1942 Dime Value
A worn 1942 dime is worth about $4.33, the value of the silver in it.
Uncirculated ones bring $9–24, and a certified MS65 brings $35–70.
Keep it or sell it for its silver. A coin dealer or bullion buyer will pay close to melt value.
Value by mint mark
| Coin | Made | Worn | Uncirculated | MS65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942-D | 60,740,000 | $4.33 | $9–24 | $35–70 |
| 1942 (no mint mark) | 205,410,000 | $4.33 | $9–24 | $35–70 |
| 1942-S | 49,300,000 | $4.33 | $9–24 | $35–70 |
Worn means a coin with normal wear from circulation. Uncirculated means no wear at all (MS60 to MS63). MS65 is a certified, near-flawless coin. Prices tied to silver update with the live silver price.
Find the mint mark
Back of the coin, lower left, beside the base of the bundle of rods (fasces). Philadelphia coins have no letter.
What it's made of
- 90% silver, 10% copper, 2.5 grams, 0.07234 troy oz of silver, worth $4.33 today
Varieties and errors to check
1942/1 overdate
Look for: A 1 visible under the final 2 of the date.
A key variety of the Mercury dime series, worth hundreds of dollars or more.
Typical value: $400–1,000
1942/1-D overdate
Look for: Same overdate with a D on the back.
Slightly scarcer than the Philadelphia overdate, mostly in uncirculated grades; also worth hundreds of dollars or more.
Typical value: $400–900
Condition matters
Collectors pay extra when the horizontal bands on the bundle of rods on the back are fully separated (called Full Bands).
Mintage
| Coin | Type | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1942-D | For circulation | 60,740,000 |
| 1942 (no mint mark) | For circulation | 205,410,000 |
| 1942-S | For circulation | 49,300,000 |
| 1942 (no mint mark) | Proof (collector) — silver | 22,329 |
Questions
Is a 1942 dime silver?
Yes. Every 1942 dime made for circulation contains 0.07234 troy ounces of silver. Its silver value moves with the silver price; the live figure is shown at the top of this page.
Which 1942 dime is worth the most?
Among regular coins, the 1942-D is worth the most, about $35–70 in MS65. The 1942/1 overdate is the one to look for: typical examples sell for $400–1,000.
Where is the mint mark on a 1942 dime?
Back of the coin, lower left, beside the base of the bundle of rods (fasces). Philadelphia coins have no letter.
Check real sales
Recent sold listings show what coins in your condition actually bring: see sold 1942 dimes on eBay.
Other coins from 1942: 1942 penny, 1942 half dollar, 1942 nickel, 1942 quarter.
More Mercury dimes: all years and mintages.
Values checked October 7, 2026 against several public price guides and auction results. How values work.