$100 FV 90% Silver Dimes

90% Silver Dimes, also known as "junk silver," are a popular choice among bullion investors and coin collectors. These dimes were minted before 1965 and contain 90% silver, making them valuable for both their metal content and numismatic interest. A $100 FV (face value) bag of these dimes contains 1,000 dimes and approximately 71.5 troy ounces of pure silver.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): The design varies depending on the series. Common series include the Mercury Dime (1916-1945) featuring Liberty wearing a winged cap, and the Roosevelt Dime (1946-present) featuring the portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Reverse (back): The Mercury Dime features a fasces with an olive branch, symbolizing unity and peace, while the Roosevelt Dime has a torch, olive branch, and oak branch, representing liberty, peace, and strength.
• Weight: 2.5 grams per dime
• Silver Content: Each dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver
• Fineness: 90% silver (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

90% Silver Dimes were struck at several U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is typically located on the reverse of the Mercury Dime and on the obverse, to the left of the torch, on the Roosevelt Dime:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): The Philadelphia Mint produced the highest number of these coins.
• Denver ('D'): The Denver Mint produced significant quantities, especially during the mid-20th century.
• San Francisco ('S'): Earlier mintages from the San Francisco Mint are less common and more sought after, particularly for certain years.

Key Dates and Varieties

• Mercury Dimes
  • 1916-D: Highly sought after due to its low mintage, making it a key date for collectors.
  • 1921 and 1921-D: Both years had relatively low mintages, increasing their value.
  • 1942/1 and 1942/1-D: Overdate varieties where the '1' is superimposed over the '2,' making them rare and valuable.
• Roosevelt Dimes
  • 1949-S: A lower mintage year making it more valuable.
  • 1950-S: Another lower mintage year that can fetch higher prices.
  • 1964-D: While not rare, it was the last year of 90% silver dimes before the switch to copper-nickel clad coins.

Various Grades and Values

The value of 90% Silver Dimes depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins:

• Good (G): $1.50-2.00 per dime
• Fine (F): $2.00-3.00 per dime
• Extremely Fine (XF): $3.00-5.00 per dime
• About Uncirculated (AU): $5.00-8.00 per dime
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $8.00-20.00 per dime

Rare mint marks and key dates can command prices well above their silver content value. For example, a 1916-D Mercury Dime in good condition can fetch several hundred dollars, while higher-grade specimens can go for thousands.

90% Silver Dimes are a tangible piece of American history, offering both intrinsic silver value and numismatic appeal. Collectors and investors alike appreciate these coins for their historical significance and investment potential. While common-date dimes are often traded based on their silver content, key dates and rare mint marks can command significant premiums, making them highly sought after in the numismatic community.

$100 FV 90% Silver Dimes Auctions