Which U.S. president’s face graces a dime and has been a symbol of leadership for over half a century? It's none other than Franklin D. Roosevelt, after whom the Roosevelt Dime is named. The Roosevelt Dimes value can be far more than its modest face value if found in rare conditions. The US Mint struck the Roosevelt dime in 1946 and featured one of America’s greatest Presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt, on its obverse.
This coin is special as it was struck as an homage to the late President. However, much like his legacy lives on through other patriotic symbols in the US, the dime is a force that preserves his legacy, while the coin’s historical importance as a circulation currency makes it desirable to investors and collectors.
Let's look at the value of the Roosevelt Dime in today’s market.
Determining Your Roosevelt Dime's Worth
You can determine the value of your Roosevelt Dime by checking its condition; this process is also known as grading. The coins which do not show any visible wear or flatness and are in mint condition have fetched exorbitant prices.
Certification institutions like NGC and PCGS lay down the guidelines for authentication and provide certifications that add to the coin’s value. Other features like the mintmarks that help identify the mint that the coin was struck in, the coin’s rarity, and its errors play a pivotal part in determining its value.
Watch this video that unravels the secrets of what your Roosevelt Dimes value could be:
History and Features of Roosevelt Dimes
Hailed as one of America’s most revered Presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt guided the United States through turmoils such as the Great Depression and World War II. His battle with polio lasted from 1921 till his death in 1945; however, while he was alive, President Roosevelt was instrumental in aiding the March of Dimes organization in their fight against polio.
After he died in 1945, the US Department paid homage to their late President by designing a new dime as a means of preserving his legacy. John R. Sinnock designed the Roosevelt Dime series. The dime’s obverse features Roosevelt’s face facing the left side with the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed around it. The reverse side bears a torch flanked by an olive branch on its left and an oak branch to its right. The words “United States of America” encircle the outer part of the rim.
The Roosevelt dimes consisted of 90% silver and 10% Copper from 1946 till 1964, which was the last year that the 90% silver variety was struck. While the US Mint still produces the Roosevelt dimes, they now possess a new copper-nickel alloy.
Factors Influencing Roosevelt Dime Value
Now that we have understood a bit more about the prominence of the Roosevelt Dimes value, let's look at the major factors that influence them -
Mint Errors: The coins that are minted bearing mistakes like double strikes, off-center strikes, or other oddities can be rare to acquire, hence attracting a higher value as a collectible. The errors add to the exclusivity of the piece, which boosts the value of your Roosevelt dime.
Low Mintage Years: If the dime you possess bears the year when there were only a limited number of the dimes struck by the US Mint, it catapults the Roosevelt Dimes value to great heights, as the limited mintage of the series is desired by collectors.
Condition: Coins that possess better conditions based on their physical appearance play an important role in determining their value, allowing you to command a higher price accordingly. The coin's gradings can range from Poor to Mint State, with coins that possess minimal changes over time fetching the highest prices.
Did You Know?
In August 1921, President Roosevelt was on a vacation in Canada where he suddenly fell ill. Two days later, his body was paralyzed below the neck. His battle towards recovery was long and hard; however, the president was unable to walk. Despite his illness, he founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP), which aimed at fighting polio.
President Roosevelt used his power to voice support for the people battling Polio, urging the people of America to join the cause in the fight against Polio. At this time, singer Eddie Cantor quipped that the people should pledge their support by sending Dimes to the President, aiding him in his cause.
This quip was met with great seriousness, and people sent more than 2.68 million dimes to the White House, which was huge considering the ongoing depression prevailing in the country. The dime value was estimated at $270,000, which today would be worth a staggering $5 million.
Key Dates and Varieties
More than a billion Roosevelt Dimes have been struck since its first edition in 1946. Notably, there are a few versions that garner great popularity for different reasons. Let's take a closer look at some of them that add to the Roosevelt dimes value.
While billions of Roosevelt dimes have been produced since their debut in 1946, a few standout dates make certain dimes particularly valuable. These dates owe their worth to factors like rarity, unique minting features, and historical significance.
1
1949-S Roosevelt Dime
The 1949-S dime holds low mintage numbers, with only about 13.5 million minted. Due to the scarcity of this edition, collectors want this coin. When found in Mint State (uncirculated) condition with “Full Bands” (a mark of quality that shows the horizontal bands on the torch are fully visible and sharply struck), this dime can be worth $65 and $100. The highest-ever recorded sale for a 1949-S dime stands at a staggering $6,000 at auction in 2022.
2
1950-S Roosevelt Dime
The 1950-S Roosevelt Dimes are quite popular and have a similar low mintage kike the others in this list at just over 20 million coins. When found in MS66 condition with Full Bands, it is valued at around $35, as the low mintage and designs make it desirable among collectors.
3
1951 Proof Deep Cameo (DCAM)
Proof dimes from the early 1950s hold immense value as a collector's item, especially when they come in “Deep Cameo” condition, which shows a strong contrast between its frosted design and the shiny background. A higher grade 1951 Roosevelt dime in PR68 Deep Cameo fetched an impressive $23,500 at auction, which shows just how valuable these early proof coins can be.
4
1964-D Doubled Die Reverse
The 1964-D dime with a “doubled die reverse” is another rare dime where a minting error caused the reverse design to appear doubled. This error is not common, making these coins highly collectible. Depending on the condition, a 1964-D doubled die dime can fetch huge prices starting at $300.
5
1996-W Roosevelt Dime
Struck at the West Point Mint that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt dime, the 1996-W dime is very unique. It was only included in Mint Sets and was not released into general circulation, which adds to its value as a collectible. In high grades, the 1996-W can be worth between $10 and $45, making it a favorite for collectors looking for modern Roosevelt dime pieces.
Conclusion
The Roosevelt dimes value goes beyond being just another currency; it symbolizes respect towards one of America’s greatest leaders, their longest-serving President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Dime is a testament to his fight against Polio and his role in America’s fight against the deadly disease. Along with engravings that highlight America’s values, the Roosevelt Dime is a touchstone reflecting American honor.
As we are aware now, Roosevelt dimes value is pretty high for those minted before 1965. Yet, while the current Roosevelt Dimes editions are not highly valuable, as they become rarer as time passes, their market value could increase over a time. Several bullion dealers offer them in multiple or bulk quantities. To discover such deals from multiple dealers all under one roof, you can check out our Bullion Mentor’s platform.
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