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The 1949-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $3 in average circulated condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. Finding this silver coin in your pocket change or an old jar is an exciting discovery that connects you to America’s post-war history.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good to Very Fine (Circulated) | $2.50 – $5.00 |
| Extra Fine to About Uncirculated | $6.00 – $15.00 |
| Mint State 63 (Uncirculated) | $35.00 – $50.00 |
| Mint State 67 (Gem Quality) | $150.00 – $400.00 |
| MS67 Full Bands (Rare) | $1,500+ |
Understanding the Value of Your 1949-S Silver Roosevelt Dime
The 1949-S Roosevelt Dime is a silver coin produced at the San Francisco Mint just four years after the end of WWII. For most everyday Americans, this coin is a “treasure in plain sight” because it is composed of 90% silver. If you aren’t sure how to identify your find, you can use a top coin identifier app to instantly recognize the date and mint mark of your silver treasures.
Many collectors prioritize the “S” mint mark coins because they often had lower mintage numbers compared to Philadelphia or Denver. While millions were made, many were lost to the melting pots in the 1960s when silver prices spiked. Today, finding one in your change is rare, but finding one in a collection usually means you have at least several dollars of profit over the face value.
The CoinKnow app can help you track these fluctuating market values in real time. Because the price of silver changes daily, the baseline “junk silver” value of this dime moves up and down. However, the numismatic (collector) value remains steady for coins that haven’t been scratched or overly worn down by decades of spending.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Grading and Pricing the 1949-S Roosevelt Dime
When determining the 1949-S Roosevelt Dime Value, the most important factor is the physical condition, also known as the “grade.” Professional graders use a 70-point scale where 1 is barely recognizable and 70 is perfect. Most coins found in old piggy banks fall into the “Circulated” category, meaning they have visible wear on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cheek and hair.
The premium prices are reserved for coins that never entered circulation. These “Mint State” coins still have the original luster or “shine” they had when they left the San Francisco Mint. Collectors look for the “Full Bands” (FB) designation, which refers to the horizontal lines on the torch on the reverse side of the coin. If these lines are perfectly separated, the coin becomes significantly more valuable.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Grade Designation | Visual Characteristics | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fine (F12) | Heavy wear, hair details flat | $3.00 |
| Extremely Fine (EF40) | Light wear on high points only | $7.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS60) | No wear, some bag marks | 1949-S MS Price Data |
| Gem (MS65+) | Strong luster, very few marks | $120.00+ |
Identifying the San Francisco Mint Mark
The “S” mint mark is the key identifier for this specific coin. On Roosevelt Dimes minted between 1946 and 1964, the mint mark is located on the reverse (back) of the coin. Look at the base of the torch, just to the left of the stem. You will see a small “S” if it was minted in San Francisco.
If you don’t see a letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia. If you see a “D,” it came from Denver. The San Francisco Mint produced 13,510,000 dimes in 1949, which is a relatively low mintage compared to the 30 million created in Philadelphia that same year. This scarcity is exactly why many hobbyists use CoinKnow to double-check their finds before spending them.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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The 1949-S is particularly popular in the “S-mint” collection series. Because San Francisco stopped producing circulating dimes for a brief period in the 1950s, these late-40s issues are highly sought after by those trying to complete a “folder” or “album” of every Roosevelt Dime ever made.
Rare Varieties and Errors of the 1949-S Dime
While most 1949-S dimes are standard issues, error collectors are always on the hunt for “Repunched Mint Marks” (RPM) or die cracks. An RPM occurs when the “S” was punched into the coin mold twice, causing a ghost-like shadow or overlapping letter. These errors can double or triple the value of the coin to the right buyer.
Another rare feature is the “Full Bands” (FB) or “Full Torch” (FT) detail. On the reverse, the torch has two sets of horizontal bands—one at the top and one at the bottom. In most 1949-S strikes, these bands are blurry or merged. If you have a specimen where the bands are clearly separated with a distinct line between them, you have found a masterpiece.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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You can verify the latest 1949 silver dime market info to see how much these special variety coins have sold for at auction recently. Even a slight error, like a “clipped planchet” (where a piece of the coin is missing from the factory), can turn a $3 coin into a $50 treasure.
The Silver Content Factor in 1949 Dimes
Aside from the collector value, the 1949-S Roosevelt Dime has an intrinsic “melt value.” Every dime minted before 1965 is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Each dime contains approximately 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. This means that even if the coin is in terrible condition—bent, scratched, or heavily worn—it will never be worth just ten cents.
As the price of silver goes up, the “floor price” of your 1949 dime goes up too. Many people buy these coins as a hedge against inflation. They are often referred to as “junk silver,” but there is nothing junk about them! They represent a time when American money was made of precious metal.
Before selling your silver coins to a local pawn shop, it is wise to use CoinKnow to ensure you aren’t accidentally giving away a high-grade specimen for its silver weight. While the silver is worth a few dollars, the collector value could be hundreds of dollars higher if the condition is right.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Coin Feature | Metal Composition | Silver Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mintage Years | 1946–1964 | 0.07234 oz |
| Silver Purity | 90% Silver | 2.25 grams pure |
Tips for Preserving and Selling Your Coins
If you find a 1949-S dime, the most important rule is: Do not clean it! Many beginners think that making a coin look shiny with polish or soap will increase its value. In reality, cleaning a coin leaves microscopic scratches that professional graders can see instantly. A cleaned coin can lose 50% to 90% of its collector value.
To keep your coin safe, handle it only by the edges and place it in a clear plastic “flip” or a cardboard 2×2 holder. This prevents the oils from your skin from tarnishing the silver or damaging the “Full Bands” detail on the back.
When you are ready to sell, check local coin shops or reputable online auction sites. Knowing the 1949-S Roosevelt Dime Value ahead of time puts you in a position of power. Armed with the right data, you can negotiate a fair price and ensure your piece of American history finds a great new home.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell if my 1949 dime is from San Francisco?
A: Check the reverse side of the coin. Look at the bottom of the torch. To the left side of the torch’s base, you will see a small “S” letter. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Is a 1949-S dime worth more than a 1949-P or 1949-D?
A: Generally, yes. The San Francisco (S) minted fewer dimes in 1949 than Philadelphia (P) and slightly more than Denver (D), but “S” mint marks are almost always more popular with collectors, leading to higher prices in high grades.
Q: Is the 1949-S dime made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Roosevelt dimes from 1946 to 1964 are 90% silver. Dimes made from 1965 to today are made of copper and nickel and have no silver content.
Q: What is the “Full Bands” designation?
A: This is a term used by graders (like PCGS or NGC) to describe a dime where the horizontal lines on the torch are fully visible and separated. These are very rare for the 1949-S and command a massive price premium.