Silver Coin Melt Value Calculator · 1946-1964 Roosevelt Silver Dime Values

Determining the current price of 1946-1964 Roosevelt Silver Dime Values is a straightforward process once you know the silver content, the weight, and the current market rate, often referred to as the spot price.

Description		Face Value	ASW	Per Coin	Per $1 Face	Per Bankroll
Today's Silver Price
Roosevelt Dime	1946-1964 Roosevelt Dime	$0.10	0.0715	$5.20	$52.04	$260.19

Roosevelt Silver Dime Melt Value

The Roosevelt Silver Dime is one of the most widely held 90% silver coins in the United States, minted from 1946 through 1964 as a tribute to President Franklin D. Roosevelt following his death in April 1945. Recognizable, affordable, and easy to authenticate, the Roosevelt silver dime remains a cornerstone of junk silver investing and a popular entry point for new collectors and bullion buyers alike.

Each coin contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver, making melt value calculations straightforward. This guide covers everything you need to know — from silver content and melt value formula to key dates, rare varieties, and investment considerations.

Quick Facts About the Roosevelt Silver Dime

Specification	Details
Designer	John R. Sinnock (initials "JS" on obverse)
Minted Years (Silver)	1946–1964
Silver Content	90% silver, 10% copper
Actual Silver Weight (ASW)	0.07234 troy ounces
Weight	2.50 grams
Diameter	17.91 mm
Thickness	1.35 mm
Edge	Reeded (118 reeds)
Face Value	$0.10
Melt Value	0.07234 × Spot Price of Silver

Design Overview

Obverse: A left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the date. Designer John R. Sinnock's initials "JS" appear below the neck truncation.
Reverse: Features a torch (liberty) flanked by an olive branch (peace) on the left and an oak branch (strength and independence) on the right, with the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "ONE DIME."

Where Were Roosevelt Silver Dimes Minted?

The mint mark appears on the reverse of the coin, to the left of the torch base. Silver Roosevelt dimes were struck at three facilities:

Philadelphia (no mint mark) — Typically the highest annual mintage
Denver ("D") — Produced throughout the silver series
San Francisco ("S") — Lower mintages in many years; some of the most sought-after key dates in the series

San Francisco issues from the early 1950s — particularly the 1949-S and 1955-S — are among the more collectible dates in the silver Roosevelt series due to their comparatively low mintage figures.

Understanding Roosevelt Dime Melt Value

Each Roosevelt silver dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver, allowing investors to calculate melt value directly from the live spot price of silver:

Silver Melt Value = 0.07234 × Current Silver Spot Price

Because Roosevelt dimes are small and inexpensive individually, most silver investors track them in rolls or bags:

Roll (50 coins): 3.617 troy oz silver
$1 face value (10 dimes): 0.7234 troy oz silver
$100 face value bag: 72.34 troy oz silver

Common circulated Roosevelt dimes typically trade at or near melt value, making them one of the most cost-efficient ways to acquire 90% silver by the ounce. Key dates and high-grade examples carry numismatic premiums above the melt floor.

Key Dates and Rare Roosevelt Silver Dimes

While most circulated silver Roosevelt dimes trade close to melt, certain dates and varieties command meaningful collector premiums:

Key Date / Variety	Notable Details
1949-S	Lowest mintage of the early series (13.5M); popular key date among collectors; significant premium in MS65+
1950-S Full Bands	Extremely scarce in high grade with Full Bands designation; certified examples have sold for $400–$700+
1955	Low mintage (12.8M); well-preserved Full Bands examples worth $6–$10+ over melt; MS65 specimens fetch $15–$30
1955-S	Relatively scarce S-mint issue; solid collectible with moderate premium in circulated grades
1964 Doubled Die Obverse	Sought-after error variety on the final silver year; grades-dependent values ranging from $400 to $2,000+
1946-S Micro S	Small S mintmark variety from the first year of issue; popular with variety collectors

The "Full Bands" (FB) designation — referring to complete, unbroken horizontal bands on the torch — significantly increases value across the series. Always verify strike quality for key dates before purchasing at a premium.

Investment Potential of Roosevelt Silver Dimes

Low Entry Cost: Individual dimes are among the most affordable 90% silver coins, making them accessible for investors at any budget level.
Minimal Premium Over Melt: Circulated common dates typically trade at 5–10% over melt — among the lowest acquisition premiums in the junk silver market.
High Divisibility: Small denomination allows partial liquidation without selling an entire position.
Instant Recognizability: As the current U.S. dime design, Roosevelt dimes are universally recognized and easy to authenticate.
Numismatic Upside: Key dates and Full Bands specimens offer collector premium potential beyond the melt floor.

Final Thoughts

Minted from 1946 to 1964, the Roosevelt Silver Dime represents the last regular-issue U.S. dime struck in 90% silver — and one of the most practical vehicles for acquiring physical silver at low premiums. Whether you're stacking junk silver by the bag or hunting key dates in high grade, Roosevelt dimes offer both bullion value and numismatic depth in a single familiar coin.

For current melt values based on live silver prices, use our silver coin melt value calculator. Always consult with a qualified numismatist or precious metals dealer when purchasing key-date or high-grade specimens.