Roosevelt Dimes: Key Dates, Errors & Pricing
Discover the key dates, rare errors, historical importance, and collector excitement behind Roosevelt Dimes — the enduring U.S. dime series celebrating American leadership and silver history.
📘 Download the full guide: Numismatics Handbook — A +135-page expert resource on U.S. coin collecting
Why Roosevelt Dimes Matter
Roosevelt Dimes, minted from 1946 to the present, honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy and America’s victory in World War II.
Designed by John R. Sinnock, the dime features:
- Obverse: A dignified portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Reverse: A torch (liberty), olive branch (peace), and oak branch (strength).
Collectors love Roosevelt Dimes for:
🪙 90% Silver Content (pre-1965) — 0.07234 troy ounces per coin.
🔎 Rare Key Dates and Varieties — Like the 1949-S, 1950-S/D, and famous doubled dies.
🧩 Full Bands Challenges — Coins with full horizontal bands on the torch are significantly more valuable.
🔥 Low Barrier to Entry — Start collecting for cheap and upgrade into major rarities.
Whether you collect early silver issues, chase Full Bands rarities, or specialize in modern errors, Roosevelt Dimes offer history, challenge, and steady collector demand.
Roosevelt Dime Values & Key Dates by Year
| Year | Mint Mark | Est. Value (Avg.) | Rare Variant? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949-S | S | $50–$400+ | Semi-Key |
| 1949-D | D | $40–$250+ | Scarcer Date |
| 1950-S/D | S/D | $150–$1,000+ | Overmintmark Rarity |
| 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse | D | $200–$800+ | Major Error |
| 1982 No-P Dime | No Mint | $300–$1,500+ | Missing Mintmark Error |
✅ GoldSilverStacks Tip: Roosevelt Dimes with Full Bands (FB) bring 2x–5x higher prices compared to weak strikes — especially pre-1965 issues!
Key Features of Roosevelt Dimes
✨ Design
John R. Sinnock created a classic, easily recognizable tribute to Roosevelt’s leadership and America’s enduring spirit.
🏛️ Historical Significance
First struck in 1946 to honor FDR’s passing, the Roosevelt Dime remains the longest-running U.S. coin design after the Lincoln Cent.
🛠️ Mintage Periods
- 1946–1964: 90% Silver
- 1965–present: Clad copper-nickel
- Special modern silver proof issues from 1992 onwards.
🥈 Composition
- Pre-1965: 90% Silver, 10% Copper.
- Post-1965: Outer layers of 75% copper, 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core.
💎 Collection Appeal
Highly popular for beginners and veterans alike — you can build a silver set cheaply or chase rare errors and high-grade Full Bands.
✅ Pro Tip: Focus on early silver Full Bands (FB) dimes and rare missing mintmark errors to build serious numismatic value!
Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes (Detailed Breakdown)
- 1950-S/D Overmintmark Dime — $150–$1,000+
- S mintmark punched over D mintmark — rare and highly collectible.
- 1949-S Roosevelt Dime — $50–$400+
- Lowest mintage regular silver dime.
- 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse — $200–$800+
- Strong doubling seen on “ONE DIME” lettering.
- 1982 No-P Roosevelt Dime — $300–$1,500+
- Missing “P” mintmark on Philadelphia issue — highly sought after.
- 1975 No-S Proof Dime — $300,000+
- Extremely rare modern proof error — only a few exist.
Comparison: Roosevelt Dimes vs Mercury Dimes
| Feature | Roosevelt Dimes (1946–Present) | Mercury Dimes (1916–1945) |
|---|---|---|
| Obverse Design | Roosevelt Portrait | Winged Liberty Head |
| Reverse Design | Torch, Olive & Oak Branch | Roman Fasces |
| Composition | 90% Silver (pre-1965), then clad | 90% Silver |
| Key Rarities | 1950-S/D, 1982 No-P | 1916-D, 1942/1 |
| Collector Demand | Steady for Silver Issues | Extremely High |
✅ GoldSilverStacks Insight: Mercury Dimes are artistically stronger, but Roosevelt Dimes dominate modern error and mintmark collecting!
Common Roosevelt Dime Errors and Varieties
🛠️ Major Roosevelt Dime Errors:
- 1950-S/D Overmintmark — Popular among VAM and mint error hunters.
- 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse — Strong doubling on reverse lettering.
- 1982 No-P Dime — First U.S. circulation coin missing a mintmark.
- 1975 No-S Proof Dime — Legendary ultra-rarity.
- Off-Center Strikes — Premiums rise if date is visible.
✅ Error Tip: Look for errors certified by PCGS/NGC — they consistently sell for much higher premiums!
How to Sell Roosevelt Dimes
Step 1: Identify Rare Dates, Full Bands, and Errors
Key rarities and Full Bands coins command strong premiums.
Step 2: Grade Appropriately
Higher-grade MS65+ coins, especially with Full Bands, sell for much higher amounts.
Step 3: Pick the Best Marketplace
- eBay: Common silver dimes and bulk lots.
- GreatCollections: Mid- to high-grade certified examples.
- Heritage Auctions: Elite rarities and error coins.
✅ Selling Tip: Clear photos of the bands, torch, date, and mintmark are essential to getting top bids!
How to Store and Preserve Roosevelt Dimes
🏛️ Use Archival Holders — Acid-free flips, capsules, or slabs.
🌡️ Stable Storage — Cool, dry conditions prevent tarnish and spotting.
🧤 Handle Carefully — Always hold edges; avoid skin oils.
🧽 Never Clean! — Natural surfaces and toning matter more.
✅ Bonus: Attractive toning on early silver Roosevelts can sometimes boost sale prices by 20–50%!
Frequently Asked Questions About Roosevelt Dimes
What are Roosevelt Dimes?
Roosevelt Dimes are U.S. ten-cent coins first minted in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They feature his portrait on the obverse and a torch flanked by olive and oak branches on the reverse. Early versions (1946–1964) are composed of 90% silver.
Are Roosevelt Dimes made of silver?
Only Roosevelt Dimes minted between 1946 and 1964 contain 90% silver and 10% copper. Dimes minted from 1965 onward are composed of a copper-nickel clad layer bonded to a pure copper core, containing no silver unless they are special proofs.
What are the most valuable Roosevelt Dimes?
The most valuable Roosevelt Dimes include the 1950-S/D Overmintmark, 1949-S low mintage issue, 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse, 1982 No-P error, and the extremely rare 1975 No-S Proof Dime. Mint State Full Bands examples also command huge premiums.
What is a “Full Bands” Roosevelt Dime?
A Full Bands Roosevelt Dime shows complete, uninterrupted horizontal bands across the torch on the reverse. This indicates a strong strike and careful production. Full Bands coins are much rarer than normal Mint State examples and often sell for 2–5 times more.
How can I tell if my Roosevelt Dime is valuable?
Check the date, mintmark, and strike quality. Pre-1965 silver dimes have intrinsic bullion value. Coins with Full Bands, missing mintmarks (like the 1982 No-P), strong doubling (like 1964-D DDR), and elite grades (MS65+) bring major collector premiums.
What is the rarest Roosevelt Dime?
The rarest Roosevelt Dime is the 1975 No-S Proof Dime, an ultra-rare error where the San Francisco mintmark was omitted. Only a few examples are known, and they have sold for upwards of $300,000 at auction.
Are Roosevelt Dimes good for silver stacking?
Yes! Pre-1965 Roosevelt Dimes are an excellent and affordable way to stack silver. Each contains about 0.07234 troy ounces of silver, making rolls and bulk lots a practical, low-premium option for silver investors.
Should I clean my Roosevelt Dimes?
No. Cleaning Roosevelt Dimes, especially older or valuable ones, can strip natural luster and damage the surfaces, reducing their numismatic value. Collectors prefer coins with original toning or natural wear, even if tarnished.
Where is the best place to sell Roosevelt Dimes?
You can sell Roosevelt Dimes on eBay for circulated silver or common coins. For rare dates, Full Bands, or error coins, consider specialized auction houses like GreatCollections or Heritage Auctions to achieve higher sale prices.
Are modern Roosevelt Dimes collectible?
While post-1965 Roosevelt Dimes made of clad are not typically valuable for silver content, there is strong collector demand for certain modern errors, missing mintmarks, high-grade proofs, and registry-quality coins, especially Full Torch/Full Bands examples.