Silver Dimes

Silver Dimes Quick Facts

The US Mint began issuing the modern dime in 1892. Up until 1964, all dimes in circulation contained 90% silver, which was customary for the era.

90% Silver Dimes

The Dime, commonly referred to as the ten-cent coin,  minted with 90% silver prior to 1965. Each of these silver dimes contains approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of silver by weight.

So, each $1 face value of pre-1965 US dimes contains approximately 0.715 troy ounces of silver. Wear and tear from circulation can lead to minor weight variances. The worth of bankroll of silver dimes fluctuates based on current silver prices. 

Pre-1965 silver dimes are a reliable store of value for investors looking for a low-cost investment and a good hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty.

Older silver dimes, particularly those in good condition or with rare mint marks or error coins, also have numismatic value to collectors, adding to their worth above and beyond the melt value.

Because of their small size, it's simple to store a couple of bankrolls virtually anywhere. Shop and compare to find which dealer has the cheapest price for 90% silver dimes.

Silver Dime History

The US Mint produced three different common variations of ten-cent coins in 90% silver.

• The Barber Dime gets its name from the designer Charles Barber.
• The Mercury Dime gets its name because the depiction of Lady Liberty looks similar to the Greek God Mercury.
• The Roosevelt Dime commemorates Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency.

Hundreds of millions of silver dimes were issued and used for everyday purchases by normal Americans which has made them a favorite of investors, silver stackers, preppers, and coin collectors alike. 

Collecting Silver Dimes

Coin collectors and numismatists love silver dimes because they come in many unique varieties and variations. A complete set of Mercury Dimes that includes all mint marks and dates contains more than 70 coins. Die variations and error coins add even more to collect.

Each coin contains roughly .07 troy ounces of silver. Due to their fractional nature, dimes are an excellent choice for those prepping for a financial disaster or believe bartering could become more prevalent.

They are often available from online bullion dealers and local coin stores at the lowest premium over the spot price. A $100 Face Value bag of silver dimes contains 1,000 individual coins.

Various collector albums are available from Dansco and Whitman. They are a great way to learn about the history and all of the variations available in ten-cent coins while building a store of value.

Rare Silver Dimes

Some dimes are worth significantly more than their melt value, such as error coins like double dies and planchet errors, or other unique characteristics, including low mintages and mint marks . 

• 1894-S Barber Dime - This is one of the key dates in the Barber Dime series. With only 24 known surviving examples, it has become one of the rarest, most sought-after, and one of the most valuable silver dimes, with one piece selling at auction in 2016 for nearly $2 million.
• 1916-D Mercury Dime - This dime is considered one of the most famous key dates in the Mercury Dime series. It's highly sought after by collectors, partly due to its low mintage. Even in worn or circulated condition, these dimes can sell for well over $1,000.
• 1921-D Mercury Dime - The 1921-D Mercury Dime is another crucial date in the series. It was struck for only a brief period and is rare, especially in higher grades.
• 1942 over 41 Mercury Dime Overdate - This variety of the 1942 Mercury Dime features a "2" over a "1" in the date. It's a well-known error, and Uncirculated examples are pretty valuable. Finding coins like this when searching for junk silver dimes is a lovely surprise.
• 1945 Micro S Mercury Dime - This variety of the 1945 Mercury Dime features a tiny "S" mintmark, making it distinct from the regular issue. It's a notable variety, and with many authentic and graded examples in various conditions, this dime is accessible to many collectors.

Roosevelt Silver Dimes

The Roosevelt Dime is a ten-cent coin issued by the United States Mint. First minted shortly after President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death in 1946, the coin features a portrait of the former president on the obverse side.

The reverse side depicts a torch in the center, with an olive branch on the left and an oak branch on the right. The design honors President Roosevelt's legacy, particularly his founding of the March of Dimes, a program that helped cure polio.

Due to rising silver prices, the Mint changed the composition of the coins in 1965 and introduced the clad version that continues to circulate today. Despite this change in metal content, the design of the Roosevelt Dime has remained consistent over the years, making it one of the longest-running coin designs in US history.

Mercury Silver Dimes

Despite its nickname, the coin does not depict the Roman messenger god Mercury but rather a depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap.

This design was in production by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945. The obverse features Liberty in a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought. The reverse shows a fasces, representing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace.

The Mercury Dime was produced at three different mint locations, each with its own corresponding mint mark: Philadelphia, Denver (D), and San Francisco (S).

The Mercury dime remains a collector's favorite for its unique design and silver content. Due to their lower mintage numbers, some of the most sought-after Mercury dimes are the 1916-D, 1921-D, and 1921-D.

Barber Dimes

Designed by Chief Mint Engraver Charles Barber, the design was issued by the US Mint from 1892 until 1916. The front features a head-and-shoulders depiction of Lady Liberty, facing right while dressed in a Phrygian cap and laurel wreath. The coin is part of the "Barber Coinage," a series of coins that also included a quarter and half dollar featuring the same design

The Barber dime was minted at four different mints, with each location designated by the mintmark: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and New Orleans (O). Mintages of Barber silver dimes were inconsistent throughout the years, and one of the rarest Barber dimes was in the 1895-O period, with a mintage of just 440,000 coins. On the other hand, the 1911 from the Philadelphia Mint had a mintage of over 18.8 million coins.

Frequently Asked Questions about Silver Dimes

• Question: Which mintage years were dimes made from silver? - Answer: The US Mint produced silver dimes continuously from 1892 until 1964.
• Question: How many dimes are there in a standard bankroll? - Answer: A standard bankroll of dimes, sometimes called a shotgun roll, contains 50 ten-cent coins, providing a total face value of $5 with an approximate silver weight of roughly 3.575 troy ounces.
• Question: What are the different styles of silver dimes? - Answer: The Mint produced three distinct styles of silver dimes: the Roosevelt Dime, the Mercury Dime, and the Barber Dime.

Where to find the cheapest Silver Dimes

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