1955 Dime Value: Silver Content, Mint Marks, and Errors

The early years of the Roosevelt dime series were quite peculiar: each new iteration brought something new, extraordinary to the entire numismatic scene of that time. Looking back at the pre-1965 coinage era (the time when regular coins were still minted in silver), one may point out the lowest mintages in circulation strikes of the type. One of the key years to know is 1955.

The 1955 silver dime value is defined by a small checklist: silver content, mint marks, the grades, the presence of errors, and, more importantly, the nature of coin production itself. So, what should we know to check coin value on the spot? What are the main characteristics of the 1955 Roosevelt dime, and which alternative variations (=errors) to look for?

The Roosevelt Dime Series: A Quick Overview

1955 Roosevelt dime PCGS MS67 Full Bands toned silver coin

The Roosevelt dime series is one of the longest-running design series in current US coinage history, surpassed only by the Lincoln penny, the Washington quarter mintage, and the Jefferson nickel worth. Originally, it was created to perpetuate the legacy and contributions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in metal, who passed away shortly before the introduction in 1945. Hence, the first coin to bear this design is the 1946 Roosevelt dime (minted in silver).

Numismatists divide the program into two major periods, i.e., the silver issues (1946–1964) and clad issues (1965–present). The early products of the US Mint were inherently more valuable, as they contained 90% silver, let alone mint marks and conditions that also matter. All in all, these units of currency are produced even today, though their role has gradually diminished.

1955 Dime Silver Content

Yes, a 1955 Roosevelt dime was produced in silver, and it is true about all the 10-cent pieces of the series, struck before the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965, which demanded that all circulating dimes be minted in copper-nickel clad from then on.

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Weight (standard): 2.50 grams
Pure silver content (ASW): ~0.0723 troy oz of silver
Edge: Should show a more uniform silver-gray edge

1959-D Roosevelt dime with double die and lamination errors

Design Features and Specifications

Obverse: Demonstrates a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt by John R. Sinnock, turned to the inscription "LIBERTY" (which is placed along the upper-left part of the rim), the national motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” below Roosevelt's chin, the initials of the designer "JS", and the year of mintage to the right of the bust (below).

Reverse: Features an arrangement of the Torch of Liberty (at the center), an olive branch (to the left), and a branch of oak (to the right), as well as the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” across the upper rim, a symbolic phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” behind the trio composition, a mint mark closer to the lower-left part of the torch, and a denomination “ONE DIME” across the bottom.

The Main Specifications
Face Value	10 cents
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Weight	2.50 g
Diameter	17.90 mm
Thickness	~1.35 mm
Edge	Reeded (118 reeds)

1955 Silver Dime Types by Mint Mark

1955 10C

1955 Roosevelt dime from the Philadelphia Mint.

Produced by: Philadelphia Mint

Mintage: 12,450,181

Auction Record: $9,300 for MS68

The 1955 dime no mint mark is the key low-mintage circulation strike of this type, with only the 1996 Roosevelt dime from the West Point posting a smaller figure. Circulated (worn) examples are plentiful, which is why their prices are not too high. Nevertheless, the upper grades are significantly rarer, and their prices tend to be the most impressive in the line.

“With Full Band details, the 1955-P Roosevelt Dime is very challenging to locate. <...> There are probably fewer than 500 examples that exist in all grades combined or less, with Full Bands details showing on the reverse of the coin. Most Full Bands examples of this date and mint mark probably fall in the MS64 to MS66 category…”
— Jaime Hernandez, renowned numismatist, PCGS price guide editor
PCGS CoinFacts

1955-D 10C

1955-D Roosevelt dime from the Denver Mint.

Produced by: Denver Mint

Mintage: 13,959,000

Auction Record: $7,763 for MS68

Notwithstanding the fact that it also refers to the lower-mintage circulation strikes of the 1946–1964 silver Roosevelt dimes and the most exquisite pieces boast an impressive 1955 D dime value, the 1955-D issue is regularly encountered in everyday circulated condition, since many were saved early on. Scarcity can be observed at the top of the grading ladder, though.

1955-S 10C

1955-S Roosevelt dime from the San Francisco Mint.

Produced by: San Francisco Mint

Mintage: 18,510,000

Auction Record: $4,025 for MS67

The 1955 S dime value reveals that the product of the San Francisco Mint is quite modest in the circulated grades, which are widely available. However, the availability narrows in MS66, then drops sharply in MS67, where true high-end pieces become scarce.

1955 10C (Proof)

The 1955 proof Roosevelt dime from the Philadelphia Mint.

Produced by: Philadelphia Mint

Mintage: 378,200

Auction Record: $2,588 for PR69

The only proof iteration of 1955 (in terms of the dimes) was produced by the Philadelphia Mint, and the most desirable pieces are those that feature either CAM (Cameo) or DCAM (Deep Cameo) designations, i.e., the stronger the frost-to-mirror contrast. As Jaime Hernandez states, top-end Deep Cameo examples are notably limited (no examples graded above PR68DCAM were reported by PCGS).

1955 Dime Errors and Varieties

1955 Roosevelt dime curved clip error in MS67 condition

One of the most interesting aspects of the monetary sector refers to coin errors, i.e., numismatic creations with exclusive deviations that occurred during the minting process and set them apart from standard, correctly struck pieces. These include:

DDO/DDR (Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse): up to $250
Curved clip (clipped planchet): up to $130
Struck-through error: up to $80
RPM (Repunched Mint Mark): up to $60
Filled mint mark: up to $20

1955 Roosevelt Dime Value by Mint Mark (None, D, S)

The worth of the 1955 Roosevelt dimes may vary, as it is dependent on the quality of the strike, the type, and the grade as well. Those pieces that have signs of wear are usually sold for their face value or slightly above this figure. Nonetheless, the prices in Mint State levels also differ, so let us take a quick look at them, too.

1955 Roosevelt Dime Uncirculated and High-Grade Worth

Grade	1955	1955-D	1955-S	1955 Proof
MS62/PR62	$7–$8	$9	$7–$8	$8–$13
MS63/PR63	$12–$14	$12	$10–$12	$20–$24
MS64/PR64	$15–$18	$14–$15	$20–$22	$30–$45
MS65/PR65	$30–$46	$20–$25	$26–$34	$85–$100
MS66/PR66	$160–$275	$30–$60	$70–$160	$185–$215
MS67/PR67	$650–$4,000	$135–$500	$1,650–$4,500	$275–$450
MS68/PR68	$7,500	$6,500	$5,000	$1,250–$1,900
MS69–70/PR69–70	–	–	–	$20,000

1955 Dime Value Today: Collector vs Silver Price

Since a 1955 Roosevelt dime is 90% silver, it has a bullion “floor” (melt value) separate from the collector's additional rates. That said,

Melt value = 0.07234 × $108.02 = $7.81 (rounded)

This is the basic price of the coin, and a lower worth is simply impossible due to the metal content it may boast.

We highly recommend that one should employ additional tools to explore a wider range of coins and learn more about their basics. Try Coin ID Scanner – an innovative app that offers quick identification by photo, educational resources, and collection management tools at the same time. Good luck!

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