The first ever dime appeared in 1792. The value of the time is ten cents – 1 tenth of a dollar. One of the more interesting dimes to be minted is the 1961 dime. It features not only an American president but the only president in the country’s history to be elected times: Franklin Roosevelt.
The name of this particular coin is “1961 Roosevelt Dime”. While the value of this dime has not increased dramatically throughout the years, it’s an interesting coin. It’s possible to find a dime with significant value if you know what to look for.
At auctions, this particular dime has been sold for a price we’ll over 2500 dollars. While this is unusual, many well-preserved coins can reach a value of 500 dollars.
1961 Dime Value Details
- Category: Roosevelt Dimes
- Mint: Philadelphia (No mint mark), Denver
- Mintage:302,876,55
- Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Reverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Composition:90% Silver – 10% Copper
- Weight:5g
- Diameter:9mm
- Edge: Reeded
On the obverse, we see a left-facing Franklin Roosevelt. His most significant mark as a president was that he led the country through the Second World War and was elected a total of 4 times, despite legally a president can only be elected twice.
The Roosevelt dime obverse also has the word “liberty” inscribed on the left-hand side, in front of Roosevelt’s face. Underneath his chin are the words “In God We Trust” inscribed. Behind him, or underneath the neck, are both the initials of the designer “J.S” and the year of minting – 1961.
Some conspiracy theory-minded Americans thought the J.S. on the coin stood for Joseph Stalin. This is obviously not the case. As mentioned, the coin designer’s name is John Sinnock.
On the reverse of the dime, we see images and text. This reverse has actually rather unique features not seen on other coins.
Along the upper side of the rim of the coin are the words “United States of America” engraved. On the bottom side of the rim are the words “one dime” depicted. In between these two dime descriptions, we see the center of the coin. Here we see two rather detailed olive sprigs. In between the two sprigs is a torch.
And across the bottom half of the central images are the Latin words E Pluribus Unum”. This phrase is seen on other coins, too. The phrase translates to “out of many, one” referring to the many states that make up the United States of America.
Then these dime features are compromised, that is what the experts and collectors look at when they determine the value of the dime.
The value of the 1961 Dime has increased slightly since its time of circulation. While the value of the dime is still modest compared to some coins, its value at least goes beyond the silver it contains.
Next, we’ll take a look at the value of the 1961 Roosevelt dime in greater detail. Like with all coins, the better preserved they are, the higher their value will be. We’ll expand on the grading system further down.
1961 Dime Value Chart |
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| Condition | 1961 No Mint Mark Dime | 1961 D Dime |
| Good | $2.03 | $2.03 |
| Very Good | $2.03 | $2.03 |
| Fine | $2.03 | $2.03 |
| Very Fine | $2.03 | $2.03 |
| Extra Fine | $2.03 | $2.03 |
| AU | $2.20 | $2.20 |
| MS 60 | $3.31 | $3.31 |
| MS 63 | $7.31 | $7.31 |
| Pr 63 | $4.36 | – |
1961 Dime Value and Varieties Guides
The Roosevelt dimes are considered premium coins because of the silver. A total of 90% of the content of the coins is silver. The coins themselves, therefore, actually have a real market value above their own weight, not only for the collectors.
Silver content together with well-preserved coins can increase the value quite a bit. These premium coins were in circulation from 1946 to 1964. All of the coins are worth above their face value.
1961 No Mint Mark Dime Value
- Category: Roosevelt Dimes
- Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- Mintage: 93,730,000
- Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Reverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Composition: 90% Silver – 10% Copper
- Weight: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.9mm
- Edge: Reeded
In 1961 both minting locations, Philadelphia and Denver produced high quantities of the Roosevelt dime.
In Philadelphia, a total of 93,730,000 dimes were minted. This was a rather large number in 1961. A large number of coins, it is relatively modern coins at that, will decrease the value of this coin.
1961 D Dime Value
- Category: Roosevelt Dimes
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Mint Mark: D
- Mintage: 209,146,550
- Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Reverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Composition: 90% Silver – 10% Copper
- Weight: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.9mm
- Edge: Reeded
The Denver mintage created a much higher number of close to 210 million. All these coins have the mint mark “D” engraved. The Mint mark can be found on the lower-right side of the torch. Funny enough, Denver produced a much higher quantity of the Roosevelt Dime than the mintage in Philadelphia, despite the fact that Philadelphia also minted the proof coin.
The value of both these cons, Denver and Philadelphia, are essentially equal. There can be a difference when it comes to spectacular conditions and gradings of a coin series. But generally speaking, both coins are valued pretty much the same.
1961 Dime Proof Value
- Category: Roosevelt Dimes
- Mint: Philadelphia (No mint mark)
- Mintage: 3,028,24
- Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Reverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
- Composition: 90% Silver – 10% Copper
- Weight: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.9mm
- Edge: Reeded
Like always, the most valuable series of this coin would be the proof with no min mark.
As mentioned, the mintage in Philadelphia was also responsible for the production of the proof coin. They minted a total of 3,028,244 in 1961. The Roosevelt 1961 dime is slightly more valuable than the Denver and Philadelphia dime.
A low-grade proof coin can be found for $3. Naturally, the better the grade the higher the costs/value. A proof coin graded PR 66 will sell for $9.
There’s a significant value difference with DCAM 1961 dimes compared to the regular proof coin.
A PR 68 dime will sell in three different price groups. The value of a PR dime is $14. A PR CAM will reach a value of $25. Lastly, a PR 68 grading on a 1961 PR DCAM dime will be valued at $70.
When it comes to 1961 Roosevelt dimes with DCAM, the value, as you would expect, will increase dramatically. The price range of these cameo coins can reach $500.
At auctions, these DCAM 1961 dimes have reached a value of $2500. In December 2014, one collector paid a total of $5581 for a DCAM-graded PR 70l.
Regardless of which coin you’re looking for, or trying to sell, it’s important to know what the experts are looking at when you’re determining the value. Let’s first discuss the features of the Roosevelt dime.
Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money
1961 Dime History
The first interesting part of the 1961 dime is the word itself. Time is a Latin word that means one-tenth. In honor of the American president, the minting production of the dime began in 1946. However, Sinnock, the dime’s designer, had to redesign the time before production could begin.
The very first dime was released into public circulation on Roosevelt’s 64th birthday – 30th January, 1946.
The new domination, the dime, was made out of mostly silver. Previous denominations were made of Mercury. Eventually, a cheaper option than silver became available. So after 1965 silver coins became a rarity once more. Coins still keep some of their market value, regardless of the lack of precious metals it’s made up of, due to production errors.
Production of the 90% silver-proof dimes was resumed in 1992. These newer proof dimes also got the first mint mark “p” on the reverse.
1961 Dime Grading
Then it comes to grading coins there are a few things to look for. For example, an acceptable condition of the 1961 coin will see that the dividing hairline on Roosevelt’s head has lost its detail. Sometimes, it’s completely faded. Even the distinction between the forehead and hairline is faded.
There are also details around the eye that’s gotten lost in circulation. The overall coin is also relatively flat. New, or well-preserved, coins have both higher and lower contours.
An extremely fine-grade dime has details in the hair, for example. The line going from the nose next to the mouth is clearly visible. There’s a hint of luster still in this coin. Most of it can be grayish and worn, but compared to the low-grade dime, this one has lite in it.
There can be some smoothness around the cheek areas even in extremely fine conditions.
The mint state collector’s coin has next to no marks or signs of wear, on the surface. The color, luster, detail, and texture are the same all over the coin. There can’t even be any change in luster if you tilt it toward the light.
Naturally, there cannot be any breaks or dull spots. The absolute highest-graded coins have never even been in circulation. This is how they can keep such a luster and detail.
List of 1961 Dime Error
As we’ve seen, the production of these 1961 coins was quite significant considering the year of minting. This naturally will lead to many coins with errors. Here are some of the errors in the 1961 Roosevelt series to look out for.
- Non-centered striking errors: This is an error that occurs when the coin is not placed perfectly underneath the die in the minting process. This causes the image and text to be slightly off-center.
- Broadened or flattened error: Another problem that can happen when the dime isn’t placed correctly in its place during minting is the broad strike error. The die hit the coin it resulting in the coin either being flattened or broadened more than it was supposed to.
- Doubled-Die Hit: Here we have a problem due to hitting the coin more than once. The result is that the coin will have the same image or text twice on top of each other. Naturally, the overlap isn’t 100% perfect, which leads to an interesting observable error. This can occur both on the obverse and the reverse.
- Error with Lamination: Sometimes different materials will end up on top of the planchet right before the dire strikes. The mixture of materials causes the planchet to weaken after the die strike. This can lead to cracks in the coin.
- Wrong shape planchet: Not all planchets will come out with the exact same shape. Sometimes this error is more noticeable on some coins than others.
1961 Dime FAQ
Is a 1961 dime all silver?
No, the 1961 dime was made up of 90% silver and 10 Copper. It was, however, the first coin to possess such a large amount of silver. It replaced the Mercury coin.
What is a silver dime worth?
The 1961 Roosevelt silver time is generally between $2 – $10. The exact value of a silver dime will depend greatly on which grade it gets. A low-grade silver time will only be worth 2-5 dollars.
A mint state PR 70 Roosevelt silver time from 1961 can, and has been, valued at $2500 at an auction. This is a rare case, but dimes kept uncirculated and in good condition can be valued at a few hundred dollars at least.
Where is the mint mark on the 1961 dime?
Only the dime minted in Denver has a mint mark. And it can be found on the left-bottom side of the torch on the reverse side. The dimes minted in Philadelphia in 1961 did not get a mint mark. Not even the proof. The proof silver dime got its “P” mint mark only in 1992 when production of this coin design resumed.