1946-S Roosevelt Dime Value: Is Your Silver Coin Worth Money?

The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $2.50 in worn condition to over $600 in high-grade mint state. As the first year of the Roosevelt series, this coin holds a special place in history and contains precious silver, making it a “must-check” for any casual collector.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Good to Very Fine (Circulated)	$2.50 – $4.00
Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated	$5.00 – $8.00
Uncirculated (MS60 – MS64)	$10.00 – $25.00
Gem Uncirculated (MS65+)	$35.00 – $600+

History of the 1946-S Roosevelt Silver Dime

The year 1946 was a turning point for American coinage. Following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, the U.S. Mint decided to honor his legacy by placing his portrait on the ten-cent piece. This replaced the iconic Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime. If you have found one of these coins, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark instantly.

The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime was struck at the San Francisco Mint. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, a standard that lasted until 1964. During its first year, the San Francisco Mint produced 27,921,000 of these dimes. While this sounds like a lot, many were lost to circulation or melted down for their silver content when prices spiked in the 1980s.

Today, 1946-S dimes are highly sought after by collectors building “first-year” sets. If you are unsure if your coin is a San Francisco minting, look for the small “S” mint mark on the reverse. With the CoinKnow app, you can snap a photo to see if your coin has the specific characteristics that drive up its market price.

Identifying the 1946-S Mint Mark and Composition

To determine the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime value, you must first verify its origin. The “S” mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin. Look at the bottom of the torch; the tiny letter “S” is nestled just to the left of the base. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia; if there is a “D,” it was made in Denver.

Because these coins are made of 90% silver, they have “melt value.” Even if the coin is heavily scratched or worn, it is always worth at least the price of its silver weight. Many people use CoinKnow to track daily silver prices to see how it affects their collection’s base value.

Beyond the silver content, the “S” mint mark from this era often carries a slight premium over Philadelphia minted coins because the San Francisco mintage was lower. Collectors often look for the “Full Torch” (FT) or “Full Bands” (FB) designation on the reverse, which indicates a very sharp strike and significantly increases what collectors pay for 1946-S Roosevelt Dime mint state prices.

Grading and Condition Impacts on Value

The condition of your 1946-S dime is the biggest factor in its final price. Professional graders use a scale from 1 to 70. Most coins found in change or old jars will fall into the “Circulated” category (grades 1-58). These coins show wear on Roosevelt’s cheek and the leaves of the torch.

Uncirculated coins, also known as Mint State (MS), look exactly as they did the day they left the mint. They have a “luster” or shine that doesn’t go away with simple cleaning (never clean your coins!). A high-grade 1946-S dime can sell for hundreds of dollars at auction if it lacks scratches and has a crisp strike.

Grade Group	Visual Description	Market Value
Good (G-4)	Heavily worn, outlines visible	$2.30
Fine (F-12)	Half of Roosevelt’s hair detail remains	$2.75
About Uncirculated (AU-58)	Slight wear on highest points	$6.50
Mint State (MS-65)	No wear, beautiful luster	$35.00

Rare 1946-S Dime Varieties and Errors

One of the most exciting parts of coin collecting is searching for errors. For the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime, collectors keep an eye out for “Repunched Mint Marks” (RPM). This happens when the “S” was punched into the die twice, creating a shadowed appearance on the letter.

Another error involves the “Doubled Die Reverse” (DDR). Look closely at the lettering “E PLURIBUS UNUM” or “United States of America.” If you see a subtle doubling of the letters, you may have a rare variant. These errors can double or triple the value of the coin instantly.

Using an app like CoinKnow helps you zoom in on these tiny details that are hard to see with the naked eye. Often, what looks like a normal dime to a beginner is actually a rare error that an experienced collector would pay a premium for. You can find more 1946 Roosevelt dime value details by checking specific auction records and error guides.

What is the Silver Melt Value of a 1946-S Dime?

Since this coin is 90% silver, its value is tied to the commodities market. A Roosevelt dime contains approximately 0.07234 ounces of pure silver. When silver prices are high, even a damaged 1946-S dime is a valuable asset.

For many everyday Americans, these dimes serve as a “hedge” against inflation. They are often sold in bulk as “junk silver.” However, before you sell them as scrap, you should ensure you don’t have a high-grade specimen or a rare variety.

The formula for silver value is: (Current Silver Price per Ounce) x 0.07234. If silver is at $25.00 per ounce, each dime is worth at least $1.80 in raw metal. Note that coin shops will usually pay a little less than the full “spot price” to allow for a profit margin.

Silver Spot Price (oz)	Melt Value per Dime
$20.00	$1.45
$25.00	$1.81
$30.00	$2.17

How to Store Your 1946-S Roosevelt Dime

If you discover that your 1946-S dime is in high-grade condition, you must protect it from the air and moisture. Silver tarnishes (oxidizes) over time, which can turn the coin black or dull. While some collectors love “toning”—the rainbow colors that occur naturally—oils from your fingers can cause permanent damage.

Use PVC-free coin flips or plastic capsules to store your treasure. Keeping them in a cool, dry place is essential. If you are using CoinKnow, you can catalog your collection digitally so you don’t have to handle the physical coins more than necessary to verify their identity.

Many Americans find these coins in old “Whitman Blue Folders” handed down from grandparents. If you find a complete 1940s set, keep it intact! The 1946-S is the cornerstone of the Roosevelt era, and its value will likely continue to grow as silver becomes scarcer and more collectors enter the hobby.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1946 dime is silver?

A: Check the edge of the coin! If you see a solid silver color, it is 90% silver. If you see a copper-colored stripe, it is a modern-clad coin (though all 1946 dimes should be silver). Silver dimes also have a distinct “ping” sound when dropped lightly on a table compared to a dull “thud” for copper/nickel coins.

Q: Is the 1946-S dime rare?

A: It is not “rare” in the sense that millions were made, but it is “scarce” in high-grade uncirculated condition. Coins with the “Full Torch” detail on the back are considered very rare and are highly valued by professional collectors.

Q: Where is the best place to sell my 1946-S Roosevelt Dime?

A: For common worn coins, a local coin shop or silver buyer is best. For high-grade or error coins, consider online marketplaces or specialized coin auction houses like Heritage Auctions to get the highest price.

Q: What does the “S” stand for?

A: The “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. In the mid-20th century, the San Francisco Mint typically had lower production numbers than Philadelphia or Denver, making “S” mint marked coins slightly more desirable for many years.