Grading US CoinsLearn to grade U.S. coins accurately and responsibly

Grading the Roosevelt Dime

The Roosevelt dime has been minted since 1946; 1946–1964 coins are 90% silver and 1965-and-later are copper-nickel clad. Designed by John Sinnock, its reverse torch is the key to grading, look for 'Full Bands' (PCGS) or 'Full Torch' (NGC), meaning the horizontal bands on the torch are fully and sharply separated.

At a glance

Years1946–present
DesignerJohn R. Sinnock
DenominationDimes
Composition1946–1964: 90% silver, 10% copper. 1965–present: copper-nickel clad (75% Cu / 25% Ni over a copper core). Silver collector proofs resumed 1992.
Diameter17.90 mm
WeightClad 2.27 g (silver issues ~2.50 g)
EdgeReeded
MintsPhiladelphia (P / no mark on early issues), Denver (D), San Francisco (S, proofs), West Point (W, special 1996-W only)

Major subtypes

SubtypeYears
Silver1946–1964
Copper-nickel clad1965–present
Silver proofs1992–present

Where wear shows first

Other points to check

Common weak-strike areas

Strike designations

PCGS Full Bands (FB): MS60+ with full separation of both the upper and lower horizontal band pairs on the torch, with no significant cuts across them. NGC Full Torch (FT): both band pairs separated AND the vertical torch lines defined (slightly stricter); not applied to proofs.

Grading circulated coins

Wear appears first on the cheek and high hair (obverse) and the torch flame and bands (reverse); as the grade drops the horizontal torch bands merge and the branch detail flattens.

Grading Mint State coins

Grade-limiting marks fall on the open obverse fields and the cheek. Many business strikes show weak torch bands as struck, so distinguishing as-struck weakness from circulation wear is the key difficulty; Full Bands / Full Torch coins are markedly scarcer and command premiums.

Proof grading

Proofs are graded for mirror fields and frost; Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo apply. The Full Bands (PCGS) / Full Torch (NGC) strike designation does NOT apply to proofs.

Key dates

Semi-key dates

Major varieties

Common problems

Signs of cleaning or damage

Toning

Silver issues (1946–1964) can develop vivid rainbow toning that sharply raises value at gem grade; clad issues tone less attractively and can go dull or greenish.

Counterfeit & alteration risks

  • Altered/added mintmarks (S/W) and faked No-S proof and 1996-W rarities (generally lower risk than 1932 quarters)

For the advanced grader

The torch bands sit at the highest relief and deepest die cavity, so weak strikes are common and must be told apart from circulation wear. PCGS Full Bands requires full separation of both horizontal band pairs (MS60+, no disturbing marks); NGC Full Torch additionally requires defined vertical torch lines and excludes proofs. Fully struck FB/FT coins are much scarcer than flat-band examples, and vivid original toning on silver issues can multiply value.

Photographic examples

Click any image to enlarge and zoom. Where shown, obverse, reverse, and edge views are of the same coin and year.

Same coin: 1996-S Roosevelt dime

Obverse 1996-S Roosevelt dime (obverse). Example only, not professionally graded. (click to enlarge)
Reverse 1996-S Roosevelt dime (reverse). Example only, not professionally graded. (click to enlarge)

Sources: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) · Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) · Coin World

Evidence pages

Related terms

Weak Strike · Wear · Luster · Cameo (CAM / CA) · Deep Cameo / Ultra Cameo (DCAM / UC) · Toning