Description

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. president, is featured on this ten cent piece. The obverse side also has the legend "Liberty" along the rim, the motto "In God We Trust" and the date of issue. The reverse design is a flaming torch and two different branches of leaves, olive leaves to the left and oak leaves to the right. It also includes "United States of America", the stated value of "One Dime" and the motto "E Pluribus Unum". This design was first used in 1946 and is still in use today.

General Information

John R. Sinnock designed the Roosevelt dime. His initials "JS" appear on the obverse at the base of Roosevelt's bust. This dime is just under 18 mm in size.

Roosevelt dimes minted from 1946 to 1964 are 90% silver and 10% copper. These silver dimes contain about .0724 ounces of silver.

Roosevelt dimes produced from 1965 to date are a copper-nickel clad composition. The clad coins are a sandwich of nickel and copper on the outside and copper on the inside. If you look at the reeded edge of a modern dime you will see a copper middle in between the layers of the coin.

The early Roosevelt dimes made for circulation were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints. The dimes made at Denver and San Francisco Mints display either a "D" or "S" mint mark. The pre-1980 Roosevelt dimes struck at the Philadelphia Mint do not have a mint mark. Beginning in 1981, the "P" mint mark was added to obverse of the dime to indicate that the dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

In 1996 a special issue dime was struck at the Wespoint Mint with a "W" mint mark to celebrate 50 years of the circulating Roosevelt dime. The "W' mint mark dime was originally only available to collectors in 1996 mint sets.

The mint mark, if any, on older silver Roosevelt dimes minted from 1946 to 1964 is located on the reverse near the bottom and to the left of the torch. Roosevelt dimes struck from 1965 to 1967 were all produced at the Philadelphia Mint and do not display a mint mark. The mint mark on modern dimes produced from 1968 to date is located on the obverse just above the date.

Author's Notes & Comments

The key date for the Roosevelt dime series, struck for circulation, is the 1949-S. It is most valuable in uncirculated grades. An uncirculated 1949-S dime can fetch a price, depending upon grade and eye appeal, anywhere from $10.00 to $50.00 or more. Circulated specimens, showing signs of wear, are worth much less but still command a small premium above the silver melt value.

Varieties

In 1982, one of the dies used to strike the Philadelphia dimes had missed being punched with a mint mark. This highly sought after "1982 no mint mark" variety commands a premium price in nearly all grades although it is most desired in uncirculated condition. Worn and circulated examples may be easily faked. When purchasing this dime from a dealer, look for an example that is well struck with absolutely no trace of a mint mark.