Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 11/18/2024: Gold $2585 | Silver $30.60
Collector quality has potential to add to 1963 dime value. Already strong because of silver content vintage Roosevelts dimes are worth $2.05 each. This base value moves with precious metal prices. Currently 11/18/2024 silver trades in the $30.60 per ounce range.
Condition is the important factor in spotting a higher end 1963 dime. Following steps and comparing to images helps separate those trading based on metal content from a quality sought by collectors with premiums awarded.
Steps Leading to Value:
1963 Dime Value | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Condition of Coin | ||||
Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Mint State |
Roosevelt Dime Values Updated | 11/18/2024 | |||
1963 | $2.05 | $2.05 | $2.05 | $2.52 |
1963 D | $2.05 | $2.05 | $2.05 | $2.52 |
A view of the chart first identifies both date and mint variety followed by condition. Steps below insure completeness and accuracy.
Demand for silver coinage was growing in 1963. To meet the need over 545 million dimes were struck. 1963 Roosevelt dimes are today very abundant. Their silver content provides a strong base to value. Young collectors seek the coins as an old silver era collectible. Advanced collections are formed placing high grade examples into a set.
Two mints produced these dimes and both are recognized and listed on value charts separately.
"D" Mintmark on Reverse: Denver Mint Struck the Coin
In the silver era of the Roosevelt dime, the Denver mint routinely produced the largest amount per year. 1963 numbers topped 421 million, the fourth largest total of any mint variety. Commonly found in circulated condition, these trade at the base silver value. Grading the condition of the coin decides if there is any collector worth.
Denver coinage is identified by the "D" mintmark found on the reverse. Looking at the base of the torch, on the left, the "D" mintmark is the Denver mint variety.
No Mintmark on Reverse: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin
Philadelphia production of 1963 dimes was over 123 million released into circulation. An abundant amount of these remains today. With large quantities available they trade in bulk; value is based on the daily price of silver. Of the millions struck, only the small fraction in very high mint state condition is awarded a collector premium above silver value.
Listed separately on the chart, a Philadelphia dime is confirmed by no mintmark on the reverse. Philadelphia did not use a mintmark at the time. At the base of the torch, if the left side is without a mintmark the dime was struck at the Philadelphia mint.
Bullion quality 1963 dimes are abundant, less abundant are collector quality examples. It is these high condition coins in demand by collectors. The two main categories are important to recognize, they represent the main value differences. Grading is the process to identify the ranges of conditions.
Condition of the coin is closely examined and compared to images. Examples of grades plus their description highlight the areas to focus on and deciding factors separating the grades. Grades are used to define condition and are represented on value charts.
Mint State: Collector quality Roosevelt dimes are those without wear to the surface. No Wear - is the definition of a Mint State dime. A couple of key areas are closely inspected to determine the grade.
High points of the design and open areas are very quickly worn when a coin is in circulation. First to wear is the delicate texture of the luster. Roosevelt's cheek below the eye is a high and contoured feature. Notice the example image shows a textured surface of the cheek with no dulling of the luster. Wear smooths the metal causing a different color tone when compared to lower relief areas.
Helping confirm the mint state condition is the jaw also retains both texture of metal and a shine similar to low areas and the high-profile cheek. Examine your coin under a light, tilt up and down slowly to see the luster move across the surface. No breaks, dulling of the metal, or smoothing of luster is a quality coin.
Extremely Fine: Once the shine - luster of a coin is worn it becomes a circulated condition piece. Stages of wear are noted by the amount of detail remaining. Light wear only on the very high parts of the design is a dime in Extremely Fine grade.
The cheek is a good area to help judge wear on a Roosevelt dime. His cheek is a high relief point with a rounded profile, originally no flatness to the design. A slight amount of wear removes both the shine and a small amount of the high point. On the example imaged the cheek is a slightly different color tone because of the smoothness of the metal. Reduction of the cheek is also seen, a small flat area.
Also, the jaw is showing signs of smoothing near the ear. Remaining is a lower relief area separating the jaw from the cheek and helping confirm the Extremely Fine grade.
Bullion Condition Quality: Moderate to heavy wear places a 1963 dime below collector quality. These visibly worn coins trade based on bullion value tied to their silver content.
Moderate wear is recognizable by the lack of fine details within the hair. Flat areas are also noticeable on the facial features.
Roosevelt's cheek is now a flat area below the eye. The contour is well worn and smooth in texture. His jaw is smooth and flat from the chin to ear. Flatness to the forehead, cheek, and jaw is lowering condition below the Extremely Fine grade.
Further wear and connecting of the flat areas of cheek and jaw indicates a heavily worn dime. Extensive wear has lowered the eye appeal of these coins.
All silver dimes have a strong base value. Condition is one of the key parts to higher value. A description of subtle points about condition is needed to identify the grade and in-demand collector quality dime.
Video, Images and Descriptions | Grading Roosevelt Dimes
Collections of Roosevelt dimes are centered around collecting themes. As an example, a complete date and mintmark collection extending from the beginning; 1946 to present. This collection represents every date and mint issue since the start of the series. An entire set is a popular pursuit of many collectors that includes the early silver issues and the current clad alloy coins.
Themes within the now long running Roosevelt series is another direction a collection can take. Popular are the silver era dimes minted 1946 to 1964. A sub-set of 90% silver alloy dimes represents an older time with all coins of precious metal. These silver sets contain lower mintage issues, three different mint varieties of many years, including San Francisco mint dimes. Many of these sets are assembled in Mint State condition.
Further defining a silver era set of dimes is the condition - grade of the coins included. Higher end collections feature all examples in the top mint state grades. These sets are a dedicated commitment to high quality and an in-depth study of the series.
A less costly alternative to a new collector are coins in circulated condition.
An affordable and enjoyable theme collection is a silver era set of Roosevelt dimes in lightly circulated condition. Here a complete date and mint variety set is completable by a beginning collector to the hobby. Searching for that 'right coin" properly selected for just light circulation wear and pleasing looks develops collecting skills. A collection when complete contains 48 silver dimes and a rewarding experience.
Visualize your silver dimes as a collector sees them. Pleasing coins stand out to the eyes of a collector. New and beginning hobbyist are in the learning stage of appreciating aesthetics. Advanced collectors with a developed eye for quality reward premiums to nice coins.
Silver value is the base to 1946 to 1964 dimes. Collector quality coins are just lightly worn or better condition. Within these higher condition coins are those with pleasing eye appeal causing them to stand out. Recognizing even coloration, lack of marks to the surface, and fine detail easily seen, spots a quality collectible.
References
U.S. Mint. 1964 U.S. Mint Annual Report. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514149
Date by Date
In Depth Roosevelt Dime Values
1946 to 1964
Roosevelt Dime Values | Early Silver Era
Roosevelt dime values of the early silver years, 1946 to 1964 are a premium coin because of silver content. These early dimes are 90% silver and move with the price of precious metals. Currently worth $2.05 each. Dates and mint varieties are listed on value charts with a step-by-step process to determine condition and how much they are worth.
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