Grading the Roosevelt Dime
The Roosevelt dime has been minted since 1946; 1946–1964 coins are 90% silver and 1965-and-later are copper-nickel clad. Designed by John Sinnock, its reverse torch is the key to grading, look for 'Full Bands' (PCGS) or 'Full Torch' (NGC), meaning the horizontal bands on the torch are fully and sharply separated.
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At a glance
| Years | 1946–present |
|---|---|
| Designer | John R. Sinnock |
| Denomination | Dimes |
| Composition | 1946–1964: 90% silver, 10% copper. 1965–present: copper-nickel clad (75% Cu / 25% Ni over a copper core). Silver collector proofs resumed 1992. |
| Diameter | 17.90 mm |
| Weight | Clad 2.27 g (silver issues ~2.50 g) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mints | Philadelphia (P / no mark on early issues), Denver (D), San Francisco (S, circulation 1946–1955; proofs since 1968), West Point (W, the 1996-W mint-set dime and the 2015-W silver proof) |
Major subtypes
| Subtype | Years |
|---|---|
| Silver | 1946–1964 |
| Copper-nickel clad | 1965–present |
| Silver proofs | 1992–present |
Where wear shows first
- Roosevelt's cheekbone and high hair above/around the ear (obverse)
- The torch flame and central bands (reverse)
Other points to check
- Hair behind the ear
- The olive and oak branches flanking the torch
Common weak-strike areas
- The central horizontal bands of the torch (reverse), frequently weakly struck and the focus of strike grading
Strike designations
PCGS Full Bands (FB): MS60+ with full separation of both the upper and lower horizontal band pairs on the torch, with no significant cuts across them. NGC Full Torch (FT): both band pairs separated AND the vertical torch lines defined (slightly stricter); not applied to proofs.
Grading circulated coins
Good (G-4): Roosevelt's hair is worn into wide flat areas with only facial contours remaining, rims are low, and on the reverse the flame is a bare outline with about half the torch's vertical lines showing. Very Good (VG-8): the major hair waves separate at the front and most torch lines return, though the horizontal bands stay merged. Fine (F-12): hair detail fills in across the top of the head, the flame separates from the torch, and leaf veins show faintly. Very Fine (VF-20): hair strands are distinct with flatness only on the wave above the ear, the jaw and cheek keep rounded contours, and the torch's vertical lines are complete. Extremely Fine (EF-40): hair shows good definition with slight wear on the highest waves, the torch bands are visible though flat at their centers, and leaf detail is sharp. About Uncirculated (AU-50): only a trace of friction on the hair above the ear, the cheek, and the torch bands and flame, with luster largely intact. Caveats: the very low relief makes wear subtle, so lean on luster breaks over missing detail; and since circulated 1946-1964 dimes carry little premium beyond silver value, grading effort concentrates at AU and above.
Grading Mint State coins
Grade-limiting marks fall on the open obverse fields and the cheek. Many business strikes show weak torch bands as struck, so distinguishing as-struck weakness from circulation wear is the key difficulty; Full Bands / Full Torch coins are markedly scarcer and command premiums.
Proof grading
Proofs are graded for mirror fields and frost; Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo apply. The Full Bands (PCGS) / Full Torch (NGC) strike designation does NOT apply to proofs.
Key dates
- 1949-S (second-lowest silver mintage; the series' silver key)
- 1996-W (mint-set only, first base-metal W-mintmark)
Semi-key dates
- 1955-P (lowest circulating mintage of the silver run), 1955-D, 1955-S
- 1950-S
- 1949-D
Major varieties
- 1982 No-Mintmark (Philadelphia; weak- and strong-strike variants)
- 1968 / 1970 / 1975 No-S proof rarities
- 1954-S 'No JS' (FS-901)
Common problems
- Weak torch bands (as struck)
- Cleaning / whizzing
- Environmental spotting on clad issues
- Contact marks in open fields
Signs of cleaning or damage
- Hairline scratches
- Unnatural brightness / whizzing
- Disturbed luster
Toning
Silver issues (1946–1964) can develop vivid rainbow toning that sharply raises value at gem grade; clad issues tone less attractively and can go dull or greenish.
Counterfeit & alteration risks
- Altered/added mintmarks (S/W) and faked No-S proof and 1996-W rarities (generally lower risk than 1932 quarters)
For the advanced grader
The torch bands sit at the highest relief and deepest die cavity, so weak strikes are common and must be told apart from circulation wear. PCGS Full Bands requires full separation of both horizontal band pairs (MS60+, no disturbing marks); NGC Full Torch additionally requires defined vertical torch lines and excludes proofs. Fully struck FB/FT coins are much scarcer than flat-band examples, and vivid original toning on silver issues can multiply value.
Photographic examples
Click any image to enlarge and zoom. Where shown, obverse, reverse, and edge views are of the same coin and year.
Same coin: 1996-S Roosevelt dime
More dimes to explore
Sources: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) · Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) · Coin World
Evidence pages
Related terms
Weak Strike · Wear · Luster · Cameo (CAM / CA) · Deep Cameo / Ultra Cameo (DCAM / UC) · Toning