22 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money (Rarest List)

22 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

The US Mint started Roosevelt dime production, which has lasted until now. Collectors particularly appreciate pieces struck from 1946 to 1964 because of the silver content, but some copper and nickel-clad specimens can also reach atypically high prices.

The most expensive in a group of the most valuable Roosevelt dimes is the proof coin produced in the San Francisco mint in 1975 but without an S mint mark. However, many others are worth collecting and can be sold at auctions for tens of thousands of dollars.

Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes

John R. Sinnock designed Roosevelt dimes in 1946, and the first variation the US Mint produced was made of 90% silver, while the rest was copper. They were 0.70512 inches (17.91 mm) in diameter and weighed 0.07292 troy ounces (2.268 g).

The clad production started in 1965, and the same coins have existed until now. These dimes consisted of copper and nickel in a 75%: 25% ratio with a pure center made of copper.

The most valuable Roosevelt dimes

Type 1 silver Roosevelt Dime
Lots found Year Auction record
506 1949 MS 68 FB $13,200
1287 1946 MS 69 $12,650
959 1956 MS 68 $9,988
835 1955 MS 68 $9,300
738 1950 MS 68 $8,812.50
895 1957 D MS 67 $8,400
597 1951 D MS 68 $8,337
647 1948 MS 68 $8,050
655 1955 D MS 68 $7,763
799 1947 D MS 68 FB $7,762
Type 2 clad Roosevelt Dime
59 1999 D MS 65 $14,375
62 1998 P MS 67 NGO $9,200
? 1965 AU 58 $8,912
159 1965 AU 55 $8,625
Type 1 silver proof Roosevelt Dime
787 1951 PR 68 DCAM $23,500
707 1956 PR 69 DCAM $19,975
696 1950 PR 68 $18,800
902 1954 PR 68 $9,400
Type 2 clad proof Roosevelt dime
? 1975 No S PR 68 $456,000
51 1968 No S PR 68 $48,875
323 1983 No S PR 70 DCAM $10,560
994 1972 S PR 70 $8,400
404 1973 S PR 70 $7,050
Type 2, clad SP Roosevelt dime
487 1966 SMS SP 67 $12,499.99
510 1967 SMS SP 68 $9,987.50

1. 1975 No S PR 68 Roosevelt dime

1975 No S PR 68 Roosevelt Dime

Only two confirmed 1975 No S PR Roosevelt dimes are known to exist, although there are rumors about an additional three. In any case, this coin is one of the rarest American dimes nowadays.

Unlike other 2,845,450 struck pieces produced in San Francisco, this one doesn’t contain the S mint mark showing the mint where it was produced.

After keeping it for 31 years, the previous owner decided to sell this rare coin at Heritage Auctions in 2019 and collect a fantastic $456,000. It was the highest recorded sale of an American currency in the second half of the 20th century.

2. 1968 No S PR 68 Roosevelt dime

1968 No S PR 68 Roosevelt Dime

This Roosevelt dime was the first proof coin mistakenly struck in San Francisco without the recognizable S mint mark. No one knows how many of the 3,041,506 proofs minted in San Francisco have the same characteristic.

Some experts estimate that approximately 12 of two dozen minted pieces still exist. Unlike regular proofs produced that year worth a modest $2.28, this particular error coin was paid $48,875 at Heritage Auctions in 2006.

3. 1951 PR 68 Deep Cameo Roosevelt dime

1951 PR 68 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint struck 57,500 silver proofs in 1951. Most are pretty inexpensive coins worth $1.61 to $11, but one stands out from the crowd. One collector paid $23,500 for a rare certified 1951 PR 68 Roosevelt dime with deep cameo contrast in 2014.

You should know that such a high price was not accidentally achieved. This particular coin is only one of the about 70 to 100 still existing specimens qualified as deep cameos.

4. 1956 PR 69 Deep Cameo Roosevelt dime

1956 PR 69 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint produced 669,384 pieces of proof Roosevelt dimes made of silver in 1956. Their current value is $1.61 to $9.37 per coin.

However, one unique, perfectly preserved specimen with deep cameo contrast was sold at Heritage Auctions for $19,975 in 2016. You can spot frosted details on its mirror-like silver surfaces, making this piece worth such an astonishing sum of money.

5. 1950 PR 68 Roosevelt dime

1950 PR 68 Roosevelt Dime

You can find only one of the 51,386 Roosevelt-proof dimes struck in the Philadelphia mint in 1950 worth $18,800. One dedicated collector paid so much money for a piece with top-notch reflective attributes. The trade happened at Heritage Auctions in 2014. In comparison, the average price of silver proofs minted this year is $1.61 to $56.

6. 1999 D MS 65 Roosevelt dime

1999 D MS 65 Roosevelt Dime

In 1999, the Denver mint produced 1,397,750,000 regular Roosevelt dimes with clad composition. Such high mintage comes at a low price, so that you can buy one of these coins for a modest $2.28.

However, one unique coin in brilliant uncirculated condition offered at Heritage Auctions in 2009 won the auction record after reaching an impressive $14,375. Can you imagine how perfect it was to stand out from such a high mintage?

7. 1949 MS 68 FB Roosevelt dime

1949 MS 68 FB Roosevelt Dime

1949 is a valuable year for silver Roosevelt dime production. The Philadelphia mint struck 30,940,000 pieces that year, and they are highly sought after among collectors.

Even though most pieces are worth a modest $1.62 to $42, one specimen with Full Bands was paid $13,200 at an auction in 2018. You shouldn’t be surprised by the high price since such highly preserved coins with horizontal twin bands on the torch are conditional rarities.

8. 1946 MS 69 Roosevelt dime

1946 MS 69 Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint produced 255,250,000 silver dimes in 1946, the first year these coins appeared on the market. You can sell pieces in poor condition only as silver junk, but most decently preserved specimens are worth $1.61 to $5.38 on the precious metals market.

However, one of those dimes is the beautiful piece in MS 69 sold at Superior Galleries in 2004 for a fantastic $12,650. Be aware that this specimen with a shiny surface and impeccable texture is worth each cent paid.

9. 1966 SMS SP 67 Roosevelt dime

1966 SMS SP 67 Roosevelt Dime

This rare Special Strike Roosevelt dime produced in the Philadelphia mint contained 75% copper, while the rest of the clad was nickel. The most expensive specimen in the group of Special Mint Set, type 2, was paid $12,500 on eBay in 2021.

10. 1983 No S PR 70 Deep Cameo Roosevelt dime

1983 No S PR 70 Deep Cameo Roosevelt Dime

It is a mystery how many proofs of 3,279,126 produced in the San Francisco mint in 1983 are without the mint mark.

However, some experts estimate that this number is approximately 240 pieces made of copper and nickel, with a center made of pure copper. The most expensive dimes from this mintage were paid $10,560 at an auction in 2014.

11. 1956 MS 68 Roosevelt dime

1956 MS 68 Roosevelt Dime

Many admirers want a well-preserved silver Roosevelt dime from 1956 in their collections and typically pay up to $8.12 for one.

The low price is partially a result of the high mintage of 108,640,000 pieces produced in the Philadelphia mint. Only one collector was lucky enough to get the privilege to grab one perfect piece for $9,988 at an auction in 2013.

12. 1967 SMS SP Roosevelt dime

1967 SMS SP Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint produced 1,860,000 Roosevelt dimes made of copper and nickel in 1967. However, you can hardly find one of the Special Strike coins (Special l Mint Set) produced in a limited number.

It is still a mystery what was their function and the purpose of their existence, but a few preserved pieces are always pricey. The auction record goes to the dime sold at Heritage Auctions in 2014 for $9,988.

13. 1954 PR 68 Roosevelt dime

1954 PR 68 Roosevelt Dime

Even though three mints struck Roosevelt dimes in 1954, only the Philadelphia mint produced proof coins. Most preserved pieces of 233,300 minted that year come with the price of approximately $21.

This particular coin sold at an auction in 2014 was something special. One collector paid $9,400 for it, astonished by the pristine condition and beauty of this deep cameo proof without toning.

14. 1955 MS 68 Roosevelt dime

1955 MS 68 Roosevelt Dime

The fact is that Americans adore Roosevelt dimes, and dedicated collectors are prepared to pay as much as necessary for the desired piece.

Despite the relatively low price of $1.62 to $9.38 for any silver coins of 12,450,181 produced in the Philadelphia mint in 1955, some unique specimens can be pricey. For instance, one well-preserved dime won the auction record in 2020 when one collector paid it $9,300.

15. 1965 AU 58 Roosevelt dime

1965 AU 58 Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint produced an unbelievable 1,652,140,570 clad Roosevelt dimes in 1965. Therefore, the low number of existing coins in the mint state is a mystery.

While most coins are available for a modest $2.81, this piece was sold in 2003 at an auction for $8,912. The reason for such a high price was a special feature. This dime was struck on a silver planchet, making it rare and precious.

16. 1972 S PR 70 Roosevelt dime

1972 S PR 70 Roosevelt Dime

Besides 3,260,996 Roosevelt dimes minted in San Francisco in 1972  that are inexpensive nowadays, you can find a few valuable pieces. One of them is a proof coin made of copper and nickel that reached $8,400 at Heritage Auctions in 2018.

This specimen with deep cameo contrast came with the Single finest certified tag. Most experts believed it was virtually impossible to find a dime in MS 70 grade, making this one unique and expensive.

17. 1998 P MS 67 NGO Roosevelt dime

1998 P MS 67 NGO Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint struck an impressive 1,163,000,000 clad Roosevelt dimes in 1998. Most pieces are in uncirculated condition (MS 65), and you should set aside only $2.28 for one. On the other hand, one specimen in perfect condition was paid an impressive $9,200 in 2011.

18. 1965 AU 55 Roosevelt dime

1965 AU 55 Roosevelt Dime

Precisely 1,652,140,570 Roosevelt dime made of copper and nickel was produced in the Philadelphia mint in 1965. However, those struck on a silver planchet are rare. This one with pale gray surfaces covered by soft golden-tan tones is not in perfect condition.

However, one collector set aside an impressive $8,625 for it at Heritage Auctions in 2006. Since the most expensive Full Bands piece minted that year reached only $4,000 on eBay, you can see how precious these errors are.

Silver traces appeared on dimes minted in 1965, the first year when clad coins came into circulation. They were struck on 1965-dated dies, but the mint used 90% silver planchet from regular production in 1964, making these coins one of the most beloved errors among American coinage.

19. 1972 S PR Roosevelt dime

1972 S PR Roosevelt Dime

Despite the mintage of 3,260,996, 1972 Roosevelt dime proofs produced in the San Francisco mint are pretty rare in high grades nowadays. Therefore, it is not surprising for one coin with a desired deep cameo contrast to win an auction record.

While a typical price for these coins is about $2.28, one collector paid $8,400 for a rare piece graded 70 at Heritage Auctions in 2018. This dime with a brilliant mirror-like surface and frosted design is definitely worth the money.

20. 1948 MS 68 Roosevelt dime

1948 MS 68 Roosevelt Dime

The Philadelphia mint produced an impressive number of 74,950,000 silver Roosevelt dimes in 1948. One of these coins with Full Bands was sold at Superior Galleries in 2009 for $8,050.

21. 1955 D MS 68 Roosevelt dime

1955 D MS 68 Roosevelt Dime

The Denver mint produced 13,959,000 silver Roosevelt dimes in 1955, and you can buy most of the surviving pieces for $1.61 to $9.37. However, this one preserved in the mint state was one of the exceptions.

This coin comes with the Full Bands characteristic. Thanks to its high quality, excellent condition, and timeless beauty, one collector paid $7,763 for it at Stack’s Bowers auction in 2011.

22. 1947 D MS 68 FB Roosevelt dime

1947 D MS 68 FB Roosevelt Dime

The 1947 D MS 68 Roosevelt dime sold at an auction for $7,762 in 2009 is one of the rare pieces worth so much among 46,835,000 coins minted in Denver this particular year. The reason is the rare Full Bands feature and its beautiful toning atypical for most other similar pieces.

Summary

The first Roosevelt dimes were produced in 1946 and quickly became popular among Americans. Nowadays, collectors look for silver specimens, but most appreciate even those made of copper and nickel when they are in high grade. Their prices depend on the production year, the mint where they were struck, the rarity, and their condition.

3 Comments

  1. I have a 2020 D dime that doesn’t have the silver color coat on outside of it. I would like to know if it’s worth anything

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *