The 1964 Roosevelt dime is the last year the U.S. Mint produced dimes in 90% silver. After 1964, the Coinage Act of 1965 replaced silver with copper-nickel clad — and Americans who saw it coming hoarded 1964 dimes by the roll. Over 2.28 billion were struck, the largest silver dime mintage in history, and a disproportionate number survived in high grades because so many went straight from the bank into storage.
That combination — record mintage plus mass hoarding — makes the 1964 dime simultaneously the most common silver dime and one of the most available in uncirculated condition.
Quick Facts
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper (2.5 grams)
- Silver Content: 0.0723 troy ounces per coin
- Live Melt Value: $5.25
- Total Mintage: 2,286,877,180 (Philadelphia: 929.4M / Denver: 1,357.5M)
This guide is part of our Dime Values by Year Guide.
1964 Dime Value by Mint Mark and Grade
Standard circulation strikes command modest premiums above melt in lower grades, with meaningful numismatic premiums beginning around XF-40:
| Grade | 1964-P | 1964-D |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | $5.45 | $5.09 |
| VG-8 | $5.50 | $5.50 |
| F-12 | $5.52 | $5.56 |
| VF-20 | $5.74 | $5.78 |
| VF-35 | $6.18 | $6.32 |
| XF-40 | $9.00 | $9.50 |
| AU-50 | $11.00 | $12.00 |
| MS-63 | $14.00 | $16.00 |
| MS-65 | $18.00 | $22.00 |
| MS-65 FB | $24.00 | $30.00 |
Proof 1964 dimes: Standard proof $15–$17. Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof $35–$65+.
Full Bands (FB) means the horizontal bands on the torch reverse are sharp and unbroken — a strike quality detail that wears away quickly. FB designation adds a 20–50% premium at any given Mint State grade.
Values in lower grades track melt value closely because the coin is so common that numismatic premium is minimal until you reach XF and above. The values above update with live silver spot — see our silver coin melt value calculator for other denominations.
Why 1964 Is the Last Silver Dime
By the early 1960s, U.S. silver reserves were declining rapidly under pressure from industrial demand, international obligations, and rising precious metals prices. President Johnson signed the Coinage Act of 1965 on July 23, 1965, eliminating silver from dimes, quarters, and half dollars.
Word spread fast. Banks reported unprecedented requests for rolls of new 1964 dimes. Families set aside coins by the handful. The result: millions of 1964 dimes spent the last six decades in paper rolls and private storage, preserving original mint luster and sharpness at rates far beyond what normally survives from any circulation-strike coin.
For collectors, that means gem MS-65 and MS-66 examples exist in quantities that would be unthinkable for earlier Roosevelt dime dates. A 1950-D Roosevelt dime (mintage: 50.5 million) in MS-65 is a serious find. A 1964-P (mintage: 929 million) in MS-65 is readily available. The scarcity — and the value — lives in the varieties.
1964 SMS Dimes: The Rare Exception
While standard 1964 dimes are common in every grade, the 1964 SMS (Special Mint Set) dime is one of the most sought-after Roosevelt dime varieties in existence.
SMS coins were special presentation pieces with mirror-like fields and frosted cameo devices — visually distinct from both regular strikes and standard proofs. The 1964 SMS program was extremely limited, with an estimated 20–50 sets produced. These were reportedly distributed to Mint officials and dignitaries. Most are believed lost or destroyed.
Documented survivors and values:
| Grade | Known Examples | Value |
|---|---|---|
| SP-66 | ~4 | $8,500 |
| SP-67 | ~13 | $11,500 |
| SP-68 | ~3 | $20,000 |
No 1964 SMS dimes have been authenticated above SP-68. The total known population across all grades is roughly 20 coins.
Numismatic historians trace the surviving examples to Eva Adams, Director of the U.S. Mint from 1961 to 1969 and the first woman to hold the position. When her collection was dispersed, a handful of 1964 SMS dimes entered the market, creating intense competition among advanced collectors. With the population essentially fixed, prices have climbed steadily.
Only buy 1964 SMS dimes that are authenticated and graded by PCGS or NGC. The premium is too high and the counterfeiting risk too real to purchase raw.
Error Varieties Worth Looking For
Beyond the SMS pieces, several 1964 error varieties carry premiums:
Doubled dies are the most collected. Look for doubling in the date digits, “LIBERTY” lettering, or Roosevelt’s profile on the obverse, and on the torch details or “ONE DIME” text on the reverse. The 1964-D/D (repunched mint mark) is a recognized variety. Doubled die specimens bring $25–$250+ depending on the strength and visibility of the doubling.
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet isn’t properly centered between the dies. A 10–15% off-center 1964 dime with a full date is worth $15–$50. Dramatically off-center examples (25%+) with the date still visible bring $50–$150+.
Die cracks and cuds — raised lines or blobs of metal from deteriorating dies — are worth $20–$100+ to error specialists when the cud is prominent.
Identifying Silver vs. Clad Dimes
The fastest method is the edge. A 1964 silver dime shows a solid silver-colored edge — uniform all the way through. A 1965 or later clad dime shows three visible layers: a copper core sandwiched between nickel-silver outer layers. Once you’ve seen the difference, it’s unmistakable.
Weight is the other tell: 2.50 grams (silver) vs. 2.268 grams (clad). A pocket digital scale resolves it instantly.
For a full guide to which years contain silver across all dime series, see What Dimes Contain Silver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my 1964 dime worth anything?
Every 1964 dime is worth at least its silver melt value — currently $5.25. In circulated grades, expect $5.74 to $12 depending on condition. Uncirculated examples run $12–$30+. The rare SMS variety is worth $8,500–$20,000.
Is 1964 the last silver dime?
Yes. The Coinage Act of 1965 removed silver from dimes and quarters entirely. Every US dime from 1965 forward is copper-nickel clad with no silver content. For more, see our guide on which dimes contain silver.
Why are 1964 dimes so common in high grades?
Mass hoarding. Americans stockpiled 1964 dimes when they learned silver was being eliminated, preserving millions of coins in rolls and storage for decades.
What is Full Bands (FB)?
Sharp, unbroken horizontal bands on the torch reverse — a strike quality detail that wears quickly. FB specimens are scarcer at every grade level and command 20–50% premiums.
Should I clean my 1964 dime?
No. Cleaning reduces value and can result in rejection by professional graders. Even light cleaning is detectable and substantially diminishes numismatic premium.
Related Guides
- Dime Values by Year Guide — Complete reference for all Roosevelt dimes
- Silver Coin Melt Values — Calculate the silver content of your coins
- What Dimes Contain Silver — Which years have silver, which don’t
- 1965 Roosevelt Dime: SMS, Errors & No Mint Mark — The first clad dime
- 1975 “No S” Proof Silver Dime – Rare San Francisco Mint Proof Error Variety
- 5 Valuable Roosevelt Dimes in Your Change — Key dates and varieties worth money
- 90% Silver Coins Guide — Constitutional silver basics
Last Updated: April 2026. Values reflect current market conditions. Coin values fluctuate with silver prices and collector demand. For authentication or professional appraisal of exceptional specimens, consult PCGS or NGC.
