Obverse: identify the front

Franklin D. Roosevelt faces left, with LIBERTY at the left rim, IN GOD WE TRUST below his chin and 1953 at lower right on the actual reference. Small designer initials appear near the truncation. The complete rim and readable date are present in the original photograph; the date, rather than a gray surface color, establishes which circulation period needs examination.

Reverse: identify the back

A torch stands between olive and oak branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA follows the upper rim, ONE DIME the lower rim, and E PLURIBUS UNUM runs across the central design. A small D appears to the left of the torch base on this reference. The reverse identifies the ten-cent denomination and pictured Denver issue without treating every torch-bearing medal as a Roosevelt dime.

History and purpose

Roosevelt replaced the Mercury portrait on the dime in 1946. The reference identifies John R. Sinnock as designer of both faces and treats 1946–1964 as the original silver interval. The portrait continued after the silver circulation standard ended, so design recognition alone cannot establish the alloy. This guide preserves the distinction between the original silver coin, a later clad dime and a separately documented modern silver proof.

How to identify this variant

Match the left-facing Roosevelt portrait, torch-and-branches reverse, ONE DIME and a date from 1946 through 1964. The reference is 1953-D. A bare coin can be compared with the reference’s 17.9 mm diameter and 2.5 g nominal mass, allowing examination of wear and measurement error. Mint marks or packaging do not override the actual date and composition; keep an uncertain dime outside the counted total.

Understanding its metal content

Three matching coins total 7.5 reference gross grams and .2169 fine silver troy ounce using the reference’s .0723 ASW. Separately, 2.5 g multiplied by .900 gives 2.25 g of nominal silver per coin, approximately 0.072339 troy ounce. That mathematical result does not replace the table’s rounded ASW. A worn circulating specimen can have less material than its original standard; no universal wear discount or specimen assay is inferred.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

The retained interval ends at 1964 for original silver circulation dimes. A later date with the same portrait needs a different composition record. The original photo represents a 1953 Denver coin and does not illustrate every date, mint or finish. Read small marks from the actual specimen and preserve clear close-up photographs when a variety or finish might affect its appraisal.

Melt value versus collector value

Record the actual date, mint, surface condition and any original holder before assessing collector interest. A reference photo and a silver-content total do not grade the customer’s coin. Small torch details require closer photographs than this modest-resolution overview can provide. Retain potentially significant pieces separately for examination rather than assuming all dimes are worth only their silver or assigning an unsupported premium.

Authenticity and condition

Compare both designs, date, denomination, rim and the bare-coin measurements with a matching reference. A capsule contributes weight and is not coin silver. Familiar artwork and plausible dimensions cannot establish authenticity on their own. Avoid cleaning or scratching the surfaces. Obtain sharper specimen photographs when the mint mark or fine reverse detail is unclear, and exclude uncertain pieces pending examination.

Selling this coin

Separate original silver Roosevelt dimes from later clad dimes and special proof issues before counting. List the 1946–1964 group by actual dates and keep potentially collectible pieces identified separately. Three matching pieces use the .2169-ounce reference silver calculation. Use this coin’s appraisal link to carry its identity and quantity into an assessment; the calculated metal amount is separate from a purchase offer.

Sources and calculation methodology

The owner-selected reference U.S. silver table controls 2.5 g gross, .900 silver and .0723 troy oz ASW for the 1946–1964 Roosevelt dime. Its linked specification page supplies 17.9 mm and reeded edge. The reported ASW is used directly; mass times fineness gives a separately rounded theoretical amount. This circulation identity does not include later clad or modern silver proofs. The original 301 × 142 paired photograph was independently inspected for full rims, date, portrait, denomination, torch and D. Native-size face crops are modest-resolution identification references, not invented high-detail images. Aamsse’s own-work photographic CC BY-SA 3.0 license is retained on the derivatives. Neither the image nor the source table authenticates an unseen customer coin. Dollar prices remain unavailable until a price provider is approved.

Common questions

References

• NGC: U.S. silver melt specifications — identity; dates 1946–1964; composition .900 silver; fineness .900; weight 2.5 g; fine weight ASW .0723 oz (checked 2026-10-10)
• NGC: Roosevelt dime specifications — identity; designer John R. Sinnock; diameter 17.9 mm; reeded edge; dates 1946–1964; weight 2.5000 g; composition .900; fineness .900; fine weight ASW .0723 oz (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: original silver Roosevelt dime issue list

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-11. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Mercury Dime — Winged Liberty

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

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Washington Quarter — 1932–1964 Silver

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

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