As one of the last 90% silver dimes struck for circulation, the 1964 Roosevelt holds a special place in U.S. coinage history. It represents the end of an era when precious metal content determined a coin‘s value, and the beginning of the copper-nickel clad compositions we still use today.
Whether you‘re a seasoned collector or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about 1964 Roosevelt dime values. We‘ll delve into the coin‘s history, silver composition, mint marks, varieties, errors, grading, and more. Our goal is to arm you with the knowledge to assess your 1964 dimes accurately and get the best prices when buying or selling.
Origin and Background of the 1964 Roosevelt Dime
The Roosevelt dime series launched in 1946, shortly after the death of America‘s longest-serving president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1945. The U.S. Mint moved quickly to honor the late president on a circulating coin.
Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock designed the new dime, which replaced the beloved "Mercury" design. Sinnock‘s initials "JS" appear on the coin. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of FDR along with the inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The reverse depicts a torch for liberty, oak branch for strength, and olive branch for peace, along with "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "ONE DIME," and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
Roosevelt was a fitting choice for the dime, as he had a personal connection to the coin. In 1938, FDR founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio, which he contracted in 1921. The group‘s fundraising efforts included the "March of Dimes" campaign, which urged Americans to mail in dimes to support the cause. With FDR‘s portrait on the coin, the Roosevelt dime carried on that legacy.
Silver Composition Changeover
1964 marked a pivotal year for U.S. coinage. As silver prices rose in the early 1960s, the precious metal content of dimes, quarters, and half dollars exceeded their face values. To prevent hoarding and melting of coins for their bullion value, the Mint transitioned to copper-nickel clad starting in 1965.
Thus, 1964 Roosevelt dimes were among the last struck in the traditional 90% silver composition. Each coin contains 0.0723 troy oz. of pure silver and weighs 2.5 grams in total.
This 90% silver content sets 1964 Roosevelt dimes apart from later issues in terms of intrinsic value. With silver around $25/oz as of May 2023, a 1964 dime is worth about $1.81 in melt value alone – an 18x premium over face value! By comparison, a modern copper-nickel clad dime contains only about 5 cents worth of metal content.
Mintages and Availability
1964 Roosevelt dimes were produced in huge quantities by both the Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D) mints. Philly struck 929,360,000 dimes while Denver turned out 1,357,517,180. These mintages rank among the highest in the series and are second only to 1962.
With over 2 billion dimes struck, the 1964 issue is plentiful today across all grades. Even pristine gems in MS67 exist by the roll at PCGS and NGC. Population reports show the following census as of April 2023:
| Grade | PCGS | NGC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 | 717 | 1021 | 1738 |
| MS67 | 150 | 159 | 309 |
| MS68 | 0 | 2 (D) | 2 |
This abundance is a boon for both date/mint set collectors and type collectors seeking high-grade examples. Gem BU rolls are readily available and make for an affordable way to stack silver.
Collecting 1964 Roosevelt Dimes
For a single year, the 1964 Roosevelt offers a surprising depth and variety of collecting options due to the different mints, conditions, varieties, and strike types. Here‘s a breakdown:
Circulated vs Uncirculated
Circulated 1964 dimes that entered commerce are worth $1.81 and up based on their silver content. Expect to pay a bit more for attractive XF and AU examples with less wear.
Uncirculated coins come in several tiers of quality and value:
- BU – Dimes with no wear but limited luster, marks sell for $3-$5
- Select BU (MS60-MS62) – Low-end BU rolls trade for about $100-$125
- Choice BU (MS63) – $5-$10 retail for attractive coins with better luster
- Gem BU (MS65+) – Full luster, few marks, $20-$30 each from major grading services
- Superb Gem (MS67-MS68) – Near-perfect surfaces, $300-$6000+ depending on eye appeal
A stunning PCGS MS68FB 1964-D dime sold for $6,462 in 2018 and remains the highest graded by the service. NGC has a single MS69 that would likely bring five figures if offered publicly.
Mint Marks
The Philadelphia and Denver mints each struck 1964 Roosevelt dimes. Philly coins lack a mintmark while Denver issues show a "D." Collect one of each for a complete 1964 set in an album or folder slot.
There‘s little price difference between the mints in circulated grades. Among BU coins, the Philly issues are scarcer in gem grades and carry a 10-20% premium. At the superb gem level, 1964 dimes from both mints are rare and valuable.
Varieties and Errors
Variety and error collectors will find plenty to pursue with 1964 Roosevelt dimes. At least 20 repunched mintmark and doubled die obverses and reverses are known. Most are minor and trade for $50-$100, though strong DDO examples can fetch $300+.
| Variety | CONECA # | Comments | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 DDO FS-101 | FS-101 | Strong doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY | $500+ |
| 1964 DDR FS-801 | FS-801 | Doubling in torch flames and E PLURIBUS | $200+ |
| 1964-D RPM #1 | FS-501 | D mintmark repunched north | $150 |
Error dimes also bring strong premiums. Offcenter strikes past 50%, multi-struck coins, broadstrikes, and pieces struck on wrong planchets routinely sell for $1000-$5000+. A spectacular 1964-D struck on a silver 5c planchet graded MS64 by PCGS brought $10,800 in a 2019 Heritage sale.
Proof and SMS Dimes
The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,950,762 proof dimes in 1964 at the dawn of the SMS era. Carefully produced on polished dies and planchets, proofs feature mirror-like fields and frosted devices. Cameo contrast between these elements boosts value.
PR69DCAM (deep cameo) proofs regularly realize $150-$300. Exceptional PR70DCAM coins are virtually perfect and can top $1000. Look for deep mirrors, boldly frosted letters/devices, and no visible marks under 5x magnification.
Even rarer are the Special Mint Set coins struck in 1964 as the Mint experimented with new finish techniques. Only a few dozen SMS dimes are known, with the sole SP68 graded by PCGS selling for a record $12,075 in 2019.
Grading 1964 Roosevelt Dimes
As we‘ve seen, a coin‘s grade is the key determinant of its value. Uncirculated dimes use the 1-70 Sheldon scale:
- MS60-MS62 – Luster may be incomplete, visible marks/hairlines
- MS63 – Choice, strong luster, limited marks away from prime focal areas
- MS64 – Very choice, full luster, minimal marks even in prime locations
- MS65-MS66 – Gem, exceptional luster, no distracting marks, sharp strike
- MS67-MS70 – Virtually flawless even under magnification, ultimate quality
Proof and SMS coins also use the 70-point scale with PR and SP prefixes respectively. Cameo and deep cameo designations for strong field/device contrast can boost values 50-100%. "FB" indicates full bands on the torch, another plus.
Circulated coins are graded Poor-1 to About Uncirculated-58 based on the amount of wear. A 1964 dime that‘s repeatedly entered and exited circulation might grade VF20, while one pulled from a mint set that briefly saw commerce could grade AU50.
Seeking CAC approval for high-end coins is also a growing trend. CAC awards green beans to coins that meet strict quality standards for the grade. These can bring 10-30% more than non-CAC certified examples.
Tips for Collecting 1964 Roosevelt Dimes
- Focus on a grade level – Zero in on gem BU, proofs, or circulated dimes and assemble a high-quality date/mint set
- Buy certified – Unless you‘re an expert grader, stick to PCGS and NGC holdered coins, especially in higher grades
- Submit to CAC – Consider sending your best PCGS/NGC coins to CAC for additional quality assurance and market value
- Cherrypick rolls – Sort circulated and BU rolls in search of hidden gems, varieties, and errors to submit to grading services
- Pursue Registry Sets – Collect the finest known 1964 Roosevelt dimes in categories like Proof, SMS, Full Bands, Top Pop, Everyman, etc.
- Monitor auction records – Track pricing trends using PCGS CoinFacts, CPG, and major auction house archives to inform your buying/selling
- Stack silver – Accumulate rolls of BU and proof 1964 dimes as an easy, affordable way to invest in physical silver – numismatic and melt value!
1964 Roosevelt Dime FAQs
-
How many 1964 Roosevelt dimes were made?
Philadelphia: 929,360,000
Denver: 1,357,517,180
Total: 2,286,877,180 -
What is the current melt value of a 1964 dime?
With 0.0723 troy oz. of pure silver, a 1964 Roosevelt dime has a melt value of $1.81 based on a May 2023 silver spot price of $25.06/oz. -
Which 1964 Roosevelt dime is the rarest?
The 1964 SMS (Special Mint Set) dime is the rarest by far, with only a few dozen known examples. SP68 coins have realized over $12,000 at auction. -
Is the 1964 dime 90% silver?
Yes, the 1964 Roosevelt dime contains an inner core of 90% silver and 10% copper bonded to outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It was the last 90% silver dime issued for circulation. -
What is the most valuable Roosevelt dime?
A 1975-S proof Roosevelt dime missing the S mintmark graded PR68 by PCGS sold for an astonishing $456,000 in 2019. However, as a modern dime struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin is an extremely rare variety.
Conclusion – The Future of 1964 Roosevelt Dime Values
As a key 90% silver issue loaded with varieties and condition rarities, 1964 Roosevelt dimes are poised for continued gains ahead. Increasing precious metals prices and new collectors entering the market are likely to buoy values, especially for superb gem and high-end proof examples.
Whether you‘re building a basic date/mint set, collecting top-pop Registry sets, or stacking BU rolls for silver content, 1964 offers a path forward for every budget and interest level. Few modern series deliver as much value and variety in a single year.
Do you have a favorite 1964 Roosevelt dime variety or error? What‘s the highest grade you‘ve seen in person? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, happy collecting! With this guide at your fingertips, you‘re well-equipped to profit from these prized silver dimes.
