A 1945 Philadelphia Mercury dime in MS67+FB sold for $96,000 at Heritage Auctions in January 2018 — yet most 1945 dimes are worth just $3–$10 in circulated condition. The difference comes down to three letters: F·B. Use the free calculator below to find where your coin falls.
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Check My 1945 Dime Value →Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any known errors. The estimate below reflects current market data based on PCGS auction records and dealer pricing.
If you're not yet sure of your coin's mint mark or condition, there's a 1945 Mercury Dime Coin Value Checker online tool that lets you upload photos of your coin and get an AI-assisted identification before using the calculator above.
The Full Bands (FB) designation is the single biggest value driver on 1945 Mercury dimes. Only Philadelphia issues — not Denver or San Francisco — are considered extreme rarities with FB. Use this checker to assess whether your coin might qualify.
The two central horizontal bands on the reverse fasces appear flat, merged, or only partially separated. This describes the vast majority of 1945 Philadelphia dimes — even in gem uncirculated grades. Value is driven mainly by silver melt and grade.
Both central horizontal bands are fully separated with a clear, continuous gap visible under a 10× loupe. The bands appear three-dimensional and raised. Only about 1.26% of PCGS-graded 1945 Philadelphia dimes receive the FB designation. In MS67+FB, the record is $96,000 (Heritage Auctions, January 2018).
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The 1945 Mercury dime was produced in enormous wartime quantities at three mints, and the rushed production environment — combined with the U.S. Mint's simultaneous production of foreign coins — created a range of fascinating errors and varieties. The five documented varieties below represent the most collectible and well-attributed examples, from the famous Micro S to rare struck-on-wrong-planchet errors confirmed by Heritage Auctions sales records.
The 1945-S Micro S is one of the best-known variety coins in all of American numismatics. During World War II, the U.S. Mint was simultaneously producing coins for the Philippines and other Allied nations, and mintmark punches intended for smaller-format foreign coins were inadvertently used on domestic Mercury dime dies, producing an 'S' mintmark dramatically smaller than the standard issue.
Visually, the Micro S is unmistakable to anyone using a 5× loupe: the 'S' mintmark on the reverse (located to the left of the fasces, above the olive branch) is noticeably thinner and shorter than the bold, rounded 'S' on standard 1945-S dimes. The designation is catalogued as FS-512 by CONECA. According to PCGS population data, approximately one-third of all 1945-S dimes submitted to the service are Micro S specimens.
Collector demand for this variety remains strong at every grade level. In circulated grades (Good through VF), Micro S examples trade for modest premiums — typically $15–$40 — over the standard 1945-S. In uncirculated Mint State grades the premiums widen, and in gem Full Bands grades values escalate dramatically. Greysheet data shows MS FB examples ranging from $155 to $26,000 depending on strike quality and grade.
The 1945 Philadelphia Full Bands is arguably the single most dramatic condition rarity in the entire Mercury dime series. By 1945, the master hub used to produce Philadelphia Mint dies had deteriorated severely from years of intensive wartime production. The worn hub could no longer transfer sufficient detail to new dies, meaning the central horizontal bands on the fasces were almost never struck up with enough pressure to fully separate them — even on gems fresh from the mint.
To earn the Full Bands designation from PCGS or NGC, both central horizontal bands on the reverse fasces must be completely separated by a visible, continuous gap. Under magnification, this gap should be sharp and three-dimensional, not soft or partially merging. A mere 1.26% of all Philadelphia 1945 dimes graded by PCGS achieve the FB designation — a striking contrast to the Denver issues from the same year, where FB is relatively common.
The auction record stands at $96,000 for a PCGS MS67+FB CAC example sold by Heritage Auctions in January 2018. A second MS67+FB example sold for $90,000 at DLRC in June 2019. In MS66FB, examples have sold for $26,000 (DLRC, April 2024). Even in MS65FB, values consistently reach $1,450 or more. Greysheet lists the full spectrum from $5,000 to $72,000 for MS FB examples.
During World War II the U.S. Mint was simultaneously producing coins for Allied nations including Venezuela and the Netherlands East Indies. Wrong-planchet errors on 1945 Mercury dimes occurred when a foreign-nation coin blank accidentally entered the domestic dime production line and was struck with Mercury dime dies. The resulting coin carries the Mercury dime design on metal of the wrong alloy, weight, or diameter.
These errors are visually dramatic and immediately obvious. A 1945 dime struck on a Venezuela 1/4 bolivar planchet is slightly smaller than a normal dime and displays a visibly different silver alloy; parts of Liberty's legend may be truncated or shifted. An example struck on a Netherlands East Indies 10-cent blank shows partial legends with words like 'Liberty' and 'America' cut off at the edges. Both pieces retain enough design detail to confirm their Mercury dime dies origin.
Wrong-planchet errors are the rarest documented category for 1945 Mercury dimes, with only a handful of confirmed examples in major auction archives. Each auction appearance becomes a significant event. The collector premium reflects both the extreme rarity and the historical narrative of wartime mint operations producing coins for multiple nations simultaneously.
Off-center strike errors occur when the coin planchet is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking. Instead of an evenly centered design, the image is pushed off to one side, leaving a crescent-shaped area of blank, unstruck planchet on the opposite edge. The percentage of misalignment directly impacts collector value: a 5% off-center coin adds modest premium, while a 50% off-center specimen — where roughly half the design is missing — can command dramatic prices.
On a 1945 Mercury dime, the most visually compelling off-center strikes are those severe enough to partially eliminate the date while preserving enough of Liberty's portrait and the reverse fasces to confirm the coin's identity. Examples with Full Bands on a well-preserved off-center reverse are the most prized, combining two premium attributes in one coin. The visual impact of these errors — a coin dramatically off-balance — makes them immediately striking to both specialists and general collectors.
Heritage Auctions has recorded numerous confirmed 1945 Mercury dime off-center sales, providing a clear benchmark pricing ladder. Value escalates sharply with the degree of off-center shift, the coin's overall grade, and the presence of Full Bands on the reverse. A large percentage off-center combined with FB designation is among the rarest combinations in the series.
A broadstruck error occurs when the retaining collar — the steel ring that normally encircles the planchet during striking to control the coin's diameter and produce its reeded edge — fails to engage or is absent. Without this containment, the metal flows outward under striking pressure, producing a coin with an unusually large diameter, a flat and often extra-wide rim, a missing or distorted reeded edge, and design elements that appear spread toward the coin's periphery.
On 1945 Mercury dimes, broadstruck errors range from mild examples where the diameter is only slightly expanded, to dramatic specimens where the rim is flat and the design is visibly distorted near the edges. The obverse portrait of Liberty and the reverse fasces may show a slightly squashed or spread-out appearance. Broadstruck errors that also carry the Full Bands designation are exceptionally rare and valuable, since the strike that failed to engage the collar must have been forceful enough to still fully separate the bands.
Heritage Auctions records confirm a wide price spectrum for 1945 broadstruck dimes depending on condition and FB status. The most dramatic confirmed sale is an MS65FB broadstruck example — combining broadstrike with Full Bands — which sold for $4,560 in 2018, demonstrating how two premium attributes compound in value. Standard broadstruck examples in MS64 without FB trade in the $360 range, making them accessible entry points for error coin collectors.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | % of Total | Survival Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 159,130,000 | 66.0% | Most common; extreme rarity with Full Bands (only ~1.26% of PCGS submissions qualify) |
| Denver | D | 40,245,000 | 16.7% | Lowest mintage of the three; Full Bands relatively common compared to Philadelphia |
| San Francisco | S | 41,920,000 | 17.4% | Includes the Micro S variety (FS-512); ~1/3 of PCGS-submitted 1945-S dimes are Micro S |
| Total | — | 241,295,000 | 100% | Final year of the Mercury dime series; production ceased after 1945 |
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Values below reflect current market pricing based on PCGS auction records and dealer data as of early 2026. For a complete illustrated step-by-step 1945 dime identification breakdown with grading photos, check that linked reference guide. The signature variety (Philadelphia Full Bands) row is highlighted in gold; the rarest category (Wrong Planchet) is highlighted in orange-red.
| Variety / Mint | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (VF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS60–64) | Gem (MS65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945-P (No Mark) | $3 – $5 | $5 – $10 | $12 – $40 | $40 – $200 |
| 1945-P Full Bands (FB) ★ KEY | N/A | N/A | $200 – $1,450 | $1,450 – $96,000+ |
| 1945-D (Denver) | $3 – $5 | $5 – $10 | $12 – $35 | $35 – $200 |
| 1945-D Full Bands (FB) | N/A | N/A | $18 – $100 | $100 – $9,500 |
| 1945-S (San Francisco) | $3 – $5 | $5 – $10 | $12 – $40 | $40 – $250 |
| 1945-S Micro S | $15 – $30 | $30 – $100 | $100 – $500 | $500 – $11,500 |
| 1945-S Micro S Full Bands | N/A | N/A | $155 – $500 | $500 – $26,000 |
| Wrong Planchet Error RAREST | $840 – $6,600+ (confirmed Heritage Auctions sales by grade) | |||
| Off-Center Strike | $75 – $3,120+ (scales with % off-center and FB status) | |||
| Broadstruck Error | $75 – $4,560+ (MS65FB broadstruck record: $4,560 Heritage 2018) | |||
📱 CoinKnow is a fast on-the-go way to estimate your 1945 Mercury dime's value by uploading a photo — it cross-references grade and variety data instantly — a coin identifier and value app.
Grading determines value more than almost any other single factor. The four condition tiers below cover the range from heavily worn circulation pieces to gem uncirculated specimens. Pay special attention to the Full Bands note for uncirculated and gem coins.
Liberty's portrait is flat with major details merged. Hair above the eye is smooth and indistinct. The fasces on the reverse shows an outline but the diagonal and horizontal bands are mostly flat. Legends remain readable. Value is driven primarily by silver melt (~$6–$7). Typical value: $3–$5.
Moderate to light wear. In VF, hair detail above the ear is visible but somewhat flat, and the fasces bands show outline but little separation. In AU, only the highest points — Liberty's cheek and the band intersections — show trace wear. Mint luster may survive in protected areas. Typical value: $5–$10.
No wear visible anywhere under magnification. Full mint luster present across the entire surface. Contact marks from handling and bag contact are acceptable at this level. The bands on the reverse fasces may still appear flat or indistinct (standard strike) — only the rarest Philadelphia examples show Full Bands. Typical value: $12–$40.
Exceptional surfaces with minimal contact marks, brilliant or attractively toned luster, and strong strike. Gem grade is where the Full Bands premium becomes dramatic for Philadelphia issues. A gem MS65 without FB might trade for $40–$100; with FB it can be worth thousands. In MS67+FB the record is $96,000. Typical non-FB value: $40–$200.
🔍 CoinKnow helps you match your coin's surface preservation and strike quality against graded reference examples from your smartphone — a coin identifier and value app.
The right selling venue depends on what you have. A circulated junk-silver example needs a different strategy than a potential Full Bands gem or a major mint error.
The premier choice for Full Bands examples, major error coins, and any 1945 dime graded MS65 or higher. Heritage reaches the widest base of serious Mercury dime collectors and has the documented track record for this series, including the $96,000 MS67+FB sale in 2018. Consignment minimums apply — best for coins worth $500+.
Ideal for mid-grade uncirculated examples, Micro S varieties in circulated grades, and minor errors. Browse recently sold 1945 Mercury dime prices and completed eBay listings to set a realistic asking price before listing. Circulated examples often sell in bulk as junk silver lots.
Fast and convenient for circulated examples and bulk junk silver lots. Local dealers typically buy at 60–80% of melt for worn silver, and may offer more for uncirculated examples they can sell at retail. Avoid selling potential Full Bands or major error coins here without getting an independent opinion first.
r/Coins and r/CoinSales have active Mercury dime collector communities. Post clear photos of both sides plus the mint mark area under magnification. Forum members can provide free attributions and help confirm whether you have a Micro S, potential FB, or notable error before you commit to a price.