Roosevelt Silver Dime 1946-1964

A left-facing profile of Franklin D. Roosevelt occupies most of the obverse space. Inside the smooth rim in front of Roosevelt’s face is the word LIBERTY. IN GOD WE TRUST in smaller letters is positioned below the chin. The date is squeezed into the space inside the rim and beneath the neck truncation, to the right of the designer’s initials JS (The Cold War that followed World War II heightened public fears about the Soviet Union, and a rumor spread that John Sinnock’s initials JS, appearing under Roosevelt’s profile, referred to Joseph Stalin), which are just below and oriented parallel to the edge of the neckline.

Completely encircling inside the reverse smooth rim are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and (slightly larger letters) ONE DIME, the two phrases separated by dots. In the center is a flaming torch, flanked by an oak branch to the right and an olive branch to the left. Forming a horizontal line through the base of the torch and both branches is a partitioned E PLURIBUS UNUM, with dots separating the three Latin words. Roosevelt Silver dimes were minted at Philadelphia, San Francisco (through 1955), and Denver; S and D mintmarks are placed at the left of the base of the torch.

Collectible Roosevelt Silver dimes are common to very common in all circulated grades from VF up to and including MS68. Prices are low for nearly all dates, though some Premium and Superb Gems are expensive. Prices are higher for 1946 DDO, 1947-S DDR, 1949, 1950-S, 1950-S/D, and 1964 Special Mint Set coins, the last considerably more expensive. Prooflike examples and coins with Full Bands on the torch are noted in census/ population reports for many dates. Proofs were minted from 1950 through the end of the series and are available in grades up to and including PR70 for many dates. Cameo and Deep Cameo coins are identified and command higher prices, though still moderate until Premium and Superb Gem grades. Doubled Die varieties for 1960 and 1963 proofs have higher prices.

Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States through both the economic depression of the early 1930s and World War II.

Designer

John R. Sinnock

Circulation Mintage

high 1,357,517,180 (1964-D), low 12,450,181 (1955)

Proof Mintage

3,950,762 (1964), low 51,386 (1950)

Metal content

90% silver, 10% copper

Denomintion

$0.10, Ten cents (10/100)

Weight

±2.5 grams

Diameter

±17.9 mm; reeded edge

Varieties

Approximately 30 doubled-die, repunched mintmark, and other style varieties have been identified, on both circulation and proof coins