and save you the $30 to $50 cost of professional authentication if the coin proves to be standard clad composition.

If preliminary checks confirm unusual characteristics, submit the coin to PCGS or NGC for authentication and grading. Both services offer specific authentication services for error coins, with pricing starting around $30 for modern coins. An authenticated and graded silver planchet error will be encapsulated with detailed notation of the error type, dramatically increasing its marketability and sale price.

Where to Sell Valuable 1965 Dimes

Once you’ve confirmed a valuable error, choosing the right selling venue maximizes your return. For authenticated silver planchet errors worth thousands, major auction houses like Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, or Great Collections provide the best exposure to serious collectors willing to pay premium prices. These firms typically charge 10-20% seller fees but achieve the highest realized prices for significant rarities.

Online platforms like eBay work well for mid-range errors valued between $100 and $1,000, though you’ll need clear photos and detailed descriptions to achieve fair market value. Completed auction listings show that properly described and photographed 1965 off-center strikes and broadstrikes regularly sell within 80-95% of guidebook values on this platform.

Local coin dealers offer immediate payment but typically pay wholesale prices ranging from 60% to 75% of retail value. This option makes sense when you need quick cash or want to avoid shipping risks and online selling hassles. Call multiple dealers in your area to compare offers, as prices can vary significantly based on each dealer’s current inventory and customer demand.

For high-value specimens, consider getting multiple appraisals before committing to any sale. The difference between a rushed sale to a local dealer and a properly marketed auction offering could mean thousands of dollars on a genuine silver planchet error. Major auction houses provide free preliminary evaluations based on photographs, helping you understand realistic value expectations before consigning coins for sale.

Start Searching Your Spare Change Today

The 1965 Roosevelt dime represents an accessible entry point into error coin collecting, combining massive original mintages with the tantalizing possibility of discovering a five-figure rarity. While finding a genuine silver planchet error remains a long shot—estimates suggest fewer than fifty exist across all grades—the simple verification process means you can confidently check every 1965 dime that passes through your hands. Purchase that inexpensive digital scale, spend a few evenings examining your pocket change, and you might just discover that one transitional error that escaped mint quality control nearly sixty years ago. Even if you never find the $9,000 treasure, understanding the history behind America’s coinage transition adds depth to every dime you encounter.