1949 Dime Value Today: Roosevelt Dime Prices Explained

One of the longest-running series in American coinage history is the Roosevelt dime, i.e., the coin that has been present in the monetary system of the United States since 1946. There is an infamous (yet benevolent) tradition to issue numismatic creations in the name of presidents who recently passed away – the same pattern was used in the case of dimes, too.

The early issues, like the 1949 silver dime, vividly demonstrate how condition, mint location, and errors may influence the price. Thus, we have compiled a complete guide on what the series means in general, how to define the 1949 Roosevelt dime value, and which coin identifier to employ so as to find the most peculiar instances on the market.

1949-S Roosevelt dime graded AU-58 by NGC

The 1949 Dime and Roosevelt Dime Series

There is no other president who might have had stronger connections with the dimes than President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself. It so happened that soon after his death in 1945, the United States Mint, along with state representatives and the Treasury Secretary, advocated for the introduction of a new dime design that would honor the late president. But why so?

Since 1921, Roosevelt had suffered from polio, and it was inevitable that he would eventually (and wholeheartedly) found and then support the organization whose aim would be to help fundraise for polio research, care, and rehabilitation – this is the March of Dimes. The name of the organization itself was inspired by this very coin, since Americans were widely encouraged to donate ten-cent pieces to support the cause.

The association of the dime with Roosevelt's personal struggle was quite strong. This is why the nation did not hesitate to accept the new initiative regarding the coin design (though many still considered Mercury dimes artful and exceptionally beautiful). And the early iterations of the coin (as well as the very first 1946 dime) were seen as the symbols of support, courage, and power inside us. But is a 1949 dime worth anything?

Franklin D. Roosevelt, founder and public face of the March of Dimes campaign.

Is a 1949 Dime Silver? Specs and Design Features

Obverse: Shows the bust of President Franklin D. Roosevelt by John R. Sinnock, as well as the inscriptions “LIBERTY” along the left rim, the national motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” below Roosevelt's chin, and the year "1949" positioned to the right.

Reverse: Features a torch, surrounded by an olive branch to the left and an oak branch to the right, along with the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in the background (closely to bottom part of these three pieces), “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the upper rim, the denomination “ONE DIME” along the borrow edge, and the mint mark (when present) to the left of the torch, closer to its base.

The Main Features
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Content	0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver
Weight	2.50 grams
Diameter	17.90 mm
Thickness	1.35 mm
Edge	Reeded
Shape	Round
Mint Marks	None for Philadelphia “D” for Denver “S” for San Francisco

Dimes by Mint Mark and Type

1949 10C

1949 Roosevelt dime from the Philadelphia Mint.

Produced by: Philadelphia Mint

Mintage: 30,940,000

Auction Record: $13,200 for MS68FB

The variety from the Philadelphia Mint tends to be the most common, as a rule. Indeed, it is widely available in circulation grades, and the average pieces are regularly sold for a price closer to their silver melt value. Nonetheless, sharply struck 1949 dime no mint mark examples with Full Bands designation can be worth a lot.

1949-D 10C

1949-D Roosevelt dime struck at the Denver Mint.

Produced by: Denver Mint

Mintage: 26,034,000

Auction Record: $5,635 for MS68

The 1949 D dime value may not be overly impressive, but here is the key: in general, these coins are easy to find, even though they are still less common than their Philadelphia counterparts. The idea is to find the most immaculately struck pieces with little to no wear at all.

1949-S 10C

1949-S Roosevelt dime from the San Francisco Mint.

Produced by: San Francisco Mint

Mintage: 13,510,000

Auction Record: $6,000 for MS68FB

Finally, here comes the least common variety, but even so, the 1949 S dime value is still not overly high. In Extremely Fine condition, it becomes somewhat more challenging to find but remains accessible. In Uncirculated grades, however, this issue is very scarce compared to most others in the series.

“The 1949-S Roosevelt Dime has the second-lowest mintage in the entire circulation strike silver Roosevelt Dime series. The only other lower mintage Dime in the series is the 1955-P.”
— Jaime Hernandez, PCGS expert
PCGS CoinFact

1949 Dime Value Today

What is a 1949 dime worth? This actually depends on the place of the coin’s origin and the grade, assigned after careful examination (by PCGS, NGC, or any other grading service), let alone the silver content that establishes its intrinsic worth. So, here is an overview of the 1949 silver dime value, depending on the grade and type.

Grade	1949 (P)	1949-D	1949-S
Good (G-4)	$2.00 – $2.50	$2.00 – $2.50	$2.25 – $2.75
Fine (F-12)	$2.25 – $3.00	$2.25 – $3.00	$3.00 – $4.00
Extremely Fine (XF-40)	$3.00 – $4.50	$3.25 – $5.00	$5.00 – $7.50
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$4.50 – $7.00	$5.00 – $8.00	$8.00 – $15.00
Mint State (MS-60)	$8.00 – $18.00	$6.00 – $10.00	$25.00 – $30.00
Choice MS (MS-63)	$22.00 – $45.00	$12.00 – $24.00	$40.00 – $90.00
Gem MS (MS-65)	$70 – $12,000+	$28 – $1,750	$140 – $7,500+

To find the most extraordinary pieces, feel free to use Coin ID Scanner, i.e., a numismatic encyclopedia and digital numismatists that may help one identify, study, and collect coins whenever they want.

1949 Dime Errors and Varieties (Top 3)

Doubled Die Obverse or Reverse

1949 dime doubled die error showing noticeable doubling.

Estimated Value: $175

This is probably one of the most widespread deviations on the market. It usually happens when, during the die creation process, the hub impresses the design onto the die more than once. As a result, there appears “doubling” on the obverse or reverse side (or both). Strong examples are scarce and highly collectible.

Off-Center Strike

Estimated Value: $140

An off-center strike can be appealing, since it creates a unique anomaly where the part of the design might be missing (the degree varies). The problem lies in the striking process, when the planchet was not properly seated within the coining chamber. The most important detail is the presence of a date and a mint mark to identify the coin and its type.

Die Break (Retained or Progressive)

1949 dime die break error displaying raised metal caused by a cracked or damaged die.

Estimated Value: $30

A die break is a deviation that may be produced when a part of the coin cracks or breaks after extended use. Properly functioning dies do not produce these features, which is why die breaks are classified as legitimate mint errors rather than post-mint damage. Smaller die cracks are relatively common and reasonably priced, but larger retained or progressive die breaks can be worth even more. Do not confuse it with intentionally altered coins!

Explore coins that might seem casual at first – their value can be hidden right in front of your eyes.

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