1948 Roosevelt Dime Value Guide

What Is the 1948 Roosevelt Dime Made Of?

The 1948 Roosevelt dime is among the US’s most beloved and popular coins. It was first struck in 1946 to replace the Mercury dime. Since then, the US Mint has continued to issue the Roosevelt dime. 

If you’re looking for a silver coin to add to your collection, then the 1948 Roosevelt should be on top of your list. It has 90% silver content, and the rest is copper. Its silver fineness level is 0.9, while its actual silver weight (ASW) is 0.0723oz. The same composition was used until 1964.

By 1965, the US Mint needed to remove silver content from the Roosevelt dime to lower the cost of producing coins.

The Roosevelt dime has a face value of 10 cents, a mass of 2.50 grams, and a diameter of 17.90 millimeters. A fun fact: the dime is currently the smallest coin in terms of diameter and thickness.

photo source: USA Coin Book

When it comes to design, you’ll find the face of Roosevelt on the obverse. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 1948.

On the reverse, you’ll find three primary images: olive branch, Liberty torch, and oak branch. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DIME, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Itprettyite interesting how the US Mint chose the dime to be the coin that will feature the face of Roosevelt. You see, Roosevelt was ill with polio. As someone who has experienced the disease firsthand, he spearheaded the formation of the March of Dimes, which is a nonprofit organization that improves the health of mothers and babies.

The primary method of the organization in collecting funds is asking every individual to contribute 10 cents, which can easily become a considerable amount if many people contribute.

On April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away. Many people loved him as he was the president who took the reins of the US and led it through the Great Depression and World War II. As a way to honor the beloved president, the lawmakers acted fast to add him to one of the coins of the US.

They chose the 10-cent coin, and in 1946, the Roosevelt dime was born.

1948 Roosevelt Dime Varieties

The 1948 Roosevelt dime has three official varieties. These are the 1948-D, 1948-P, and 1948-S. During this year, no proof coins were produced due to cost-cutting, and the country was recovering from the war.

Aside from these standard-issued coins, some error coins give rise to a new variety.

To learn more, here are the 1948 Roosevelt Dime Varieties:

1948 D Roosevelt Dime

photo source: PCGS

The Denver Mint produced the second most number of Roosevelt dimes in 1948, with more than 52,841,000 issued. As a result, the price may range from $9 to $85.

It should be noted that the 1948-D is considered to be the most well-struck variety compared to the other coins produced in San Francisco or Philadelphia.

1948 P Roosevelt Dime

photo source: PCGS

The 1948-P dime was the most abundant dime variety in 1948. The Philadelphia Mint produced almost 75 million Roosevelt dimes. The usual selling price of the 1948 P dime is $7 to $15.

Due to the war and Great Depression, the dime’s mintage fell. However, because fewer dimes were produced in 1948, many speculators and collectors saved hundreds of BU dime rolls. Thus, today, many dimes are available up to MS66 grade.

If you’re looking for the most valuable 1948-P dime, you should look for the Full Band Prooflike coin. This coin has a detailed look of the Liberty torch. Not only that, but the coin looks like it was made like a proof coin.

Usually, this happens when the die is freshly polished. Because it is in its best condition, even if the Mint didn’t plan to make the coin look like a proof, it will look a proof because of the excellent quality of the die.

1948 S Roosevelt Dime

photo source: PCGS

The San Francisco Mint produced more than 35 million 1948 dimes. At that time, perhaps, the most hoarded variety was the 1948-S. The S varieties of dimes are known to have a frosty and bright luster. Although this might sound wonderful, the peripheral elements near the coin’s edge are frequently shallow and distorted. This resulted in due die erosion.

1948-S dimes may start at $8 to $20 with its price.

List of 1948 Roosevelt Dime Errors

There were more than 160 million Roosevelt dimes issued in 1948. As the country recovered from the war, almost all agencies, including the US Mint, needed to cut costs.

As a result, the 1948 Roosevelt dimes were produced with poor quality control. So, it should not be surprising to see some dimes have errors.

One of the most common errors of dime production in 1948 was the S over S repunched mint. The Denver and San Francisco Mint added a mint mark on the coins they produced. Sometimes, these mint marks are struck to the coin twice. So, if you look closely, you’ll see some doubling on the mint mark S.

Repunched Mint marks also happened in the Denver Mint. However, it was just minor, and only a few received this error.

Aside from that, there’s also the doubled die strike error. This happens when the die hits the planchet twice. Again, you’ll find doubling, especially on the inscribed letters.

Doubled die strike errors aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, you need a microscope or magnifying glass to find the error. For example, you might be holding a valuable coin if you have a dime with an obvious or prominent doubled die strike error.

How Much Is 1948 Roosevelt Dime Worth Today?

The 1948 Roosevelt dime has a face value of 10 cents. Its melt value is slightly higher at $1.7340, which is expected since the 1948 dime is made of silver. The melt value of the dime may increase (or even decrease) depending on the market value of silver.

Nevertheless, the actual value of the 1948 Roosevelt dime doesn’t lie in its face value or melt value. So if you have a rare 1948 10-cent or it is still in good condition, you could earn a lot from your coin.

Here’s a 1948 Roosevelt Dime value chart that you should go check out:

The 1948 Roosevelt dime is more valuable than you think. As you can see on the table, some were sold for hundreds and thousands of dollars.

You will begin to appreciate more the value of the 1948 Roosevelt dime when you read the following auction records for each variety:

• $4,465 – a 1948-S 10C, FB (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS68FB sold in April 2016 by Heritage Auctions
• $4,313 – a 1948-D 10C, FB (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS68 sold in November 2005 by Heritage Auctions
• $1,100 – a 1948 10C (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS68 sold in June 2021 by eBay

How Does The Grading System Work?

The Sheldon Scale is used by numismatists to provide a numerical value to coins. The Sheldon Scale goes from poor (P-1) to perfect mint state (P-1) (MS-70). Coins were originally evaluated using words to reflect their condition (Good, Fair, Excellent, Etc.). Unfortunately, coin collectors and dealers had different ideas about what each of these terms represent.

Professional numismatists joined together in the 1970s and established CoinGrading standards. These numismatists now assign grades at key places on the seventy-point scale, using the most regularly utilized numeric points in conjunction with the original adjective grade. The following are the most common coin grades:

1. 1. • (P-1) Poor – Indistinguishable and probably damaged; if used, must have a date and mintmark; otherwise, rather battered.
      • (FR-2) Fair – Nearly smooth, but without the damage that a coin graded Poor often possesses. The coin must have enough detail to be identified.
      • (G-4) Fair – Inscriptions have merged into the rims in some areas, and important elements have been mostly erased.
      • (VG-8) Very Good- A little weathered, but all of the primary design elements are visible, albeit faintly. There is little if any, central detail left.
      • (F-12) Good – The item is very worn, yet the wear is even, and the overall design details stand out clearly. Rims are almost completely isolated from the field.
      • (VF-20) Very Fine – Moderately weathered, with some finer features still visible. The motto or all letters of LIBERTY are readable. Both sides of the coin have entire rims that are separated from the field.
      • (EF-40) Extremely Fine – Gently used; all gadgets are visible, and the most important ones are bold. The finer details are bold and clear, however, light wear may be seen.
      • (AU-50) Uncirculated – Slight evidence of wear on the coin’s design’s high points; may have contact marks; eye appeal should be adequate.
      • (AU-58) Uncirculated Choice – Slight traces of wear, no severe contact marks, almost full mint shine, and great eye appeal.
      • (MS-60) Mint State Basal – Strictly uncirculated; no indication of wear on the coin’s highest points, but an unsightly coin with reduced luster, visible contact marks, hairlines, and other flaws.
      • (MS-63) Mint State Acceptable – Uncirculated, but with contact scratches and nicks, little reduced shine, but otherwise appealing appearance. The strike is weak to average.
      • (MS-65) Mint State Choice – Uncirculated with great mint shine, very little contact blemishes, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is unusually severe.
      • (MS-68) Mint State Premium Quality – Uncirculated with superb luster, no obvious contact marks to the naked eye, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is quick and appealing.
      • (MS-69) Almost Perfect Mint State – Uncirculated with perfect brilliance, a sharp and appealing strike, and extremely good eye appeal. A near-perfect coin with minor imperfections in the planchet, strike, and contact markings (seen only under 8x magnification).
      • (MS-70) Mint State Perfect – Under 8x magnification, there are no tiny imperfections discernible; the strike is crisp, and the coin is perfectly centered on a beautiful planchet. Rarely seen on a coin, this coin is bright and whole, with original luster and exceptional eye appeal.

Where To Buy Or Sell 1948 Roosevelt Dime?

The 1948 Roosevelt dime should be fairly easy to obtain even though it was struck more than 70 years ago. The most common places to buy a 1948 Roosevelt dime would be coin shops, pawnshops, antique stores, and auction houses.

A quicker way to find 1948 Roosevelt dimes would be on the Internet. Even a simple Google search such as “Buy 1948 Roosevelt dime” or “Sell 1948 Roosevelt dime” can give you hundreds of helpful links.

FAQs

How much is a 1948 S dime worth?

As its face value shows, the 1948 S dime is worth 10 cents. However, its melt value is slightly higher, surpassing the one-dollar mark. Therefore, if you have a 1948 S dime with unique and rare attributes, you’ll surely be able to have a more valuable 1948 S dime. To give you an idea, the current auction record for a 1948 S is $4,465.

Where is the mint mark on a 1948 dime?

The mint mark on a 1948 dime is on the coin’s reverse side. Therefore, you should see a D or S on the left side of the Liberty torch’s tip.

What is a 1948 Roosevelt dime worth?

The 1948 Roosevelt dime is worth around $5 for circulated ones. However, 1948 dimes with a grade of at least MS65 should be worth more.