Silver Roosevelt Dime Values

San Francisco Mint Silver Roosevelt Dime

San Francisco mint struck Roosevelt dimes of the silver variety from 1946 to 1955 when the mint closed coinage operations. Over 288 million dimes, lowest total of the three mints striking dimes of the silver variety. A small "S mintmark is on the reverse at the base of the torch, to identify its production.

Denver Mint Silver Roosevelt Dime

Denver leads in total number of silver Roosevelt dimes. 4.7 billion coins, far outnumbering both the main Philadelphia mint and San Francisco branch. These are available in quantities both in circulated and mint state condition. Denver's mintmark, a small "D" is on the reverse at the base of the torch.

Philadelphia Mint Silver Roosevelt Dime

Philadelphia, the main mint, struck silver dimes in each year; 1946 to 1964 producing over 2.6 billion pieces. Philadelphia is also known for the lowest number minted for any single year and mint variety. A 12,828,381 mintage of 1955, lowest of the silver Roosevelt dime variety. No mintmark was use during the silver series by Philadelphia. At the base of the torch on the reverse, if no mintmark is present Philadelphia struck the coin.

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Traces of wear to the surface decides if a coin is uncirculated or a lower grade. First signs of wear are visible by the removal of luster across high points of the coin. Luster, a delicate fine grain to the metal produces the shine and is the original surface of the coin when minted.

Centrally located and high in relief is the hair over Roosevelt's ear. Inspect closely to detect any smoothing to the metal.

Dulling of the cheek below the eye is a sign of wear. A fine-grained surface needs to remain on the upper contours of the cheek, jaw line, and Roosevelt's neck. Compare lower areas of contours of the face to match higher areas for matching qualities of luster and texture.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A reverse free of wear requires absence of smoothing from high areas of the touch flame and leaves on both sides of the touch.

A broad surface at the base of the flame is high in relief with tips of flames prone to first wear. A consistent shine and luster is present to the surface on a Mint State grade dime.

Fine details are horizontal bands at both the top and bottom of the torch. Judge the surface of these bands is free of any smoothing to the metal and matches surrounding surfaces.

Leaf edges are next viewed for evidence of wear. No smoothing to the metal confirms the grade.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A slight amount of wear is visible on a coin in Extremely Fine condition. Wear is limited to only the high contour areas.

Inspect the hair just above Roosevelt's ear. A few of the fine lines have disappeared. A small flat area is now in place of these lines. Hair remains well detailed towards the top of his head and along the back.

Roosevelt's cheek just below the eye displays a smooth surface with just a small flat area.

Looking closely at the outer edge of Roosevelt's ear, the once rounded edge is flattened.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Light wear has replaced mint luster on high areas of the design and dulled the shine of most letters.

Wear is evident in the flame. A small flat area is in the center of the flame; however, detail remains separating the individual flames.

Two horizontal bands across the vertical lines of the handle to the torch are well defined and raised.

Vertical lines of the torch handle are visible. Weakness of these lines is often found with just a few lines merged. A sharp looking torch must remain.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Wear is beginning to create a slight "faded" look to a dime in Fine condition.

Hair details and lines remain in Roosevelts hair although the area just behind the forehead is very smooth and lacking details.

Contours of the face are weakened by wear. A separation of the forehead and temple remains. Contours defining the separation of cheek and jaw are very slight.

Inner edge of the ear is now merged with the outer edge creating a wide flat line to the ear.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Most of the fine inner lines to the torch, flame, and leaves are missing.

Once with inner detail, the torch flame is now flat.

Horizontal bands at the top and bottom of the torch handle are worn smooth.

Vertical lines of the torch are mostly merged; a few details show towards edges.

Leaves are flat, no central detail. Each leaf is defined from the next.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: An outline of Roosevelt remains. Wear has removed most detail to his portrait.

Hair is worn smooth leaving just an outline to the ear.

Letters of "Liberty" are faint towards the top. Some of the letters are beginning to connect to the rim.

Date is readable. Often the last digit is weak but readable.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Outlines remain of the torch, leaves of the two branches and flame of torch.

The rim is weak in areas but mostly complete.

Tops of lettering is worn to becoming faint in places.

Edges of leaves are worn and merged forming flat clusters.

Most collections of the silver era Roosevelt dime are focused on mint state examples. Coins with no wear to the surface, boldly struck, and few marks. Realize within the mint state grade there are levels of preservation. Brighter luster, fewest marks, and overall eye appeal are considered.

Gem quality mint state dimes are highest in demand. These high-end coins are sent to grading services to encapsulate and grade. Once an impartial judgement of grade is made and the coin in in the holder of the service, acceptance of grade in the market improves. A wide value range becomes narrow. Coins outside a grading service holder are also traded in the market, generally a slightly less quality mint state dime.

The small letters "JS" at the base of Roosevelt's portrait, next to the date, are the designer's initials. John R. Sinnock was supervisor of all die work at the Philadelphia mint at the time. He personally designed the obverse and reverse, sculpted the model, and engraved the dies for the Roosevelt dime. A long-time designer and engraver at the mint, Mr. Sinnock also designed the Franklin Half dollar of 1948 and commemorative coins dating back to 1925.

More Dime Values

Dime Values listed for Bust, Liberty Seated, Barber and Mercury Dimes. Match your coins to the Variety images, date and mintmark, and grading images. Determine a narrow range from the value charts.