1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties
1999 Roosevelt Dime error values updated Jan 2026. The rare cent planchet error sold for $6,325. Identify wrong planchets, missing clad layers, off-center strikes, and broadstrikes with weight diagnostics and trap warnings.
Most 1999 Roosevelt Dimes are worth face value (10¢), but dramatic mint errors — especially the Denver cent planchet error — are confirmed worth $3,000–$7,000.
- 🥇 Wrong Planchet — Denver: $3,000–$7,000 | Sold for $6,325 at Heritage Auctions (Aug 2021)
- 💰 Missing Clad Layer: $40–$150 | One side fully copper-colored; must weigh 1.8–2.10 g
- 📍 Major Off-Center Strike (>20% with visible date): $15–$100+
- 🔩 Broadstrike / Bonded Clad: $10–$150 depending on type
⚠️ Biggest trap: copper-looking dimes damaged by heat or corrosion. Always weigh first — a genuine error will NOT weigh the standard 2.27 g.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors Error Checker
Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties
Values shown are typical retail estimates as of 2026-01 and reflect common market conditions.
Error coin values vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and current market demand.
Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC/ANACS) is strongly recommended for any error valued over $100.
Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like) is NOT a valuable doubled die variety — it has no numismatic premium.
Heat-damaged or environmentally damaged dimes that appear copper-colored are NOT mint errors. Always weigh the coin: a genuine missing clad layer or wrong planchet will NOT weigh the standard 2.27g.
Die chips, die cracks, and die deterioration doubling on 1999 dimes are common quality control artifacts generally worth face value only.
The U.S. Mint weight tolerance for clad dimes is plus or minus 0.097g, meaning normal coins may weigh between 2.17g and 2.37g.
In 1999, U.S. mints stamped out more than 3.5 billion Roosevelt Dimes — a staggering volume driven by the booming economy, Y2K coin hoarding, and the launch of the 50 State Quarters program. The overwhelming majority are worth exactly their face value of 10 cents. But buried in that ocean of copper-nickel discs are a handful of catastrophic mint errors that auction houses have verified at thousands of dollars. This guide — current as of January 2026 — tells you exactly what to look for, what tools you need, and which "copper dimes" are actually just damaged. For standard grade-by-grade values, see the complete 1999 Roosevelt Dime value guide.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Specifications & Mintage
Error diagnosis starts with knowing a healthy coin's specifications. Any specimen that deviates meaningfully from these numbers warrants investigation — everything else is almost certainly face value or post-mint damage (PMD).
| Attribute | Standard Value |
|---|---|
| Series | Roosevelt Dime (1946–present) |
| Composition — Business Strike | Clad: pure copper core bonded to 75% Cu / 25% Ni outer layers (91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni overall) |
| Composition — Silver Proof | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Weight (business strike) | 2.268 g | Tolerance ±0.097 g → normal range: 2.17–2.37 g |
| Weight (silver proof) | 2.50 g |
| Diameter | 17.91 mm |
| Philadelphia (P) Mintage | 2,164,000,000 |
| Denver (D) Mintage | 1,397,750,000 |
| San Francisco — Clad Proof | 2,543,401 (sold in annual Proof Sets) |
| San Francisco — Silver Proof | 804,565 (sold in Silver Proof Sets) |
⚠️ Weight Tolerance Zone
The U.S. Mint allows ±0.097 g variance. A completely normal 1999 dime can legally weigh 2.17–2.37 g. Only coins weighing below 2.10 g (possible missing clad layer) or above 2.40 g (possible foreign planchet) cross the threshold where a planchet error becomes plausible on weight alone.
Need circulated and mint-state values by grade? See the 1999 Roosevelt Dime value guide.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Quick Checks: Do You Have Something Valuable?
Run through these three checks in order. You need two tools: a digital scale accurate to 0.01 g and a 10× jeweler's loupe. These two instruments resolve almost every 1999 dime error question definitively.
A 0.01g digital scale is the single most important tool for diagnosing 1999 dime planchet errors.
Check 1 — Wrong Planchet: The "Penny" Dime
The entire surface and edge. The primary visual cue is a copper-red color instead of the normal silver-gray, but weight is the only reliable confirmation.
A 1999 dime design struck on a copper-plated zinc blank intended for a Lincoln Cent. Must weigh approximately 2.50 g. Must show genuine mint luster — a cartwheel shimmer when rotated under light, not flat brown toning. The design may be distorted because a cent planchet (19 mm) is larger than a dime (17.91 mm).
A copper-plated dime (a common chemistry-class trick) or a dime turned dark reddish-brown by heat, corrosion, or car cup-holder exposure. All of these weigh the normal 2.27 g. If it weighs 2.27 g, it is NOT a wrong planchet — full stop.
Check 2 — Missing Clad Layer: The "Partial" Copper Dime
The obverse (front) or reverse (back) face — usually only one side is affected.
One full side is copper-colored while the opposite side looks normal silver-clad. The copper side may show slightly blurred design details. Weight must be 1.8–2.10 g — the missing layer represents a significant mass loss from the standard 2.27 g.
Heat damage, burial corrosion, or dryer exposure — these look copper-brown but weigh the full 2.27 g and show a porous, pitted surface under magnification. Also not sintered plating (improper annealing at the mint), which also retains full weight. If it weighs 2.27 g, it is NOT a missing clad layer.
Check 3 — Machine Doubling & PMD (NOT Valuable)
The date "1999," the mint mark (P or D), and the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST."
Machine Doubling (MD) creates a flat, shelf-like step on letters and numbers — it looks doubled but actually subtracts from the design width. Post-Mint Damage (PMD) includes scratches, flattened rims from dryer tumbling, and chemical discoloration. Neither has numismatic value.
A True Doubled Die (DDO) shows rounded, notched doubling where both images have nearly equal relief and split serifs (notches at letter corners) are visible under a loupe. No major verified DDO varieties for 1999 dimes command significant premiums.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors Value Chart
All confirmed error types for 1999 Roosevelt Dimes, ranked by value. Error type names in the first column link to detailed identification guides below. Values are retail estimates as of January 2026.
| Error Type | Category | Mint | Rarity | Value Range | Auction Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck on Cent Planchet | Wrong Planchet | D | Unique / R-8 | $3,000–$7,000 | $6,325 |
| Bonded / Split Clad Layer | Planchet Error | P | R-6 | $50–$150 | MS60 ANACS |
| Missing Clad Layer (full side) | Planchet Error | P / D | Very Scarce | $40–$150 | $129 (sim. era) |
| Off-Center Strike (>10%) | Striking Error | P / D | Rare (R-5) | $5–$150+ | $45 (2023) |
| Broadstrike | Striking Error | P / D | Scarce | $10–$30 | $20–$30 |
| Partial Missing Clad | Planchet Error | P / D | Uncommon | $5–$20 | Varies |
| Improper Annealing (sintered) | Planchet Error | All | Uncommon | $5–$15 | Varies |
| Minor Doubled Die (DDO) | Die Variety | P | Common / Minor | Face – minimal | No record >$50 |
| Die Clash | Die Error | All | Common | $1–$3 | — |
| Machine Doubling | Mechanical | All | Very Common | Face value | — |
1999 Proof Dime Values (San Francisco)
Proof dimes were struck exclusively at San Francisco and sold in collector sets — they never circulated. No major error varieties are documented for either 1999-S Proof version. Distinguish clad from silver by checking the edge: clad proofs show a visible copper stripe; silver proofs show none and weigh 2.50 g.
| Type | Mintage | Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-S Clad Proof | 2,543,401 | PR69 DCAM | $3–$6 |
| 1999-S Silver Proof | 804,565 | PR69 DCAM | $12–$25 |
1999 Roosevelt Dime Valuable Errors: Full Identification Guides
The five error types below are confirmed by verified auction records or third-party grading services. Each guide covers how the error happened, how to identify it, what to avoid confusing it with, and what it's worth.
The three primary 1999 dime error categories: wrong planchet (left), missing clad layer (center), off-center strike (right).
1999-D Roosevelt Dime Struck on Lincoln Cent Planchet
Normal 1999-D dime (left) vs. dime struck on a cent planchet (right) showing copper color and distorted profile edge.
Origin & Background
At the Denver Mint, penny and dime production lines run in parallel. For this error to occur, a copper-plated zinc blank intended for a Lincoln Cent — sized at 19 mm — entered the hopper of a press dedicated to striking Roosevelt Dimes (17.91 mm collar). The die struck the oversized blank, producing the Roosevelt design on a distinctly copper-colored planchet. Because the cent blank is wider than the dime collar, the edges may appear cupped or jammed (if the blank sat inside the collar) or flared outward in a broadstruck profile (if it sat on top).
How to Identify
- Weight (definitive): Must be approximately 2.50 g — matching a Lincoln Cent specification. Not the standard dime 2.27 g.
- Color: Distinctly copper-red with genuine mint luster — the cartwheel shimmer of freshly struck metal when rotated under light.
- Shape: Edges may be cupped, jammed, or slightly spread wider than a standard 17.91 mm dime.
- Design: Detail may be distorted or truncated because the larger planchet overfills the die area.
- Magnet test: Should not attract a magnet (copper-zinc planchet). If it does, investigate further for a foreign planchet.
False Positives to Avoid
The number-one impostor is a copper-plated dime from a high-school chemistry experiment (electroplating). These always weigh a normal 2.27 g. Heat-damaged or corroded dimes — recovered from car cup holders, clothes dryers, or the ground — also appear reddish-brown but weigh the standard amount and show dull, porous surfaces under magnification. If it weighs 2.27 g, it is not a wrong planchet error, regardless of color.
Market Values
- $3,000–$7,000 — estimated range for certified examples
- $6,325 — verified auction record (PCGS MS64BN, Heritage Auctions, August 2021)
Auction Record
$6,325 for MS64BN, graded and slabbed by PCGS as "Broadstruck on a Cent Planchet" (Heritage Auctions, August 2021). This coin represents the confirmed ceiling for 1999 dime errors and appeals to both dime and error specialists.
1999 Dime Major Off-Center Strike (>10%)
Off-center 1999 dime showing a crescent of blank planchet and partially shifted Roosevelt portrait.
Origin & Background
An off-center strike happens when the blank planchet is not properly centered over the lower (anvil) die when the upper (hammer) die descends. The design is impressed only onto the portion of the planchet under the die, leaving a crescent of blank, unstruck metal. Verified 1999-P dimes struck 15–20% off-center confirm these errors escape the mint despite modern sensors.
How to Identify
- A clear crescent of blank, rim-less metal is visible where the design should be.
- The struck portion shows full, sharp design detail on that side.
- More than 10% displacement is required for meaningful collector premium.
- The 20–50% range with a readable date is the collector sweet spot.
Off-Center Severity & Value
| Severity | What You See | Raw / Circulated | Certified MS |
|---|---|---|---|
| <5% | Rim slightly thicker on one side; design still reaches edge | Face–$1 | $5–$10 |
| 10–20% | Clear crescent; date or motto may be partial | $5–$15 | $30–$50 |
| 20–50% | Major blank crescent; portrait truncated (sweet spot) | $15–$40 | $50–$100+ |
| >50% | Most design missing; date often gone (undated) | $5–$10 | $20–$40 |
ℹ️ Date Visibility Drives Value
If the "1999" is struck off the planchet, the coin becomes an undated generic off-center dime and trades for significantly less — it cannot be confirmed as a 1999 issue. Always verify the date is visible and legible before assigning premium value.
False Positives to Avoid
Misaligned die strikes (under 5%, design still reaches all edges) carry no premium. Coins with part of the edge ground or punched off after minting are damage, not errors. The Blakesley Effect test (described in the FAQ) helps distinguish genuine clipped planchets from post-mint edge damage.
Auction Record
$45 for a raw 1999-P dime struck approximately 15% off-center (2023 market). A comparable 1981 example certified by a major TPG sold for $129, illustrating the ceiling for quality dated examples.
1999 Dime Missing Clad Layer
Normal clad dime (left) vs. missing obverse clad layer (right) exposing the full copper core beneath.
Origin & Background
The "sandwich" metal used for dimes is bonded at an outside supplier before the blanks reach the mint. Occasionally the bond between the copper core and the nickel-copper outer layer fails during the rolling process. The defective planchet enters the press missing one full face of cladding, and that side is struck with the die against bare copper. This is a true manufacturing defect — not post-mint damage — which is why it commands a premium.
How to Identify
- Weight (critical): Must be approximately 1.8–2.10 g — well below the normal tolerance floor of 2.17 g. The missing layer represents a significant mass reduction.
- One full face is copper-colored; the opposite side retains the normal silver-clad appearance.
- The copper side shows mint flow lines and luster under magnification — smooth, not pitted.
- The copper side may exhibit slightly blurred or weaker design detail from the thinner planchet.
Missing Clad Layer Severity & Value
| Type | Visual Indicator | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Missing Clad | Patchy copper splotches — looks like peeling paint | $5–$20 |
| Full One-Side Missing | Entire face copper; opposite normal; weight ~1.9 g | $40–$150 |
False Positives to Avoid
Environmental damage is the overwhelming false positive. A coin buried in acidic soil or exposed to corrosive chemicals turns reddish-brown or black — but still weighs 2.27 g and has a porous, pitted surface under magnification. Sintered plating from improper annealing creates a baked copper appearance but also retains full weight. Acid-etching (deliberate removal of the clad layer) is also used to fake this error and leaves tool marks at the edges. Weight is the definitive test: 2.27 g = not a missing clad layer, regardless of color.
Auction Record
$129 for a comparable-era Roosevelt Dime with 99% missing obverse and reverse clad layer (Heritage Auctions, 2013 — similar series example). Bright red copper examples in high Mint State grades command the upper range.
1999 Dime Broadstrike
Normal dime rim (left) vs. broadstrike with no raised rim and tapered, spreading edge (right).
Origin & Background
During a normal dime strike, a steel retaining collar surrounds the lower die, keeps the coin perfectly round, and forms the reeded edge. When the collar fails to deploy or is absent, the coin metal spreads outward unconstrained during the strike. The result is a coin slightly wider and flatter than normal, with no raised rim and a rough, outward-tapering edge.
How to Identify
- Measure the diameter with calipers — a broadstrike exceeds the standard 17.91 mm.
- No raised rim — the design flows all the way to the coin edge.
- The edge is rough and tapers outward, not sharp, smooth, or reeded.
- Full design detail is present on both sides (distinguishes it from a worn-down coin).
False Positives to Avoid
"Dryer coins" — dimes tumbled in commercial laundry dryers — have distorted rims that look flat or missing at a glance. Key difference: broadstrikes are larger than standard diameter; dryer coins are typically the same size or smaller, with battered, rounded-inward rims. Calipers resolve this immediately. Also look for a smooth, tapered outward edge on a broadstrike vs. the irregular dents and gouges of a dryer coin.
Auction Record
$20–$30 typical for uncertified examples in the current secondary market. Certification cost often exceeds the coin's value at this price level — see Authentication below.
1999-P Dime Bonded / Split Clad Layer
Bonded clad layer error: copper core visible beneath a partially peeled nickel-clad flap still attached to the coin.
Origin & Background
Similar in origin to a full missing clad layer, but in this case the outer cladding partially separated during or after the strike rather than before it. The result is a coin where the clad layer is visibly peeling, folded, or splitting away from the copper core — still partially attached — creating a dramatic visual effect of a coin coming apart at its layers. Verified for the 1999-P business strike.
How to Identify
- A visible split or peel reveals copper beneath a clad flap that is still attached at one end.
- The separation follows the natural bonding plane between core and cladding — a clean, flat, consistent boundary.
- Under magnification: no tool marks, scoring, or deliberate gouge lines at the separation edge.
- The folded flap may partially obscure design detail on the affected side.
False Positives to Avoid
Post-mint tampering — someone prying or scoring the edge to separate layers — will show tool marks, gouge lines, or irregular depth at the split boundary under magnification. Genuine separations follow the natural bonding plane uniformly and show no mechanical interference. If you see v-shaped score marks or tool impressions at the split edge, it is damage.
Auction Record
A 1999-P dime described as "Clad Layer Struck Off Center, Split After Strike" certified MS60 ANACS sold through Heritage Auctions (2021).
1999 Roosevelt Dime Error Traps: Common Costly Mistakes
These four false alarms account for the vast majority of "errors" reported by beginning collectors. Learn them once and you'll save yourself repeated disappointment.
Heat-damaged dime (left) vs. genuine missing clad layer (right) — similar color but very different weight and surface texture.
⚠️ Heat & Environmental Damage — The "False Copper" Dime
A dark reddish-brown, charcoal, or coppery dime. Commonly found in car cup holders, recovered with a metal detector, or pulled from a clothes dryer.
High heat or corrosive chemicals attack the nickel outer layer and discolor or strip it, exposing or mimicking the copper core. The coin's total mass is unchanged.
- Weigh it: will be 2.17–2.37 g (full normal weight).
- Under 10× magnification: the surface is porous and pitted, not smooth with mint flow lines.
- The discoloration is dull and flat — not the brilliant cartwheel luster of a genuine mint error.
Value: Face value only.
Machine Doubling (flat shelf step, left) vs. True Doubled Die (rounded notch with split serif, right) — use a 10× loupe to distinguish.
⚠️ Machine Doubling — Not a Valuable Doubled Die
The date "1999," mint mark, or lettering appears doubled. Extremely common on high-speed production runs. Sellers on eBay routinely list these as rare DDOs.
Machine Doubling (MD) occurs when the die shifts or bounces slightly on retraction after striking. The secondary impression is flat and shelf-like, reducing (not adding to) the design width.
- Under a 10× loupe: the doubled image is a flat shelf — a step down from the main design.
- True Doubled Die (DDO): doubled image has nearly the same height as the primary; look for split serifs (notches at letter corners).
- MD is effectively smear damage from die movement — it never adds numismatic value.
Value: Face value only.
⚠️ Die Chip "Spitfire" Listings
A small raised blob near Roosevelt's mouth, nose, or the torch — listed online as "RARE SPITFIRE ERROR" with asking prices of $500–$1,000+.
A tiny piece breaks off the die surface, leaving a void that fills with coin metal during striking. These are common die deterioration markers — not recognized varieties.
- PCGS, NGC, and ANACS assign no special designation and no premium for die chips.
- They appear on many different 1999 dimes from the same die — not a unique event.
- Legitimate collector value: $0 to $1 novelty. Not hundreds of dollars.
Value: Face value to $1 (novelty only).
⚠️ Missing Mint Mark — Grease-Filled Die
A 1999 dime where the "P" or "D" mint mark appears faint, weak, or completely absent.
Die lubricant or debris clogs the small cavity that forms the mint mark letter, preventing it from striking up fully. Heavy wear or polishing can also erode the small letter.
- All 1999 business strike dimes carry a P or D mint mark — there is no intended "No Mint Mark" business strike issue.
- A true "No S" proof error (extremely rare, documented for earlier years) would appear only on a proof coin with mirror-polished fields — not on a business strike.
- Missing mint marks from grease fill are minor anomalies, not five-figure rarities.
Value: Face value only.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors: How Grade Affects Value
Grade — the numerical condition assessment on a 70-point scale — can double or triple an error coin's market value. The same wrong planchet dime in MS63 versus MS65 represents a price difference of hundreds of dollars.
High-Wear Check Points for Roosevelt Dimes
- Obverse: Roosevelt's hair above the ear and cheekbone are the first areas to flatten and lose detail from wear.
- Reverse: The top of the torch flame and the horizontal bands across the torch handle wear first.
- Luster: Undisturbed cartwheel luster — the spinning shimmer visible when you rotate the coin under a light source — marks a genuine Mint State coin. Any break in luster on the high points indicates circulation or handling.
Grade Impact on Error Values
- Error coins are graded on both their condition and the drama of the error — a boldly off-center strike in MS65 is worth far more than the same error in VF20.
- For missing clad layers: bright red (RD) copper surfaces command higher premiums than toned brown (BN) examples.
- For wrong planchet errors: the MS64BN auction record of $6,325 establishes the market benchmark.
💡 Never Clean Your Coin
Cleaning — even with gentle products — leaves microscopic hairlines visible under TPG examination and results in a "Details — Cleaned" designation. This permanently reduces market value and makes the coin very difficult to sell at full price. Store in a non-PVC holder and handle by the edge only.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors: When to Get Certified
Third-Party Grading (TPG) services — PCGS, NGC, and ANACS — authenticate and grade coins, then seal them in tamper-evident plastic holders called "slabs." A slab provides proof of authenticity, protects the coin, and makes it far easier to sell at full market value. However, grading is not free: fees typically range from $30 to $60+ per coin when including shipping and handling.
Submit (GO) When:
- Wrong Planchet error — $3,000–$7,000 potential value. Always certify immediately.
- Missing Clad Layer in Mint State with bright red copper — $40–$150+ potential; slab provides authentication against the overwhelming false positive problem.
- Major Off-Center Strike (>30% with visible date) — auction records support certification cost.
- Bonded or Split Clad Layer — $50–$150 range justifies certification.
Skip Certification (STOP) When:
- Minor broadstrikes ($10–$30 value) — grading fees will approach or exceed the coin's market value.
- Off-center strikes under 10% (face value territory).
- Unattributed minor doubled dies with no recognized FS or WDDO designation from PCGS or NGC.
- Any error where potential authenticated value is below $100.
⚠️ Handling Before Submission
Hold error coins by the edge only. Do not clean, polish, or "improve" the coin's appearance under any circumstances. Place immediately in a non-PVC soft flip or hard plastic coin holder. Any cleaning is detectable under TPG examination and results in a "Details" grade that significantly reduces market value.
Dealer referral information is not available in the current data source. Contact PCGS, NGC, or ANACS directly for authorized dealer networks and current submission instructions.
1999 Roosevelt Dime Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable 1999 Roosevelt Dime error?
The 1999-D Dime Struck on a Lincoln Cent Planchet is the undisputed top error for this year. It sold for $6,325 graded MS64BN by PCGS at Heritage Auctions in August 2021. Estimated value range for similar examples is $3,000–$7,000.
My 1999 dime looks copper — how do I know if it's a real error?
Weigh it on a digital scale accurate to 0.01 g. A genuine wrong planchet (cent stock) must weigh approximately 2.50 g. A genuine missing clad layer must weigh 1.8–2.10 g. If it weighs 2.17–2.37 g (the normal tolerance range for a standard dime), it is a damaged or plated dime with no numismatic value — regardless of how copper it looks. Weight is the definitive test.
My 1999 dime has doubled lettering on the date — is it a DDO?
Almost certainly not. The vast majority of date doubling on 1999 dimes is Machine Doubling — a flat, shelf-like step that has zero numismatic value. Under a 10× loupe, Machine Doubling looks like a stair step going downward from the main letter or number. A true Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) shows rounded doubling where both images have nearly equal relief, with notched split serifs at letter corners. No major verified DDO for 1999 dimes commands a significant premium.
What tools do I need to check a 1999 dime for errors?
Four tools cover virtually every diagnostic situation: (1) a digital gram scale accurate to 0.01 g — the most important tool by far; (2) a 10×–20× jeweler's loupe for surface examination; (3) a simple magnet to screen for foreign planchets; and (4) calipers to measure diameter on potential broadstrikes. These four tools can be purchased for under $30 total.
Are 1999-S proof dimes worth anything?
Modestly. The 1999-S Clad Proof (2,543,401 minted) is worth approximately $3–$6 in PR69 DCAM condition. The 1999-S Silver Proof (804,565 minted, 90% silver) commands $12–$25. No major error varieties are documented for either proof version. Values are as of January 2026.
My dime has a "bite" taken out of the edge — is the clip real?
Use the Blakesley Effect to verify. On a genuine clipped planchet, the rim directly opposite the clip will be weak, flat, or tapered — the missing metal at the clip site prevented proper rim formation during the upsetting mill stage. If the rim is sharp and full directly opposite the clip, the "bite" is post-mint damage (punched or ground off), not a genuine mint error.
Why does my 1999 dime have no mint mark?
A missing or faint P or D on a 1999 business strike dime is almost always a Grease-Filled Die — lubricant clogged the tiny mint mark cavity and prevented it from striking up. Heavy wear or polishing can also erase the small letter. Neither adds significant value. A genuine "No S" proof error (an extraordinarily rare event documented for some earlier years) would appear only on a proof coin with mirror-polished fields — not on a circulated business strike.
Is a 1999 dime with a raised blob near Roosevelt's mouth worth anything?
No. That is a die chip — a common die deterioration artifact where a tiny fragment of the die surface breaks away, creating a raised blob of metal on the coin. These are frequently listed on eBay as "Spitfire Errors" at inflated prices. PCGS, NGC, and ANACS assign no special designation and no premium for die chips. Legitimate value: face value to $1 as a novelty item.
Research Methodology & Sources
All values and diagnostics in this guide are sourced from primary numismatic references and verified auction records. No eBay or Etsy pricing was used for valuation. Estimates are current as of January 2026. Prices for minor errors in the secondary market are based on certified auction records where available and noted as anecdotal where not.
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1999-P Roosevelt Dime
- PCGS Auction Prices — 1999-D Cent Planchet Error (MS64BN, $6,325, Heritage 2021)
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1999-S Clad Proof Dime
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1999-S Silver Proof Dime
- Heritage Auctions — 1999-P Bonded Clad Layer Error (MS60 ANACS)
- PCGS Auction Prices — Missing Clad Layer Benchmark (similar Roosevelt Dime era)
- Wexler's Doubled Die Files — Roosevelt Dimes reference
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.
