1956 Roosevelt Dime Value Guide

The 1956 dime is a 10-cent coin the United States government issued in 1956. As an old coin with silver in it, the 1956 dime is a popular coin for many enthusiasts to collect. If you want to learn more about the history, composition, design, and value of the 1956 dime, you will be glad you came here.

 What Is the 1956 Roosevelt Dime Made Of?

photo source: NGC

The 1956 Roosevelt dime has a core of silver and is clad with copper. Specifically, the 1956 10-cent coin is composed of 10% copper and 25% silver. Starting in 1965, the silver was removed, and the US Mint produced dimes with 75% copper and 25% nickel. Although, there are still Collectors’ versions of dimes, which are made of silver. The US Mint began to produce these special silver dimes in 1992.

Regarding the design, the 1956 Dime obverse side features the image of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was a fitting tribute to him since he was one of the key movers of the March of Dimes organization.

Aside from Roosevelt, the obverse comes with inscriptions such as the following:

• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• 1956
• Mint mark (if present)
• Designer’s initials

On the reverse side of the coin, you have the olive branch on the left, the Liberty Torch on the center, and the oak branch on the right. Inscriptions include the following:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• ONE DIME

The specifications of the 1956 dime are as follows:

• Value – 10 cents
• Diameter – 17.91 mm
• Reeded edge
• Weight – 2.50 g
• Actual Silver Weight – 0.0723 oz
• Fineness: 0.9
• Designer: John R. Sinnock
• Years of minting – from 1946 to present

1956 Roosevelt Dime Varieties

The US Mint produced more than 217 million 1956 dimes. Only the Denver and Philadelphia Mint worked together to manufacture the needed number of dimes in 1956.

According to a theory, the San Francisco Mint didn’t produce dimes in 1956 because the Denver Mint could already produce enough coins for the Western part of the United States.

Here’s a look at the varieties of the 1956 dimes and their mintage:

The Roosevelt dime varieties differ based on their mint mark; no other significant difference exists.

Continue reading below to learn more details about each of the 1956 10-cent varieties:

1956 D Roosevelt Dime

Photo Source: PCGS

The Denver Mint produced more than 108 million dimes in 1956, This is a huge mintage if you compare it to the previous year, which only sees a mintage figure of 13,959,000.

1956 P Roosevelt Dime

Photo Source: PCGS

The Philadelphia Mint produced the most number of dimes in 1956, with more than 108 million examples. Just like the Denver Mint, the Philadelphia Mint produced a massive number of dimes compared to the previous year of minting, which is only 12,450,181 dimes.

There are a lot of 1956 P dimes that survived and were certified with grades up to MS 67. However, poor quality control led to only a few coins with Full Band designation.

1956 Proof Roosevelt Dime

Photo Source: PCGS

The Philadelphia Mint also produced almost 670 thousand proof versions of the dime in 1956. You should easily find 1956-proof dimes in most grades up to PR 68. However, you would have difficulty finding them in cameo and deep cameo designation.

List Of 1956 Roosevelt Dime Errors

Error coins are a common thing to happen in any year of minting. The 1956 Roosevelt dime is no exception. Various factors could cause errors in coins, but usually, it is mechanical in nature.

Here are some of the examples of 1956 Roosevelt dime errors:

Clipped planchet

The clipped planchet happens when there’s a misfeed in the blanking machine. Straight and curved clips are two of the most common manifestations of the clipped planchet error, but the latter is more common.

Here’s an example of a clipped planchet error on a 1956 dime:

Image source: eBay

Repunched mintmark

The mint mark is punched to the planchet separately. Sometimes, this mint mark is punched twice, leading to the repunched mintmark (RPM) error. If the second strike is of a slightly different angle, there would be a visible doubling of the letter.

Here’s an example:

Image source: eBay

Doubled die error

A doubled die error may occur when the die strikes the planchet twice. You can see this error as a doubling of the different engraved elements on the coin.

Here’s an example of doubled die error on a 1956 dime:

Image source: eBay

The more prominent the doubling, the higher the coin’s value could be.

Die break

The die can eventually break due to wear and tear. When this happens, the die develops a crack on its surface. When the die hits the planchet, the crack is also impressed on the blank coin.

Here’s how a die break may appear on a 1956 dime:

Image source: eBay

How Much Is 1956 Roosevelt Dime Worth Today?

The 1956 Roosevelt dime has a face value of 10 cents. Since it’s made of silver, it has a higher melt value of $1.5980. Buying a circulated Roosevelt dime would cost around $2.10 to $2.60.

While the melt value, face value, and circulated coin price seem low, some 1956 dimes cost more. Take a look at this chart that shows the auction record for each variety:

How Does The Grading System Work?

The 1956 Roosevelt dime is graded based on its preservation, luster, strike, color, and attractiveness. In the past, people tended to disagree with the grade they gave because they can be highly subjective. Nevertheless, this changed when the Sheldon Scale was introduced.

The Sheldon Scale comes with a 1 to 70 grading system. Based on your coin’s condition, an appraiser would use the Sheldon Scale and grade it.

Aside from the grade, adjectives are also given to 1956 dimes, such as Poor, Good, Fine, and Uncirculated. Moreover, a dime can also be regarded as MS (Mint State) or Proof (PR). MS is given to dimes originally made for circulation, while PR is given to coins made for collectors.

Moreover, dimes also have a special designation called Full Band or Full Torch. Any coin with a detailed Liberty Torch on the reverse side is given this designation.

Where To Buy Or Sell 1956 Roosevelt Dime?

You can buy 1956 Roosevelt dimes online and in coin shops. You can also sell 1956 Roosevelt dimes in the same places where you can buy them.

The main advantage of buying a coin online is that you have a lot of choices. It’s also quick and easy. However, remember that you can’t physically inspect the coin and must rely on pictures or videos. Plus, you must wait for your coin to arrive at your doorstep.

If the Internet doesn’t work, you can visit coin shops, antique stores, and auction houses. While this can be a longer process, you would have the chance to work with more reputable vendors.

FAQs

Does a 1956 dime have silver?

Yes, the 1956 dime has silver. It is made of 90% silver and 10% copper.

Where is the mint mark on a 1956 dime?

The mint mark on a 1956 dime is found at the right base of the Liberty Torch.

How much is a 1956 silver dime worth?

Circulated 1956 silver dime $2 to $3. The face value of a 1956 silver dime is 10 cents, but it has a higher melt value of around $1 to $2. Nevertheless, 1956 silver dimes in proof or mint state can be more valuable. For example, a 1956 proof dime was sold for $19,975 in October 2016.