1987 Roosevelt Dime Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties

Discover what your 1987 Roosevelt dime errors are worth: Missing Clad Layers with a $1,840 record, RPM varieties, double denominations, and off-center strikes. Weight tests, diagnostics, and verified auction records through January 2026.

Quick Answer

Most 1987 Roosevelt dimes are worth face value (10¢), but a genuine Missing Clad Layer error sold for $1,840 — and a single weight test separates them.

  • 🔴 Missing Clad Layer (P/D): Copper-colored on one side + weighs under 2.1g → $150–$1,800+
  • Double Denomination / Wrong Planchet (P/D): Wrong size, color, or weight → $1,000–$12,000+
  • 🔵 1987-D RPM-001 (D/D North): Secondary "D" above the mint mark → $5–$25
  • 🏆 Off-Center Strike (40–60%, date visible): Blank crescent on one side → $75–$150

⚠️ Biggest trap: A copper-colored dime that still weighs ~2.27g is environmental damage, not a mint error. Always weigh first.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Errors Error Checker

Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties

Values shown are typical retail estimates as of 2026-01 and may vary based on market conditions.

Error coin values depend heavily on grade, eye appeal, and professional authentication.

The 1987-P Missing Clad Layer auction record of $1,840 (MS62) is from 2012; current realized prices for similar errors may be lower ($400–$800) depending on market conditions.

Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC) is strongly recommended for any coin suspected of being a Missing Clad Layer, Wrong Planchet, or other major error.

Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like doubling) is NOT a valuable Doubled Die error and carries no numismatic premium.

Environmental damage turning a coin copper-colored is NOT a Missing Clad Layer error. Weigh the coin: genuine missing clad errors weigh under 2.1g.

Over 1.4 billion 1987 Roosevelt dimes rolled out of Philadelphia and Denver — and the vast majority are worth exactly 10 cents. But hidden inside that flood of copper-nickel are genuine mint mistakes that range from a repunched "D" mint mark (a fun $5–$25 cherrypick) to exotic planchet errors that auction for thousands. The difference between face value and $1,800 often comes down to a single gram on a digital scale. This guide walks you through every known error so you can check your coin in minutes. For standard grade-by-grade pricing without errors, see the complete 1987 Roosevelt Dime value guide.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Specifications and Mintage

Memorize these baselines before hunting errors. Any coin that deviates from the standard 2.27g weight or 17.9mm diameter is your first signal to investigate further.

MintTypeMintageCompositionWeightDiameterCirc. ValueUnc. Value
Philadelphia (no mark)Business Strike762,709,481Cu-Ni Clad2.27g17.9mm$0.10$0.50–$3.00
Denver (D)Business Strike653,203,402Cu-Ni Clad2.27g17.9mm$0.10$0.50–$3.00
San Francisco (S)Proof Only4,227,728Cu-Ni Clad2.27g17.9mmN/A$4.00–$10.00

🔑 The Golden Rule of 1987 Dime Errors

The standard weight is 2.27 grams. Any 1987 dime weighing below 2.1 grams deserves serious attention. A 0.01g precision digital scale costs under $15 and is the single most important tool for this date.

The clad "sandwich" (copper core bonded to 75% Cu / 25% Ni outer layers) was introduced in 1965 and replaced silver. The manual mint-mark punching process still used in 1987 is why Repunched Mint Marks (RPMs) are possible on this date — a feature eliminated in later production years. For full market pricing by grade, see the 1987 Roosevelt Dime value guide.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Quick Checks: Do You Have a Valuable Error?

Work through these checks in order. Each takes under two minutes. Stop at the first match — that is your lead to pursue.

Check 1: Missing Clad Layer — Applies to P and D Mint

Where to Look

The obverse (front) or reverse (back) face of the coin. Look for a distinct mono-tone copper (reddish-brown) color on one side only.

What Counts

Copper color on one side while the other remains standard silver-nickel. Detail on the copper side is often weak or "mushy." Weight must be under 2.1g (typically 1.8–2.0g) — this test is mandatory.

What It's NOT

A coin that is reddish on both sides, or any coin that weighs 2.2–2.3g. That is environmental toning or chemical damage — not a mint error.

💰 If positive:$150–$1,800+ | See detailed guide →

Check 2: Repunched Mint Mark — Denver "D" Coins Only

Where to Look

The "D" mint mark on the obverse near the date. A 10x jeweler's loupe is required.

What Counts

A clear secondary impression of the D protruding from the top of the primary D (RPM-001 — D/D North), or a rotated secondary impression showing a split in the D's vertical post (RPM-002). Doubling must be sharp and notched at the serifs, not flat.

What It's NOT

Machine doubling on the mint mark looks flat and shelf-like. Die chips and cracks near the mint mark are also not RPMs. Only a raised, notched secondary impression qualifies.

💰 If positive:$5–$25 | See detailed guide →

Check 3: Weight or Size Anomaly — Wrong Planchet / Double Denomination

Where to Look

The edge, overall size, color, and scale readout.

What Counts

Weight of ~2.5g (zinc cent planchet) or ~3.1g (copper cent planchet) on a coin with dime design. Or a dime-sized coin with a Lincoln cent design. Any combination of wrong design + wrong weight/size = potential exotic error.

What It's NOT

A 2.27g coin that looks dirty or discolored. Acid-damaged coins may be slightly lighter but show pitted, rough surfaces — not the smooth planchet surface of a genuine error.

💰 If positive:$1,000–$12,000+ | See detailed guide →

Trap Check: Machine Doubling — Do NOT Get Excited

Where to Look

The date and "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the obverse (front of the coin).

What You'll See

A flat, shelf-like step on the sides of letters that makes them look smeared or thinner. Extremely common on high-mintage 1987 dies worn through heavy use.

What It's NOT

A genuine Doubled Die (DDO) shows rounded, raised notches at serif corners and makes letters look wider. Machine Doubling makes letters look thinner or stepped. If the doubled image is flat and shelf-like, it has zero premium.

💸 Value:Face value only | See Traps section →

1987 Roosevelt Dime Error Values: Master Table

All verified error types and varieties for the 1987 dime in one place. Click error names to jump to full diagnostic guides. Values assume Mint State (uncirculated) condition unless noted; circulated examples typically realize 40–60% of these figures.

Error TypeDesignationMintRarityValue RangeAuction Record
Missing Clad LayerP / DVery Rare$150–$1,800+$1,840 (MS62)
Double Denomination / Wrong PlanchetP / DUnique / Exotic$1,000–$12,000+$12,000
Off-Center Strike≥10% off-centerP / DUncommon$15–$150$121 (MS68)
Condition Rarity (MS67+ FB)Full Bands (FB)P / DRare in MS67+$50–$500+$1,300 (MS67+ FB)
RPM-001 (D/D North)RPM-001D onlyScarce$5–$25
WDDO-001 Doubled Die ObverseWDDO-001D onlyMinor$2–$10

1987-S Proof Dime Values

San Francisco produced 4,227,728 Proof dimes for annual Proof Sets in 1987. All 1987-S dimes were made as Proofs — they are not candidates for most errors listed above.

Standard Proof
$4–$10
Cameo (CAM)
$8–$15
Deep Cameo (DCAM)
$10+

⚠️ Non-Proof 1987-S Dime?

All 1987-S dimes were produced as Proofs (mirror-like fields, frosted devices). If your S-mint coin lacks these characteristics, the mint mark may be altered or counterfeit. Seek professional authentication before drawing any conclusions.

1987 Roosevelt Dime: High-Value Errors Fully Explained

Each major error gets its own deep-dive here: origin, step-by-step identification, what fakes look like, and verified market values.

1987-P/D Missing Clad Layer (Planchet Error)

Planchet Error
Value: $150–$1,800+
Very Rare
Side-by-side comparison of normal 1987 dime and missing clad layer error showing copper reverse

Normal dime (left) vs. Missing Clad Layer with copper-colored reverse (right).

Origin & Background

The clad "sandwich" is made by bonding a pure copper core to outer layers of 75% Cu / 25% Ni under high pressure. If bonding surfaces contain contaminants or trapped gas, the bond fails. When the strip is rolled to final thickness, the unbonded layer can peel away before the planchet is even punched. A planchet missing one clad layer enters the press lighter and thinner than normal — striking pressure is insufficient for the reduced thickness, leaving design details on the copper side soft or "mushy."

How to Identify

  • Color: One side shows distinct mono-tone copper (reddish-brown) while the other remains standard silver-nickel.
  • Weight (mandatory test): Weigh on a 0.01g scale. Genuine missing clad layer: 1.8–2.0g. Normal dime: 2.27g. Any coin weighing 2.2g+ is NOT a missing clad error.
  • Strike quality: Detail on the copper side is typically soft. Full, sharp rims on the copper face suggest post-mint alteration instead.
  • Magnet test: Genuine 1987 dimes are not magnetic. A magnetic coin is steel-core and not an authentic clad dime.

False Positives to Avoid

Environmental damage from soil acids, chemical exposure, and long-term skin oil contact can leach nickel from the coin surface, leaving a copper appearance — often on both sides. These coins retain nearly full weight (~2.25–2.27g). Copper-plated novelty coins are also common. Genuine error planchets have smooth original mint luster (though with weak detail); chemically damaged surfaces are pitted and dull.

Market Values by Type

  • Partial Missing Clad (clamshell peel): $20–$60
  • Full Missing Clad — Reverse: $80–$200
  • Full Missing Clad — Obverse: $150–$400+ (higher demand — Roosevelt visible on the copper side)
Digital scale displaying 1.87 grams confirming a 1987 dime missing clad layer error

Digital scale confirming a 1987 dime at 1.87g — well under the 2.27g standard, authenticating the missing clad layer.

Auction Record

$1,840 for MS62 1987-P (PCGS Auction Prices, Heritage Auctions, 2012). Note: Current realized prices for comparable examples are typically $400–$800 based on recent market conditions per PCGS data.

1987-P/D Double Denomination / Wrong Planchet

Planchet Error
Value: $1,000–$12,000+
Unique / Exotic
Comparison of 17.9mm dime planchet and 19.05mm cent planchet illustrating wrong planchet errors

Standard 17.9mm dime planchet (left) vs. 19.05mm copper cent planchet (right) — the mismatch behind double denomination errors.

Origin & Background

These are the "exotics" of the error world. They occur when a planchet meant for one denomination accidentally enters the press set up for another. A copper cent planchet in the dime press receives the Roosevelt dime design — creating a copper-colored dime of the wrong dimensions. Conversely, a dime planchet in the cent press produces a Lincoln cent design on silver-colored metal. The 1987 Denver mint has documented cross-denomination errors, with a 1987-D Lincoln Cent-related error realizing $12,000 at auction — confirming these exotic planchet errors exist for this year.

How to Identify

  • Weight: Zinc cent planchet: ~2.5g. Copper cent planchet: ~3.1g. Standard dime: 2.27g. Any significant deviation demands investigation.
  • Diameter: Standard dime is 17.9mm. A cent planchet is 19.05mm. Size mismatch is immediate, measurable evidence.
  • Design vs. Metal mismatch: Dime design on copper, or cent design on silver-colored metal — visible at a glance.

False Positives to Avoid

Novelty coins, painted coins, and chemically altered coins cannot change their size — only their color. Any wrong-planchet candidate must pass both weight and diameter tests. Heat and chemicals explain color changes only; they cannot explain a coin being the wrong size.

Market Values

  • Cent on Dime planchet / Dime on Cent planchet: $1,000–$12,000+ depending on grade and visual drama.

Auction Record

$12,000 for a 1987-D cross-denomination error in MS69 (PCGS Auction Prices). This record involved a Lincoln Cent struck on related planchet stock from the Denver mint in 1987.

1987-D RPM-001 (D/D North) — Repunched Mint Mark

Die Variety
Value: $5–$25
Scarce
Close-up of 1987-D RPM-001 showing secondary D mint mark protruding above primary D

RPM-001 close-up: raised secondary "D" protrudes above the top of the primary mint mark.

Origin & Background

In 1987, mint marks were still punched by hand into each working die using a steel punch and mallet — a manual process. If the first strike was insufficient or the punch moved, a second impression landed in a slightly different position, leaving two permanent overlapping "D" impressions in the die. Every coin struck by that die carries the same doubled mint mark. The 1987-D series is among the very last years in the Roosevelt series where RPMs are technically possible; subsequent years moved to hub-engraved mint marks, making RPMs impossible.

How to Identify

  • RPM-001 (D/D North): A secondary impression of the "D" protrudes from the top of the primary D, visible as a raised notch above the upper serif. Requires a 10x loupe.
  • RPM-002 (D/D Rotated): The secondary punch is rotated relative to the primary, often showing as a split in the D's vertical post or tilted serifs.
  • Die markers: Confirm your variety against reference images at VarietyVista 1987-D RPMs. Match specific die scratches or gouges. The doubling must be raised and notched — not flat.

False Positives to Avoid

Machine Doubling on the mint mark is common and worthless — it looks flat and shelf-like on one side of the letter. Die deterioration creates fuzzy, indistinct mint marks with no clean secondary image. Neither has numismatic value. Only a clear, raised, notched secondary impression qualifies as an RPM.

Market Reality

  • RPM-001 or RPM-002: $5–$25 in the specialist market. Most trades occur at coin shows in unrecorded bulk transactions.

Auction Record

No verified major-house auction record. These are fun cherrypick varieties with historical significance as some of the final RPMs in the Roosevelt series, but they are not high-value investments. Reference: Wexler's Die Varieties (1987-D).

1987-D WDDO-001 Doubled Die Obverse

Die Variety
Value: $2–$10
Minor

Origin & Background

A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) occurs when the hub — the master tool used to create working dies — impresses the design into a die twice with a slight shift or rotation between impressions. The two overlapping design images are permanently in the die, and every coin it strikes carries the same doubling. The 1987-D WDDO-001 is a minor variety identified and catalogued in Wexler's die variety database.

How to Identify

  • Minor hub doubling visible on obverse lettering, particularly "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date.
  • Genuine doubling shows rounded, raised notches at letter serif corners — the letters look wider than normal.
  • Must match known die markers in Wexler's die variety database (1987-D) for confirmed attribution.

False Positives to Avoid

Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like steps that reduce letter width) is extremely common on heavily used 1987 dies and has no value. Die Deterioration Doubling — fuzzy, ghostly secondary images from worn dies — is also worthless. Both are far more common than genuine DDO varieties on this date.

Market Values

  • WDDO-001: $2–$10. No verified major-house auction record. Values estimated from comparable minor varieties of the same era.

1987-P/D Off-Center Strike

Striking Error
Value: $15–$150 (10–75% off, Mint State, date visible)
Uncommon
1987 Roosevelt dime off-center strike showing blank crescent with date still visible

Off-center strike with blank crescent on left side; date remains fully visible at right edge.

Origin & Background

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet feeder fails to position the blank directly over the anvil die before the hammer die descends. The coin is struck while only partially in the striking chamber, resulting in a crescent-shaped unstruckarea. The collar — a steel ring that normally contains the planchet and imparts the reeded edge — either fails to engage or is bypassed.

How to Identify

  • A blank crescent of metal on one side where no design was impressed.
  • A crisp, sharp boundary at the edge of the struck design — the hallmark of a genuine mint error (vs. post-mint bending or damage).
  • Date must be visible for full value. Undated off-center dimes are unattributable to a specific year and worth only $5–$15 as generic errors.
  • The "sweet spot" for maximum value is 40–60% off-center with date and mint mark both still legible.

False Positives to Avoid

Post-mint damage from machinery, vehicles, or tools can create misshapen coins but these lack the crisp strike boundary of a genuine off-center error and show gouges, scratches, or compression marks. A coin only 1–9% off-center is often a "Misaligned Die" (MAD) error with minimal value.

Off-Center Value Matrix

Off-Center %Date Visible?Value Range (Mint State)
1%–9%YesFace value–$2
10%–20%Yes$15–$35
20%–50%Yes$35–$80
50%–75%Yes$75–$150
Any %Missing$5–$15

Auction Record

$121 for a 1987-D off-center strike in MS68 — illustrating that grade is a multiplier for error value. (PCGS CoinFacts 1987-D).

1987 Full Bands Condition Rarity (MS67+ FB)

Condition Rarity
Value: $50–$500+
Rare in MS67+
Roosevelt dime torch bands comparison showing partial bands versus full separated bands designation

Normal torch bands (left) vs. Full Bands designation showing complete separation across all horizontal bands (right).

What Is a Condition Rarity?

This is not a mint error — it is a coin whose value comes purely from surviving in extraordinary condition. Of the 762–653 million 1987 dimes struck per mint, very few escaped the rigors of commerce with superb Mint State surfaces. The "Full Bands" (FB) designation measures the complete separation of the horizontal bands on Roosevelt's torch on the reverse. When combined with a grade of MS67 or higher, these coins represent genuine survival rarities.

How to Identify

  • Examine the torch bands on the reverse under magnification. All bands must be fully separated with no merging at any point.
  • The coin must be in pristine Mint State (MS67 or higher) with sharp strike throughout, exceptional luster, and minimal marks.
  • Professional grading by PCGS or NGC is mandatory to confirm the FB designation — without it, the premium cannot be realized in the market.

False Positives to Avoid

Partial band separation does not earn the FB designation. Die polish lines running through the bands look like separation but are not. Coins below MS67 with Full Bands have only minimal premium over standard Mint State values — the grade and the FB designation must both be present for the significant premium.

Market Values

  • MS67 FB: $50–$150+
  • MS67+ FB: $150–$500+
  • MS68 FB: $300–$500+

Auction Record

$1,300 for MS67+ FB. See PCGS CoinFacts 1987-D FB and PCGS CoinFacts 1987-P FB for full population and auction history.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Value Traps: Don't Be Fooled

These three misidentifications account for the vast majority of disappointed 1987 dime hunters. Rule them out before getting excited.

⚠️ Trap #1: Environmental Damage — The False "Missing Clad Layer"

What You See:

A dime with a copper-colored or reddish-brown appearance, sometimes only on one side — a convincing visual match to the genuine Missing Clad Layer error.

Why It Happens:

The copper-nickel alloy is reactive. Mild acids in soil, paper coin rolls, and human skin oils cause the nickel to leach out or tone over decades, leaving copper color dominant. This is a chemical surface change, not a missing layer of metal.

How to Tell It's NOT Valuable:
  • Weigh the coin: environmental damage retains nearly full weight (~2.25–2.27g). Genuine missing clad errors weigh 1.8–2.0g. This test takes 30 seconds.
  • Check both sides: if both sides are discolored or reddish, it is environmental toning — not a missing layer (which affects one side only).
  • Examine the surface texture: environmental damage leaves a pitted, dull, or porous surface. A genuine error planchet is smooth with original mint luster.

Value: Face value only.

⚠️ Trap #2: Machine Doubling — The False "Doubled Die"

What You See:

Under a loupe, letters in "IN GOD WE TRUST," the date, or the mint mark appear doubled — as if struck twice.

Why It Happens:

1987 was a massive-mintage year; dies were used until failure. A slightly loose die vibrates upon impact, smearing the design impression. This is extremely common on 1987 dimes from both mints.

How to Tell It's NOT Valuable:
  • Machine Doubling produces a flat, shelf-like step on the side of letters, making them appear thinner or stepped.
  • Genuine Doubled Die (DDO) produces rounded, raised notches at serif corners, making letters appear wider.
  • If the doubling looks like a shadow or smear, it is Machine Doubling — zero numismatic premium.

Value: Face value only.

Comparison of machine doubling showing flat shelf versus genuine doubled die with raised serif notches

Machine Doubling (left): flat shelf step reducing letter width. Genuine DDO (right): raised notch at serif corners increasing letter width.

⚠️ Trap #3: Heat Blisters

What You See:

Raised bubbles or blisters on the coin surface, sometimes called "die breaks" or "lamination errors" by excited finders.

Why It Happens:

Clad coins exposed to high heat (dryers, fires, engines) develop surface bubbles as gas trapped between the clad layers expands under heat — a form of Post-Mint Damage (PMD).

How to Tell It's NOT Valuable:
  • A genuine lamination error is a pre-strike planchet flaw and looks like peeling or flaking metal — not a raised pressure bubble.
  • If the blister can be depressed with gentle pressure, it is a heat blister (PMD) with no value.
  • Look for accompanying heat stress signs: overall discoloration across both sides, warping, or rainbow toning — all signs of fire or extreme heat.

Value: Face value only.

Environmental damage with pitted discolored surface compared to genuine missing clad layer smooth copper surface

Environmental damage with pitted, discolored surface (left) vs. genuine Missing Clad Layer with smooth copper surface (right).

1987 Roosevelt Dime: How Grade Affects Value

For most 1987 dimes, grade is irrelevant — they are worth face value at any grade. But for error coins and the Full Bands condition rarity, grade is a powerful value multiplier.

  • Circulated (G through AU): Circulated examples of error coins typically command 40–60% of Mint State values. Key wear points on Roosevelt dimes are the cheekbone and hair high points on the obverse.
  • Mint State MS60–MS66: Standard uncirculated range. Common date values: $0.50–$3.00. Error premiums apply throughout this range.
  • MS67: Where condition rarities begin commanding real premiums. MS67 FB examples start to separate from the pack.
  • MS67+ and MS68: Extremely rare survivors from the 1.4 billion struck. The $1,300 auction record for MS67+ FB demonstrates the value spike these grades produce.
  • Full Bands (FB) designation: Awarded by PCGS and NGC when all horizontal torch bands on the reverse are completely separated. Professional submission is required — no FB premium can be realized without third-party certification.

💡 Quick Grading Check

Examine the cheekbone and upper hair on the obverse for wear. On the reverse, focus on the torch bands for the FB designation. A 10x loupe reveals whether bands are truly separated or merely appear separated due to die polish lines.

1987 Roosevelt Dime: When and How to Get Authenticated

Not every suspicious 1987 dime needs professional certification. Use this decision framework:

  • Under $50 estimated value (RPM-001, WDDO-001): Skip grading. Submission fees typically exceed the premium for $5–$25 varieties.
  • $50–$150 (off-center strike, partial missing clad): Consider PCGS or NGC Economy tier submission. Certification validates the error and enables confident resale.
  • Over $150 (full missing clad layer, MS67+ FB): Always certify. A raw (uncertified) Missing Clad Layer sells for a fraction of a PCGS/NGC-slabbed example of equivalent quality.
  • Any wrong planchet or double denomination candidate: Certify immediately. Exotic errors are frequently faked or misidentified; third-party authentication is non-negotiable for buyer confidence and maximum value realization.

⚠️ Do NOT Clean Your Coin

Cleaning permanently destroys numismatic value. A cleaned Missing Clad Layer will receive a "Details — Cleaned" designation and sell for a small fraction of an original-surface example of the same grade. Handle all error coin candidates by their edges only.

Submit to PCGS (PCGS CoinFacts 1987-P) or NGC (NGC Coin Explorer 1987-P) — the two most widely recognized third-party grading services. Both maintain population (census) data documenting how many coins have been certified at each grade, which directly informs market value.

For authorized coin dealer and submission service locations, consult your local coin club or the dealer-locator tools on the PCGS and NGC websites.

1987 Roosevelt Dime: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable 1987 dime error?

The Double Denomination / Wrong Planchet error holds the highest confirmed auction record ($12,000), but these are extraordinarily rare one-of-a-kind finds. The more commonly encountered high-value error is the Missing Clad Layer, which realized $1,840 for a 1987-P in MS62. Current market prices for typical Missing Clad examples run $400–$800 depending on condition and which side is copper.

My 1987 dime looks copper-colored. Is it worth money?

Only if it weighs under 2.1 grams. A copper-colored dime that still weighs ~2.27g is environmental damage — the nickel has leached out from chemical exposure. Genuine Missing Clad Layer errors weigh 1.8–2.0g because they physically lack a layer of metal. Weigh the coin first; this 30-second test eliminates 95% of false alarms.

Is a 1987-S dime valuable?

Standard 1987-S Proof dimes from annual Proof Sets are worth $4–$10. Deep Cameo (DCAM) examples command a modest additional premium. All 1987-S dimes were produced as Proofs — if yours does NOT have mirror-like fields and frosted devices, have the mint mark's authenticity checked, as it may be altered.

What does "Full Bands" mean on a Roosevelt dime?

The reverse of a Roosevelt dime shows a torch with horizontal bands crossing its shaft. "Full Bands" (FB) means every band is completely separated — no merging anywhere. This requires both a sharp, centered strike and pristine preservation. PCGS and NGC award this designation during grading. A 1987 dime in MS67+ with the FB designation has sold for $1,300.

What tools do I need to check a 1987 dime for errors?

Three tools cover nearly every case: (1) a digital scale with 0.01g precision (under $15) — essential for the Missing Clad Layer weight test; (2) a 10x jeweler's loupe (under $20) — needed to distinguish RPMs from Machine Doubling and to examine mint marks; (3) a rare earth magnet — rules out steel-core planchets and plated fakes, which are magnetic (genuine 1987 clad dimes are not).

Why is 1987 one of the last years for RPM varieties on Roosevelt dimes?

In 1987, mint marks were still physically punched by hand into each working die. A slipped or double-struck punch left two permanent overlapping impressions — a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM). In later years, mint marks were moved onto the master hub, so every die received a single, perfect mark automatically. This process change made RPMs technically impossible going forward, making 1987 among the final RPM opportunities in the Roosevelt series.

Does an off-center 1987 dime without a visible date have any value?

Yes, but only modest value: $5–$15 as a generic "undated off-center dime." Without a visible date, the coin cannot be positively attributed to 1987, so it trades as an unattributed modern error rather than a specifically dated piece. Off-center strikes with the date fully visible are worth $15–$150 depending on the degree of misalignment.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Research: Sources and Methodology

All values, diagnostics, and auction records in this guide are drawn from the following primary sources. Prices reflect market data through January 2026.

📊 Data Quality Note

The $1,840 Missing Clad Layer record is from a 2012 Heritage Auctions sale; current realized prices for comparable examples are typically $400–$800 per recent market conditions. RPM and DDO values are estimated from comparable varieties due to limited recorded auction data — most minor variety trades occur at coin shows. All values as of January 2026.

A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.

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