1987 Dime Value Guide: P, D & S Mint Prices

1987 Roosevelt Dime: Modern Rarity in Strike Quality

The 1987 Roosevelt Dime series represents a fascinating paradox in modern U.S. coinage. With a combined business strike mintage exceeding 1.4 billion coins across Philadelphia and Denver, these dimes are extraordinarily common in circulation—worth only their face value of ten cents in worn condition. Yet hidden within this massive population are some of the most sought-after condition rarities of the modern clad era.

The 1987 Roosevelt Dime features FDR's portrait on the obverse and a torch flanked by olive and oak branches on the reverse.

The numismatic significance of 1987 dimes lies not in "key date" scarcity but in "strike rarity." The market is driven entirely by collectors seeking high-grade specimens with sharp, complete strikes on the reverse torch—a feature designated as "Full Bands" (FB) by PCGS or "Full Torch" (FT) by NGC. These fully-struck examples command prices hundreds or thousands of times greater than their weakly-struck counterparts. A standard MS-67 1987-D dime might sell for $15, while an MS-67 FB example can bring $525 or more.

This guide provides comprehensive market values for all three 1987 issues—including business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver and collector-only Proofs from San Francisco—with detailed diagnostics for identifying valuable Full Bands strikes and distinguishing true mint state coins from circulated pieces.

How to Identify Your 1987 Roosevelt Dime

The 1987 Roosevelt Dime series consists of three distinct issues, each identifiable by its mint mark location. All 1987 dimes share the same basic design elements introduced in 1946.

Obverse Design Features

The obverse displays the left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock. Key inscriptions include "LIBERTY" above Roosevelt's head, "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the left of the portrait, and the date "1987" below. The designer's initials "JS" appear at the truncation of Roosevelt's neck. The portrait exhibits fine hair detail, particularly above the ear, which becomes a critical area for grading.

The mint mark (P, D, or S) is located on the obverse, to the right of the date, just above the '9' in '1987'.

Reverse Design Features

The reverse features a central torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by an olive branch (representing peace) on the left and an oak branch (representing strength) on the right. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "ONE DIME" encircle the design. The torch's central bands are the key diagnostic feature for identifying valuable Full Bands strikes.

Mint Mark Identification

The mint mark on all 1987 dimes is located on the obverse, to the right of the date, positioned just above the "9" in "1987":

• 1987-P: A "P" mint mark identifies coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint (mintage: 762,709,481)
• 1987-D: A "D" mint mark identifies coins struck at the Denver Mint (mintage: 653,203,402)
• 1987-S: An "S" mint mark identifies Proof coins struck exclusively for collectors at the San Francisco Mint (mintage: 4,227,728)

Distinguishing Business Strikes from Proofs

Business strike 1987-P and 1987-D dimes have a satiny, "frosty" luster created by high-speed production. Proof 1987-S dimes exhibit sharp, squared-off rims and either standard proof finish (mirror-like fields with satin devices), Cameo (lightly frosted devices), or Deep Cameo (heavily frosted devices with deeply mirrored fields). Nearly all 1987-S proofs are Deep Cameo due to excellent mint quality control that year.

Physical Specifications

All 1987 dimes share identical specifications: clad construction with outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core, total weight of 2.27 grams, diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and reeded edges with 118 reeds.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Values: Complete Price Guide

The market for 1987 Roosevelt Dimes is sharply divided between common, weakly-struck coins and rare, fully-struck specimens. Understanding this critical distinction is essential for accurately valuing any 1987 dime.

1987-P Roosevelt Dime (Philadelphia)

With over 762 million struck, the 1987-P is extremely common in all circulated grades. Value begins only in high mint state grades, and then only with a Full Bands strike.

Full Bands (left) shows complete separation of all torch bands with unbroken dividing lines. Weak strike (right) shows mushy, indistinct bands.

Standard Strike (No Full Bands Designation):

Full Bands (FB) / Full Torch (FT) Strike:

The 1987-P with a complete strike is a significant condition rarity. PCGS does not publish grade-by-grade Price Guide values for the Full Bands designation, indicating extreme rarity. However, NGC provides values for their stricter "Full Torch" designation, and auction records confirm substantial premiums:

Notable Auction Record: A 1987-P MS67 FT realized $720(Heritage, October 2020). A PCGS-graded example (presumably FB given the price) sold for $1,840.

1987-D Roosevelt Dime (Denver)

The 1987-D follows the same pattern as Philadelphia but commands even higher premiums for Full Bands specimens due to microscopic populations at top grades.

Standard Strike (No Full Bands Designation):

Full Bands (FB) / Full Torch (FT) Strike:

The 1987-D with full strike is one of the premier condition rarities of the modern clad era. A 2017 Heritage Auction listing noted that the combined PCGS and NGC population for MS-66 FB/FT was only 20 coins, with just 13 graded higher. This microscopic population explains the dramatic price escalation:

The enormous price jump from MS-65 ($24) to MS-66 ($175) to MS-67 ($525+) reflects a classic population bottleneck where each higher grade becomes exponentially scarcer.

1987-S Roosevelt Dime (San Francisco Proof)

The San Francisco Mint produced 4,227,728 dimes in 1987 exclusively for collectors as part of two distinct sets: the standard Proof Set (sold for $11) and the Prestige Set (sold for $45, which included the Constitution Bicentennial commemorative silver dollar). A critical factor affecting the market is that U.S. Mint quality control in 1987 was excellent, resulting in nearly all 1987-S proofs exhibiting Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast. This shifts collector focus away from the designation and onto achieving the perfect PR-70 grade.

Standard Proof (No Cameo):

Cameo (CA):

Deep Cameo (DCAM) / Ultra Cameo (UCAM):

Deep Cameo proofs exhibit strong contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields.

Grading 1987 Roosevelt Dimes: Key Diagnostics

Accurately grading 1987 Roosevelt Dimes requires understanding the critical distinction between strike quality and surface preservation, as well as identifying the specific wear patterns that differentiate mint state coins from circulated pieces.

Grade comparison showing the progression from MS-65 to MS-67, with increasing surface quality and eye appeal.

Understanding Full Bands (FB) and Full Torch (FT)

The "Full Bands" and "Full Torch" designations applied by PCGS and NGC represent superior strike quality, exceptionally rare for clad Roosevelt Dimes due to high-speed, high-volume production using overworked dies. These designations carry significant premiums because they identify coins that received exceptional metal flow during striking.

PCGS "Full Bands" (FB) Requirements: Both the upper and lower pair of bands on the torch must appear distinct and show full separation. The line dividing the bands must be full and unbroken. Any breaks, fading, or merging of the band lines disqualifies the coin from this designation.

NGC "Full Torch" (FT) Requirements: The coin must meet all PCGS FB criteria and additionally requires that the vertical lines of the torch must be defined. This stricter standard means FT-designated coins may command premiums over FB coins of the same numerical grade.

Strike Quality vs. Wear: A Critical Distinction

Many collectors confuse weak strikes with circulation wear. The key difference lies in luster preservation:

• Weak Strike (Mint State): The coin retains full, unbroken mint luster across its entire surface, including the high points. However, design details (especially torch bands) appear flat, indistinct, or "mushy." The metal flow during striking was insufficient to fill the deepest die recesses, but no post-mint wear has occurred.
• Circulation Wear (About Uncirculated or lower): The coin shows a break in mint luster on the highest points of the design. These areas appear duller or "grayer" than the protected, lustrous fields. On the obverse, check Roosevelt's hair above the ear and his cheekbone. On the reverse, examine the highest points of the torch flame and the tops of the leaves.

Key areas to check for wear: Roosevelt's hair above ear, cheekbone, and high points of torch flame and leaves.

Mint State Grade Descriptions

MS-60 to MS-62: Numerous contact marks visible to the naked eye, particularly on Roosevelt's cheek and in the obverse fields. Luster may be slightly impaired but remains continuous. Strike quality varies—weak strikes are common at these grades.

MS-63 to MS-64: Moderate number of contact marks, but smaller and less distracting than lower grades. Good luster. Most specimens lack Full Bands designation due to typical weak strikes.

MS-65 to MS-66: Minor contact marks visible only under magnification. Strong, vibrant luster. Excellent eye appeal. Full Bands specimens at these grades begin commanding significant premiums.

MS-67 to MS-68: Virtually mark-free surfaces with outstanding luster and eye appeal. In standard strike, these coins are scarce but obtainable. With Full Bands designation, they become major rarities commanding four-figure prices.

Proof Grade Descriptions

PR-60 to PR-63: Noticeable hairlines or contact marks visible to the naked eye, particularly in the mirror-like fields. Deep Cameo contrast may be present but surfaces show handling.

PR-64 to PR-67: Light hairlines visible under magnification. Strong Deep Cameo contrast. Eye appeal ranges from acceptable to pleasing.

PR-68 to PR-69: Minimal imperfections visible only under strong magnification. Exceptional Deep Cameo contrast with brilliant white frosted devices and deeply mirrored black fields. Most 1987-S proofs that remained in original mint packaging grade in this range.

PR-70: Absolutely perfect coin free of any imperfections, haze, or handling marks even under 5x magnification. While the current PCGS population exceeds 1,600 coins, achieving this grade requires pristine preservation from the moment of striking through encapsulation.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Die Varieties

The 1987 Roosevelt Dime series includes documented die varieties, though these are of primarily specialized interest and command minimal premiums in the general numismatic market. Collectors searching for 1987-D varieties should note that many online references incorrectly conflate varieties from the 1987-D Lincoln Cent (such as the FS-501 Repunched Mint Mark) with dime varieties.

1987-D Repunched Mint Mark Varieties

Variety Vista, the primary non-specialist resource for Roosevelt Dime varieties, documents two minor RPMs (Repunched Mint Marks) for the 1987-D dime:

1987-D RPM-001 (D/D North): This variety exhibits a minor northward spread of the "D" mint mark, visible as slight doubling toward the top of the letter. Diagnostics show the underlying punch impression shifted slightly upward relative to the final punch.

1987-D RPM-002 (D/D Rotated CCW): This variety shows a minor counter-clockwise rotation of the underlying "D" mint mark. Under magnification, a faint secondary impression appears rotated relative to the primary mint mark.

Market Value and Collectibility

Neither RPM-001 nor RPM-002 is listed in PCGS's VarietyPlus catalog or NGC's Variety Explorer as recognized collectible varieties. This indicates they are considered minor manufacturing variations rather than significant die varieties. While one non-authoritative source suggests values of "$50 or more," no reliable pricing from major grading services or auction houses supports this claim.

These varieties are primarily of interest to RPM specialists who collect repunched mint marks as a focused sub-specialty. For general collectors, standard 1987-D dimes with these minor RPMs carry no significant premium over regular strikes of the same grade. The true value proposition for 1987-D dimes remains in finding fully-struck Full Bands specimens, not minor mint mark variations.

1987 Roosevelt Dime Mint Errors and Values

While standard 1987 dimes in circulated condition are worth only face value, genuine U.S. Mint errors can carry significant premiums. The following error types have been documented on Roosevelt Dimes and represent realistic value ranges for 1987 examples if authenticated by a major grading service.

Common errors include off-center strikes, broadstrikes (struck out of collar), and missing clad layers.

Off-Center Strike Errors

Identification: The coin was improperly centered when struck, resulting in part of the design missing and leaving a blank, unstruck portion of planchet visible. The key value factors are the percentage off-center and whether the date and mint mark remain fully visible.

• 10-20% Off-Center: Minor misalignment with most design visible. Value: $10 to $20.
• 40-60% Off-Center (Date/Mint Mark Visible): This represents the "sweet spot" for collectors—dramatic visual impact while retaining date attribution. Value: $50+.
• 70%+ Off-Center: Extreme examples with minimal design, though less desirable if date is not visible for attribution.

Broadstrike (Struck Out of Collar)

Identification: The coin was struck without the retaining collar ring that normally forms the reeded edge and controls diameter. This causes the metal to spread outward during striking, resulting in a coin that is wider and thinner than normal specifications. The edge will be plain and smooth rather than reeded.

Value: This is a relatively common error type for modern coins. A 1987 broadstrike dime typically sells for $5 to $10 depending on how dramatically it spread and overall preservation.

Missing Clad Layer Errors

Identification: One of the outer copper-nickel layers failed to bond to the copper core before the planchet was struck. The resulting coin displays one normal silvery side and one copper-colored side where the core is exposed. The coin will weigh slightly less than a normal dime (typically 1.9-2.0 grams versus the standard 2.27 grams). This weight difference is an important authentication feature.

Value: Missing clad layer errors are popular with collectors due to their dramatic visual appeal. A 1987 example in circulated condition typically sells for $20 to $35. Mint state examples with full luster command premiums above this range.

Wrong Planchet Errors

Identification: A 1987 dime design struck on a planchet intended for a different denomination. The most valuable type is a dime struck on a cent planchet, which would result in a coin the size and copper color of a cent (19mm diameter, 2.5 grams) but bearing the dime's design.

Value: Wrong planchet errors are extremely rare. While no specific 1987 dime-on-cent-planchet examples are documented in the source material, auction records for similar errors provide valuation guidance. A 1980-P dime struck on a defective copper planchet realized $822.50 at auction. Other wrong planchet errors involving dimes routinely sell for $400 to over $2,000. A genuine 1987 dime struck on a cent planchet would command a minimum value of $500 to $1,000+.

Authentication and Problem Coins

For modern clad coins like the 1987 Roosevelt Dime, outright counterfeiting is not a significant concern due to the low intrinsic metal value. The primary authentication challenges involve identifying altered coins and recognizing various forms of post-mint damage that render coins unsuitable for numismatic collections. Any coin exhibiting these problems will receive a "Details" grade from PCGS or NGC (such as "AU Details—Cleaned" or "MS-62 Details—Environmental Damage"), which severely limits collector value regardless of the underlying grade.

Cleaned coins (left) show unnatural luster with parallel hairline scratches. Original coins (right) retain natural cartwheel luster.

Clad coins are particularly susceptible to cleaning damage because the copper-nickel surface is soft and easily abraded. Once cleaned, the damage is permanent and irreversible. The key diagnostic features of improper cleaning include a "dead," "soft," or unnaturally "scrubbed" luster that lacks the vibrant cartwheel effect of an original coin. Under magnification (5x or greater), cleaned coins display fine, parallel hairlines covering the fields. These scratches run in the same direction, corresponding to the wiping motion used during cleaning. The hairlines are most visible in the open field areas of the obverse (around Roosevelt's portrait) and reverse (in the areas between the torch and branches).

Tumbled coins represent another form of cleaning where the coin was placed in a rock tumbler with abrasive media. This produces a very unnatural, satiny finish quite unlike mint luster. The edges of design elements (letters, numbers, Roosevelt's profile) appear softly rounded rather than crisp. This method is sometimes used on heavily circulated coins in an attempt to "restore" detail, but the results are immediately apparent to experienced collectors.

"Whizzing" is a deceptive form of mechanical polishing designed to simulate mint luster by buffing the coin's surface with a high-speed wire brush. A whizzed coin has a chaotic, "greasy" luster rather than the organized cartwheel effect of genuine mint luster. The definitive diagnostic is a buildup of displaced metal on the sides of raised devices (letters, numbers, design elements). The wire brush pushes metal toward the high points, creating tiny berms visible under magnification. This displaced metal pattern is impossible to produce naturally and definitively identifies whizzing.

Artificial toning on clad coins is less common than on silver but occasionally appears in an attempt to hide cleaning hairlines. Clad Roosevelt Dimes can develop natural toning, but it is typically subtle—light gold, pale blue, or gray tones. Bright, garish colors (vivid purples, oranges, or rainbow effects) are almost universally artificial on clad coins. This artificial toning is often created by applying chemical accelerants such as liver of sulfur. While the toning itself may obscure hairlines under casual viewing, magnification reveals the underlying damage. The toning pattern may also appear unnatural, with sharp demarcations or suspiciously uniform coloration.

For high-value 1987 dimes—particularly Full Bands business strikes and PR-70 proofs—authentication and encapsulation by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended. Professional grading not only guarantees authenticity but also provides assurance that the coin is problem-free. The "straight grade" (MS-67 FB, PR-69 DCAM, etc.) confirms the coin has no cleaning, environmental damage, or alterations that would warrant a Details designation.

Preserving Your 1987 Roosevelt Dime

Modern clad coins, particularly Proofs, are highly sensitive to their storage environment. Proper preservation is essential for maintaining numismatic value, especially for high-grade specimens and those with premium designations like Full Bands or Deep Cameo.

The primary environmental threat is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) contamination. PVC is a plasticizer used in old-style soft plastic coin flips and some album pages. Over time, PVC breaks down and leaches onto the coin's surface, leaving a sticky, greenish or opaque residue that chemically bonds to the metal. This damage is permanent and cannot be fully removed without altering the coin's surface. For this reason, coins should never be stored in soft PVC flips. Only rigid holders made from inert materials—Mylar, polystyrene, or polyethylene—are suitable for long-term storage.

Even coins in original U.S. Mint packaging are not immune to environmental issues. The hard plastic cases used for Proof Sets are not hermetically sealed. Over decades, atmospheric contaminants can penetrate the packaging, leading to spotting, hazing, or toning. Many PR-69 and PR-70 1987-S proofs have developed spots or haze while remaining in their original mint packaging. For coins of significant value (MS-66+ Full Bands or PR-69+ Deep Cameo), professional encapsulation by PCGS or NGC is the industry standard for preservation.

Professional grading holders ("slabs") are sonically sealed, archivally inert containers that provide stable, long-term preservation. They protect against handling damage, environmental contamination, and physical shocks. Importantly, the third-party certification also guarantees the coin's authenticity and grade, which provides both security and marketability. A coin certified as MS-67 FB by PCGS can be bought, sold, or traded based on that grade without requiring re-examination by each subsequent buyer.

Handling practices are equally important. Coins should always be held by the edges, never touching the obverse or reverse surfaces. Even clean fingers transfer oils and acids that can cause spotting or toning over time. For raw (uncertified) coins, cotton gloves are recommended for handling. Coins should never be cleaned, polished, or "improved" in any way. Any intervention, no matter how well-intentioned, will be detected by professional graders and result in a Details grade that eliminates most collector value.

Storage location matters as well. Coins should be kept in a stable environment—away from high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and direct sunlight. A safe deposit box provides ideal conditions: stable temperature, low humidity, and security. Home storage should avoid basements (high humidity) and attics (temperature extremes). A fireproof safe in a climate-controlled area of the home is the next-best option.

Notable 1987 Roosevelt Dime Auction Results

Auction records provide valuable insight into the actual market prices achieved for premium 1987 Roosevelt Dimes, particularly for rare Full Bands business strikes and historical prices for top-grade proofs.

Business Strike Auction Records

A 1987-P graded MS-67 Full Torch (FT) by PCGS realized $720(Heritage Auctions, October 2020). This auction result significantly exceeds the NGC Price Guide value of $340 for this grade, demonstrating the strong demand for fully-struck Philadelphia Mint examples.

For the 1987-D, a specimen presumed to be graded with Full Bands (based on the realized price) sold for $1,840 according to PCGS auction records. This record underscores the extreme rarity of 1987-D dimes with complete torch band separation at high grades.

Proof Auction History: The Registry Set Era

The 1987-S Proof Deep Cameo provides a case study in how "Registry Set" competition once drove prices for "Top Pop" coins to extraordinary levels, followed by market correction as populations increased.

During the peak of PCGS Registry Set competition in May 2003, a 1987-S graded PR-70 DCAM sold at Heritage Auctions for $978(PCGS CoinFacts). Another example from the same period realized $1,020. Throughout 2004-2008, sales in the $100-$300 range were common as collectors competed to build the highest-ranked Roosevelt Dime Registry Sets, where a single PR-70 coin could elevate an entire set's ranking.

As the PCGS population of PR-70 DCAM coins grew—currently standing at 1,690 examples—the rarity premium evaporated. Recent 2025 auction results for PR-70 DCAM/UCAM coins show prices of $7.50, $9.51, $11.49, and $20, aligning closely with current PCGS and NGC Price Guide values of $20-$25. This market correction reflects the coin's actual scarcity relative to collector demand once the artificial Registry Set competition subsided.

Error Coin Auction Comparisons

While no specific 1987 dime error coins are documented in the source auction records, comparable Roosevelt Dime errors provide valuation context. A 1980-P dime struck on a defective copper planchet (a wrong planchet error) realized $822.50(PCGS Auction Prices). This establishes a floor value of $500-$1,000+ for any genuine 1987 dime struck on a cent planchet or similar dramatic wrong planchet error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Price Guide Methodology and Sources

The values presented in this guide are derived from multiple authoritative sources to provide collectors with accurate, current market prices for 1987 Roosevelt Dimes across all grades, mints, and strike types.

Primary pricing data comes from the PCGS Price Guide and NGC Coin Explorer, accessed November 2025. These guides reflect actual retail market values based on dealer transactions, show bourse activity, and online marketplace sales. For Full Bands and Full Torch designations, values are drawn from grade-specific entries in the PCGS CoinFacts Full Bands pages and NGC Full Torch price data.

Auction records provide essential market validation, particularly for rare Full Bands specimens where populations are microscopic. Specific auction results cited include Heritage Auctions (October 2020 1987-P MS-67 FT sale) and historical data from PCGS CoinFacts documenting the 2003-2008 Registry Set era pricing. Error coin valuations reference documented sales for comparable Roosevelt Dime errors, including PCGS Auction Prices for wrong planchet strikes.

Technical specifications, mintage figures, and design details are sourced from official U.S. Mint data as compiled by Roosevelt Dime mintage databases and verified through PCGS and NGC references.

All prices are presented in U.S. dollars and represent retail values—what a collector can expect to pay when purchasing from an established dealer or through major auction houses. Prices realized at auction may vary based on factors including buyer competition, coin pedigree, and market timing. Dealer buy prices (what dealers pay to acquire coins for inventory) are typically 20-40% below retail prices depending on the coin's liquidity and dealer inventory needs.