It depends on the coin's date.1. Philadelphia only started to use the P mint mark on dimes in 1980. Any dime minted in Philadelphia between 1965 and 1979 won't have a mint mark and is only worth ten cents.2. Dimes minted in 1964 and earlier had the mint mark on the back, not the front, but again, Philadelphia didn't use a mint mark. These dimes were 90% silver so they're worth at least $1.40 for their silver value, but may be worth more to a collector.3. The mint mark on dimes dated 1968 and later is abovethe date, not below.
Any circulation dimes 1965 to 1979 without a mint mark are only worth 10 cents. They look just like any other dime in your pocket change except there's no mint mark letter above the date. That means it was struck in Philadelphia. The P mint mark wasn't used on dimes until 1980. not true at all I had one looked at today and there are spacial things surrounding the 68 with no mint mark they offerd me 40,000 for mine
As of 07/2009 retail values are over $15,000 for a 1968 proof set where the dime does not carry a mint mark. That was the first year that proof coins were struck at the San Francisco mint, and one of the die-makers forgot to put the "S" mint mark on a die. Some "S-less" dimes were shipped in proof sets before the error was discovered. Be careful, though. Normal 1968 Philadelphia dimes don't have a mint mark because the P wasn't used on dimes until 1980. A Philadelphia dime can be processed to resemble a proof coin.
1938 is not a rare date for Mercury dimes. In lower grades its value is mostly determined by the silver it contains, about 0.072 troy oz.Look on the back of the coin to see if there's a small mint mark letter next to the E in ONE. It may be blank or there may be a D or S. (The W on the front of the coin is the designer's monogram and not a mint mark; more below)Numismedia lists the following approximate retail values as of 03/2012:With average wear, regardless of mint mark: $4No mint mark (Philadelphia):Almost no wear - $7Uncirculated - $11 to $350 depending on quality"D" mint mark (Denver):Slightly worn - $5Almost no wear - $10Uncirculated - $17 to $225"S" mint mark (San Francisco):Almost no wear - $8Uncirculated - $18 to $690DISCLAIMER: The retail values quoted are the best available as of the date shown, but may vary significantly due to changes in the precious metals market. Also the wholesale (buying) price of a coin will be less than the selling (retail) price. A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation based on inspection of the coin.The W "mint mark"Many people are confused by the W on the front of Mercury dimes. It's the initial of the coin's designer, A. A. Weinman and does NOT stand for the West Point Mint. West Point didn't start striking coins until the 1980s and in any case the mint mark was located on the back side of most US coins prior to 1968.
Dimes dated 1965 and later are worth 10 cents if they came from change. Dimes dated 1964 and earlier are worth at least $1 for the silver they contain but many are worth much more than that as collectibles. You have to know their dates and mint marks though. If you have specific coins to value, please post new questions, one per date and mint mark.
1937 Mercury Dimes were minted at Philadelphia (dimes which have no mint mark), at Denver (dimes which have a D mint mark), at San Francisco (dimes which have a S mint mark). There is no W mint mark on a dime in 1937.MintmarkThe "W" you see on the front of the coin is actually a combined "AW" monogram for the coin's designer, Adolph Weinman. This monogram appears on all Mercury dimes, regardless of where they were minted. Mintmark ContinuedThe mint mark would be located on the reverse side of the dimeLook for the phrase at the bottome " ONE DIME"The mark should be after ONE
The West Point Mint only ever struck dimes in one year - 1996, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt dime. The "W" that appears on Mercury dimes and Walking Liberty halves is not a mint mark. It's the monogram of A. A. Weinman who designed those coins. In fact, the West Point Mint didn't exist at the time those two coins were issued.
To clear things up these coins are normally called Winged Liberty or Mercury dimes, and the W on the front of the coin is the designer's monogram and not a mint mark. Please see the Related Question for more information.
The P mint mark was first used on dimes in 1980. All earlier dimes minted in Philadelphia didn't carry a mint mark. Please check your coin again - the mint mark position is next to the E in ONE on the back.
It's the designers initial. If it was a mintmark it would stand for West Point. The West Point mint didn't make any such coins.
The West Point mint opened in the 1980s and has never struck circulation coins. 1962 dimes were only made at Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (a small D near the base of the torch on the back). At current (08/2008) silver prices either one of these dimes is worth about $1.10.
All Mercury dimes have the mintmark on the reverse and it will not be a "W". The letter you see on the obverse (front) of the coin is the designer's monogram AW for Adolph Weinman.
If your dime was minted in Philadelphia it never had a mint mark, so the mark isn't "gone". Remember, dimes made in Philadelphia before 1980 don't have a "P" mint mark. Please see the Related Question for more information.
Roosevelt dimes dated 1968 and after have the mint mark on the obverse (heads) side, just above the date.
The mint mark position on all Mercury dimes is to the right of the E in the word ONE on the reverse of the coin. (The "W" on the front of the coin is the designer's initial.) No mint mark = Philadelphia D = Denver S = San Francisco There's more information at the Related Question.
No "W" mint mark on a 1923 Dime, it's the designers monogram (A. Weinman) the mint mark is on the reverse to the left of the fasces
On a US coin it's the mint mark of the West Point Mint. Normally West Point only manufactures special collectors' coins such as commemoratives and bullion pieces, but in 1996 it struck Roosevelt dimes for the coin's 50th anniversary. Be careful to distinguish the W mint mark from the same letter on Mercury dimes and Walking Liberty halves. On these coins it's the monogram of their designer, A. A. Weinman. In any case they were struck decades before the West Point Mint was opened.