What it is
In 1982 the Mint forgot to punch the P into at least one Philadelphia dime die. Since every Philadelphia dime from 1980 should carry a P, coins without it are a recognized error.
How to identify it
- No mint mark above the date on the obverse.
- Copper-nickel clad, weighing about 2.27 g.
- Strong and weak strike versions exist.
A 5x to 10x loupe and good, angled light make the details much easier to see. For anything that looks genuine, a digital scale and a certified comparison coin help.
What gets mistaken for it
Grease filling the die can hide a mint mark and the mark can be worn or scraped away. A genuine No P coin has a smooth, undisturbed field where the P would be.
The regular 1982-P coin
The variety appears on the 1982-P Roosevelt Dime, which had a total mintage of 519,475,000. That figure counts the whole issue, so it does not tell you how many coins show the variety.
Why a P went missing in 1982
Apart from the wartime nickels, the P mint mark first appeared on the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar and was added to the nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar in 1980. In 1982 mint marks were still punched into each working die by hand after the die was made. The step was missed on at least one Philadelphia dime die, which went into service with no P. Coins struck from it look like ordinary 1982 dimes except for the empty space above the date.
The Mint later began adding mint marks to the master die, starting with proof dies in 1985 and circulation dies around 1990. That change made this kind of error far less likely.
How the coins were found
The coins entered circulation in 1982 and collectors soon noticed dimes with no mint mark at all. They came from a working die, believed to be a single one, that had been put into service without its P. The error became one of the best-known modern missing mint mark coins and a regular entry in the major references.
Strong and weak strikes
Two main versions are collected. The strong strike shows sharp details in Roosevelt's hair and ear and crisp lettering, while the weak strike has softer details, especially in the hair and around the rim. The strong strike is more desirable. Grading services can note the strike type on the label.
A step-by-step check
Use a 10x loupe and a lamp shining across the obverse at a low angle. Look at the field above the date, between the date and the bottom of Roosevelt's neck. On a genuine coin the field there is smooth, with the same luster or wear as the rest of the field. Tilt the coin: any dull patch, ring, scratches or tool marks suggest the P was removed.
Next, check the edge for the copper stripe of a clad coin. Then compare the hair and ear with a known 1982-P dime to judge whether your coin is a strong or weak strike.
Other look-alikes
A 1982-D dime with its D filled by grease is the most common false find. Under strong light a faint outline of the mint mark is often visible. A filled mint mark can leave a slight bump in the field. A dime with a mint mark that has been scraped or ground off shows a disturbed field.
Dimes from before 1968 had their mint mark on the reverse. Philadelphia used no mint mark at all before 1980. Do not mistake those coins for missing mint mark errors.
Grades collectors look for
Many No P dimes circulated before they were recognized, so circulated examples are common. Uncirculated coins with full luster are more desirable. Strong strike Uncirculated coins are the most sought after. Roosevelt dimes are also graded for Full Torch, the designation for complete horizontal bands on the reverse torch. A No P dime with Full Torch bands is especially desirable.
Authentication
PCGS and NGC certify the 1982 No P dime and the variety is listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide. Because a removed mint mark is easy to create, buy only certified examples and check the certification number.
Other missing mint mark coins
The 1982 No P dime belongs to a small group of modern coins that left the Mint without the mint mark they should have had. Others include the 1968, 1970, 1975 and 1983 No S proof dimes, the 1971 No S proof nickel and the 1990 No S proof cent. The 1982 is the one most collectors can realistically find in circulation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime?
No mint mark above the date on the obverse. Copper-nickel clad, weighing about 2.27 g. If your coin passes these checks, have it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling.
Is the 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime valuable?
Genuine examples sell for a premium over regular coins of the same date. The amount depends on how strong the variety is, the coin's condition and whether it is certified. Compare recent sold auction results for certified coins in the same grade.
What is a missing mint mark?
A missing mint mark error occurs when the mint mark was left off a die that should have had one, or was filled with grease during striking. Read more about missing mint marks.
What is the difference between the strong and weak 1982 No P dime?
The strong strike has sharp hair and lettering, while the weak strike has softer details. Collectors prefer the strong strike.
Why do some 1982 dimes have no mint mark?
Mint marks were punched into each die by hand. One Philadelphia dime die was used without its P. Every coin from that die lacks the mint mark.