Until 1965, US dimes in circulation were 90% silver and 10% copper. However, because of rising silver prices, the US Mint decided to continue debasing coinage by changing the composition of dimes to a copper-nickel alloy, starting with the clad coin production in 1965. The US Mint no longer issues silver dimes for circulation. Instead, today’s dimes are an alloy of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
Silver dimes are ten-cent coins that were minted from 1796 to 1964. They are made from an alloy called “coin silver.”
The US Mint issued six different styles of silver dimes before 1965. Those include the Draped Bust, Capped Bust, Seated Liberty, Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt designs.
Until 1965, US dimes were 90% silver and 10% copper. However, because of rising silver prices, the US Mint decided to continue debasing coinage by changing the composition of dimes to a copper-nickel alloy, starting with the clad coin production in 1965.
Silver Dime Variations
| Type | Years Minted | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt Silver Dimes | 1946-1964 | These feature a portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse side. |
| Mercury Dimes | 1916-1945 | Depict a young Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, often mistaken for Mercury, the Roman messenger god. |
| Barber Dimes | 1892-1916 | Named after their designer, Charles E. Barber, these feature the head of Liberty on the obverse. |
| Seated Liberty Dimes | 1837-1891 | Depict Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield in one hand and an olive branch in the other. |
| Capped Bust Dimes | 1809-1837 | Feature a portrait of Liberty wearing a cap, along with an eagle on the reverse. |
| Draped Bust Dimes | 1796-1807 | Feature a portrait of Liberty with flowing hair and draped bust. |
Collectors seek these dimes for their historical and numismatic value. Investors purchase them for their silver content as a hedge against economic instability or inflation. The industry refers to this as “junk silver.” However, the term doesn’t reflect the condition or value of the coin. Instead, it means its value comes primarily from its metal content rather than its rarity or collectibility.
Face Value Bags of Junk Silver
Online bullion dealers typically offer 90% dimes based on the face value that each contains. For example, each $5 Face Value standard bankroll of silver dimes has fifty individual pieces minted Pre-1965. Each circulated pre-1965 dime contains approximately .0715 troy ounces, with each standard $5 bankroll of silver dimes having a total of 3.575 troy ounces ASW.
Face-value bags are a popular way for collectors to better understand the many rare dates, die variations, mint marks, and error coins that are available. Buying $100 Face-Value bags of pre-1965 dimes provides one thousand coins. Due to the silver content of the coins, the intrinsic value of this bag is much higher than the face value.
Books About Silver Dimes
Pre-made Ten-Cent Coin Albums from Dansco and Whitman are an easy way for collectors to keep things organized and are available from Amazon and other retailers.
Many coin dealers use the spiral-bound Guide Book of United States Coins, typically referred to as the “Red Book,” as a reference guide to help with pricing collectible coins. The publication updates the guidebook each year, making it one of the most common guides for collectors and investors alike.