Have you ever heard the expression, "Whatever can happen, will happen"? Well, when the Philadelphia Mint started using the "P" mintmark on its coins (not on cents) in 1980, many people, including this collector, started looking for coins with missing mintmarks. After the discovery of 1968, 1970, 1971, and 1975 No "S" Proof Sets, most serious error collectors agreed that it was just a matter of time before a major "missing mintmark event" would take place. We didn't have to wait very long!

In 1982, the Mint was busy with a number of new projects. Commemorative coin varieties were again being produced and a number of changes were being carried out on several regular coin issues. New hubbing techniques, changes in font sizes (lg date/sm date cents), as well as changes in the Lincoln cent's metalic composition, and numerous design element enhancements to other varities. All of these projects, as well as coin production for U.S.Territorial Possessions, and foreign customers (U.S.still strikes coins for about sixteen foreign countries), had the Mint busier than normal. With so much going on, it is easy to understand how a single 1982 obverse die for Roosevelt dimes was produced and subsequently put into production without having been mintmarked. Since all of the known examples can be traced to the Cleveland Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank as a release point,  it is assumed that the origin of these coins was the Philadelphia Mint and not the Denver facility.

The first pieces to show up were discovered in Sandusky, Ohio, on 1/26/83. Several more were found on 1/29/83, also in Sandusky. During the ensuing months, a total of 8,000-10,000 pieces showed up, all traceable to a shipment sent to a Sandusky amusement park. In August 1983, about 5,000 additional pieces showed up in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Since then, no other release points have surfaced. The official production estimate is 14,000-15,000 coins. This makes the 1982 No "P" dime the lowest mintage regular production dime in more than 100 years! Since almost all known pieces are EF or better, there isn't a lot of pricing difference at this time, except for higher MS and "Full Band" specimens. As of yet, no album makers have created a space for this coin, but industry sources hint that Whitman is considering doing so. When this happens, LOOK OUT ! This coin will rapidly increase in value. As a comparison, there are about 30,000 known examples of the 1942/41 Mercury dime, and 15,000 known examples of the 1955/55 Double-Die Lincoln cent. Have you ever heard the old expression, "HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST" ?

If you feel that this guide was informative or in any way helpful, I would greatly appreciate your taking a few moments to check the YES box at the bottom of this page. All information sources are available upon request. (mintex03)