History of the Roosevelt Dime

(1946 to Date)

The first Roosevelt Dime was issued in 1946. The obverse depicted the profile bust of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The reverse design is a torch flanked by an olive branch on the left and an oak branch on the right. The Roosevelt Dime marked the first time that a U.S. Dime depicted a figure other than Lady Liberty! The Roosevelt Dime was designed by John R. Sinnock.When the coin was originally issued, it was rumored, by an ignorant and paranoid post-was public, that the JS was placed on the coin to show allegiance to Joseph Stalin. Although this is completely false, it can be noted that the next coin Sinnock designed bore his full initials JAS. (Stalin's middle name is Vissarionovich!) Sinnock also designed the Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963).

The Roosevelt Dime was originally composed of 90% Silver and 10% Copper. The silver Roosevelt Dimes were struck from 1946 to 1964. They weigh 2.50 grams and a reeded edge. The edges of most silver coins were reeded to make evident any attempt to shave silver off the coin.

In 1965 the composition changed to a 75% Copper and 25% Nickel outer shell bonded to a pure copper middle. They weigh 2.27 grams. This composition is still used today for circulating issues.

All Roosevelt Dimes have a diameter of 17.9 mm. The edges of the clad piece are still reeded for traditions' sake.

These ten cent pieces have been struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point Mints.

Terms and Mint Marks

BU (Brilliant Uncirculated): A strictly uncirculated coin with attractive mint luster but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes.

P (Philadelphia): The 'P' mint mark is located on the obverse, to the right of the truncation of the neck, just above the date. * Note: Roosevelt Dimes struck in Philadelphia prior to 1980 bear no mint mark.

D (Denver): The 'D' mint mark was originally located on the reverse to the left of the bottom of the torch. In 1968 the mint mark was relocated to the obverse, to the right of the truncation of the neck, just above the date, where it remains to
this day.

S (San Francisco): The 'S' mint mark was originally located on the reverse to the left of the bottom of the torch. In 1968 the mint mark was relocated to the obverse, to the right of the truncation of the neck, just above the date, where it remains to this day.

W (West Point): The 'W' mint mark is located on the obverse, to the right of the truncation of the neck, just above the date. The W mint mark has been used on various commemorative and bullion coins since the establishment of the W mint mark in 1983. As well a 1996-W Roosevelt dime was included in the 1996 Uncirculated Mint
set as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the design. However, no coins struck for circulation have bourne a W mint mark.

 

 

 

 

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