Rounding up Roosevelt Dimes

TN109_112 7/17/03 1:57 PM Page 109

GETTING STARTED MITCH SANDERS Rounding Up Roosevelt Dimes

America’s 10-cent piece, symbolic of our respect for a President’s service during a difficult era, is relatively easy to collect.

NE GREAT WAY to enjoy Three mints have produced Roose- the finest in coinage production, and numismatics is to velt dimes for circulation. Philadel- are boldly struck with mirrored fields. specialize in a par- phia issues originally carried no mint- The Philadelphia Mint made silver ticular series. Numisma- mark, but have displayed a “P” since proof dimes, along with circulation tists often pursue their fa- 1980. Denver and San Francisco spec- strikes from 1950 to 1964. San Fran- vorite coins in detail, imens have “D” and “S” mintmarks, cisco has issued clad proof dimes learning all aspects of their his- respectively. On a few occasions, since 1968 and silver proofs since tory while putting together a com- mostly during the coin shortage of the 1992, and these are the only recent plete collection. One popular collect- mid 1960s, mintmarks were sup- dimes with “S” mintmarks. In 1996 ing strategy is to acquire an example pressed. (Mintmarks are the West Point Mint (near Roo- of every possible date and mintmark located to the lower sevelt’s home in Hyde Park, combination in a series. As an exam- left of the torch until New York) produced dimes ple of this method, here are some sug- 1964 and above the with a “W” mintmark to gestions for assembling a set of Roo- date since 1968.) celebrate the series’ 50th sevelt dimes. One attraction anniversary. All these col- This coin first was issued in 1946, of the Roosevelt lector-only pieces were is- the year after the death of our 32nd dime series is that sued in annual coinage President. The dime was a natural all coins are read- sets, but dealers typically choice for honoring Franklin D. Roo- ily available—even sell them individually. The sevelt, a polio sufferer who had been in nice, uncirculated early Philadelphia proofs instrumental in the March of Dimes condition. Individual and some of the recent silver fund-raising campaign to combat the pieces do vary in proofs are the most expen- debilitating disease. The obverse por- quality, so look for sive collector-only issues, trait of Roosevelt by Mint Chief En- specimens that but even these are reason- graver John Sinnock later drew praise are appealing and ably priced.

PHOTOS: ANA MUSEUM/JOHN NEBEL from art historian Cornelius Ver- well preserved. Really, the only scarce meule, who called it “a precise, de- The copper-nickel Roosevelt dimes are die tailed portrait which shows full force clad issues are varieties, though these are of character amid a faithful portrayal.” common because of not essential for a date/ Sinnock’s reverse design incorpo- their tremendous mint collection. One exam- rates elements symbolic of the end of mintages. Silver dimes ple is the 1982 “no mintmark” World War II, which Roosevelt him- no longer circulate, but a dime, created when a die acciden- self did not live to see. A torch of free- plentiful selection still can be found in tally was put into service without a dom appears between an olive branch the numismatic marketplace. mintmark. (If you are interested, you representing peace and an oak branch No Roosevelt dimes are truly rare, can add this and other varieties to representing strength. and even the most expensive pieces your collection later.) Initially, Roosevelt dimes were 90- (also known as “keys” to the series)— The Roosevelt dime is a diminutive percent silver, but the rising price of the 1949 Philadelphia issue, and San coin, but assembling a complete set is the metal caused a change in 1965. Francisco specimens from 1949, 1950 no small accomplishment. As you col- Subsequently, dimes have been made and 1951—are quite affordable. Over- lect this accessible and affordable of a “clad” composition, with outer all, you can put together a nice set in series, you’ll find that the pleasure of layers of copper-nickel bonded to an top condition, without great expense. acquiring each individual coin culmi- inner layer of pure copper. If you look Your collection also can include nates with a set that will provide last- at the edge of a contemporary dime, non-circulating issues made specifi- ing enjoyment. you can see the layers. cally for collectors. Proofs represent [email protected]