Roosevelt Dime 1946 - Present
Roosevelt Dime 1946 - Present: identify, compare, and value
Use this page to identify details collectors compare, understand value clues, and check current market examples.
Value Guide Summary
Use this page to understand what this collectible is, what details collectors usually compare, and where to check current market examples.
What collectors look for
Original condition, age, maker marks, materials, completeness, unusual variants, and documented history usually matter most.
How to identify examples
Compare markings, construction details, finish, size, period-correct materials, and known design features before assuming authenticity.
Value clues
Rarity, demand, condition, eye appeal, provenance, and whether similar examples are actively selling can all affect market value.
Red flags
Watch for reproductions, heavy restoration, replaced parts, fantasy pieces, unclear photos, and listings with vague descriptions.
90% Silver Planchets (1946 - 1964)
It is a historical fact that in 1945, the American public was longing for a fitting tribute to their beloved leader, whose untimely passing occurred just as he stood on the brink of a well-deserved victory, following years of relentless struggles and concerns. As the world witnessed the conclusion of World War II in April of that year, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the nation's only four-term president, breathed his last at the age of 63, bearing the weight of leading the country through both the most severe economic depression in its history and the most devastating war ever experienced.
Within the Treasury Department, swift plans were set in motion to introduce a new coin in honor of Roosevelt. Given that the late president had battled polio, commonly known as infantile paralysis at the time, it seemed only fitting to feature his portrait on the dime. This modest coin symbolized the fight against polio through the "March of Dimes" fundraising campaign, a project initiated during Roosevelt's initial term. The responsibility for designing this coin fell to Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock.
Sinnock's initial coin designs were presented to the federal Commission of Fine Arts by Acting Mint Director Leland Howard on October 12, 1945. However, the Commission rejected these designs on specific grounds, suggesting an invitational competition involving five accomplished sculptors for the new dime's design. Given the limited time frame (the coins needed to be ready for release during the 1946 March of Dimes campaign on the late president's birthday, January 30), Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross swiftly dismissed this idea.
Instead, John R. Sinnock returned to his workshop to refine his designs. His original depiction of Roosevelt with prominent inscriptions was replaced by the now-familiar, larger portrait with a smaller "IN GOD WE TRUST." The word "LIBERTY" remained in bold letters but was shifted to the left, below the portrait. The date and Sinnock's initials, "JS," were placed discreetly below Roosevelt's neck. The reverse featured an upright torch symbolizing freedom, flanked by branches of olive and oak, signifying peace and victory. The motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" was positioned between these elements. Around the periphery, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DIME" were arranged in arcs, separated by ornamental dots. These revised designs were approved on January 8, 1946, by the Commission of Fine Arts and Treasury Secretary Fred Vinson. Director Ross ordered the production of hubs and dies immediately and initiated coinage as soon as possible.