Tag Archives: Roosevelt dime

Roosevelt Dime Varieties

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Look for: 1946 DDO FS-101/102, 1982 No Mintmark – Weak/Strong

The Roosevelt Dime series is usually well struck, and so there are few errors and varieties worth searching for. Conversely, you can assemble a set of these four.

The 1946 DDO FS-101/102

The doubling here can be seen with the naked eye or a loupe.

The FS-101 DDO has pronounced doubling north of the “B” and “E” in “Liberty” as well as the “6” in the date. PCGS has holdered 5 of these in mint state, and they sell for less than $300. No Full Bands has been holdered with this doubled die. (Note: To recognize FB, see this article.)

The FS-102 has doubled “B” and “E” in “Liberty,” too. The motto, “In God We Trust,” also is doubled well. PCGS has holdered 20 DDO regular strikes and 21 DDO/FB. Again, these sell for less than $300.

Here’s a current sale on eBay:

1982 No Mintmark – Weak/Strong

To identify the error, compare it to a regular 1982 dime.

The difference between the weak and strong versions concerns the strike, not the missing mintmark. The strong version has a clear strike, the weak, over polished and struck through in parts.

PCGS has holdered about 30 of the weak variety with prices typically below $300. Because of the weak strike, there are no full bands. PCGS has holdered about 25 of the strong variety, again selling for less than $300 in mint state. It has slabbed 2 full bands, strong, retailing for $600 in MS66.

You can find the weak and strong versions in mint sets and bank rolls an d even in pocket change.

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Coin designations raise value

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In addition to mintage, mint marks and condition, expert hobbyists not only know the various coin designations but also study each series to see which ones increase values–some by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Take a moment out of roll and error hunting and learn these.

Know the Designations and Abbreviations

Here are PCGS designations and abbreviations (other holdering companies may have different abbreviations):

CENT: RED (R), RED BROWN (RB), BROWN (B)

Colors describing the brilliance or patina on cents, not only Lincoln cents but the denomination. Values for “red” brilliant uncirculated cents command the highest retail prices.

JEFFERSON NICKEL: FULL STEPS (FS)

Showing a strong strike for coins grading MS60 or higher, with at least five unbroken steps visible on the reverse Monticello building.

MERCURY DIME: FULL BANDS (FB)

Showing the middle bands of the fasces are clearly separated with no breaks, scratches or marks in coins grading at least MS60.

ROOSEVELT DIME: FULL BANDS (FB)

Showing the lower and upper bands of the torch are clearly separated with no breaks, scratches or marks in coins grading at least MS60.

STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER: FULL HEAD (FH)

Showing three leaves on the head, ear hole must be present, and hairline distinct.

FRANKLIN HALF: FULL BELL LINES (FBL)

Showing the full, uninterrupted lines on the lower ones of the bell device for coins grading at least MS60.

CAMEO/DEEP CAMEO

A glossy or matte surface on devices, appearing frosty on both sides of the coin, distinguishing them from the fields. The degree of frostiness establishes the designation. If one side is deep cameo and another side, only cameo (depicted below), them the designation is cameo, as both sides must contain the requisite frostiness.

DEEP MIRROR PROOFLIKE (DMPL)/PROOFLIKE (PL)

Mirror-like reflectivity of 4-6 inches for DMPL and 2-4 inches for PL used in coins of all denomiations, not just Morgan dollars.

Research the Series for High Values

After you have learned the various designations, then go to the PCGS Coin Values site and identify which years and designations bring the highest premiums. Here are a few samples:

CENT (R, RB, B)

JEFFERSON NICKEL (FS)

MERCURY DIME (FB)

ROOSEVELT DIME (FB)

STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER (FH)

FRANKLIN HALF (FBL)

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Identifying Full Bands on Roosevelt Dimes

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The coin above, safe in my bank box, graded MS67FB, a high designation bringing a $50 premium due to strike, retailing at $130. (The lovely patina will bring hundreds more.) To earn the coveted full bands label, the coin must be a business strike, uncirculated with full separation minus any disruption (bagmark, cuts, scratch, etc.) on the upper and lower horizontal bands of the torch.

This equally lovely 1960-D Roosevelt did not earn the FB designation, coming in also at MS67. Do you see why it failed?

My 1960-D dime value is $55. A portion of the lower band shows a tiny break in the bands on the right. Otherwise it would be worth $375. Compare it now to the full bands designation of the 1958-D so that you can discern the subtle differences.

You want to seek full bands on all Roosevelt dimes. However, these may bring the highest premiums, according to PCGS: 1949-S, 1955-S, 1958, 1965, and 1994-D. To compare, an MS67 1949-D without full bands is worth $110 while with full bands is valued at $850.

The same premiums hold true for the full bands designation on Mercury dimes. You can read about that here.

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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.