Roosevelt Dime Value: Silver Years and Key Dates
A Roosevelt dime is worth real money if it was made in 1964 or earlier, because those coins are 90% silver — while 1965-and-later dimes are clad and usually worth face value. The series began in 1946 and still circulates today. This guide explains which Roosevelt dimes contain silver, how to tell silver from clad, the key dates and special issues, and how to value the silver.
Key takeaways
- Roosevelt dimes from 1946–1964 are 90% silver and contain about 0.0723 troy ounces of silver; 1965 and later are copper-nickel clad.
- Most silver Roosevelt dimes trade near their melt value, with premiums for key dates and high grades.
- Notable coins include the 1949-S, the special 1996-W from mint sets, and rare 'no-S' proof errors.
- Check the date and the coin's edge to tell silver from clad — clad dimes show a copper stripe.
- Pre-1965 silver dimes are classic junk silver for stacking metal value.
How much is a Roosevelt dime worth?
It depends on the year. A 1946–1964 dime is 90% silver and worth several times face value in silver; a 1965-and-later dime is clad and usually worth face value unless uncirculated, a key date, or a special issue.
For silver dimes, the melt value sets a floor, and a few key dates and high grades add a premium.
Which Roosevelt dimes are silver?
Dimes dated 1946 through 1964 are 90% silver. Starting in 1965, the Mint switched to copper-nickel clad with no silver, which continues for circulating dimes today.
Since 1992, the Mint has also struck special 90% or .999 silver Roosevelt dimes for collectors in silver proof sets, separate from the clad circulating coins.
| Years | Composition | Silver content (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1946–1964 | 90% silver | 0.0723 troy oz |
| 1965–present (circulation) | Copper-nickel clad | None |
| Select 1992–present (silver proofs) | 90% or .999 silver | Varies by issue |
How can you tell silver from clad?
Check the date first: 1964 and earlier are silver, 1965 and later are clad. The date is the most reliable test.
You can confirm by the coin's edge. A clad dime shows a copper-colored stripe around the rim; a 90% silver dime shows a solid silvery edge with no copper line.
What are the key dates and special issues?
Among circulating coins, the 1949-S, 1949, and 1950-S are semi-keys, though no regular date is truly rare. The special 1996-W, struck for the 50th anniversary and issued only in that year's mint sets, carries a premium.
The great rarities are proof errors: the 1975 no-S proof dime is one of the most valuable modern U.S. coins, and the 1968 no-S and 1970 no-S proofs are also scarce and valuable. These come only from proof sets.
How much is the silver worth?
Multiply the silver content by the current silver price. At a silver price of, say, $30 per ounce, a silver dime's melt value is roughly 0.0723 x $30 = about $2.17. Silver moves daily, so use a live figure.
Our silver coin melt value guide covers the math, and the precious metals value calculator computes it at today's price. Silver dimes are classic junk silver.
Where should you sell Roosevelt dimes?
Sell common silver dimes to an established coin shop or gold and silver buyer, and ask how the offer compares to melt. For the 1996-W, no-S proofs, and high grades, a rare coin dealer may pay a collector premium.
For the earlier dime series, see our Mercury dime value guide. Compare offers on better coins and leave them uncleaned.
Frequently asked questions
Which Roosevelt dimes are silver?+
Dimes dated 1946 through 1964 are 90% silver. From 1965 on, circulating Roosevelt dimes are copper-nickel clad with no silver.
How much silver is in a Roosevelt dime?+
A 1946–1964 dime contains about 0.0723 troy ounces of silver. Its melt value is that figure multiplied by the current silver price.
What is the rarest Roosevelt dime?+
The 1975 no-S proof dime is among the most valuable modern U.S. coins, with very few known. The 1968 and 1970 no-S proof dimes are also scarce and valuable.
Is the 1996-W dime valuable?+
The 1996-W was struck for the series' 50th anniversary and issued only in 1996 mint sets, so it carries a premium over common dimes, especially in high grade.