The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $2 to $3 in heavily circulated condition to well over $50 or more in pristine mint state grades — and certain high-grade examples have sold for hundreds of dollars at auction. If you found one of these little silver coins tucked away in an old jar or inherited coin collection, you may be sitting on more than pocket change.
What Makes the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime Special
The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime holds a unique place in American numismatic history. It was part of the very first year the Roosevelt dime was minted — introduced to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had passed away just a year earlier in 1945. The “S” mintmark tells you this particular coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint, one of three facilities that produced Roosevelt dimes in 1946 alongside Philadelphia and Denver.
The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it an intrinsic metal value that changes with the silver spot price. Even a worn example that grades Fine or Very Fine still contains about 0.0724 troy ounces of silver, which alone is worth roughly $1.50 to $2.00 at current market prices. That base value means these coins never become completely worthless, regardless of condition.
If you want a fast, reliable way to identify and value your coin, using the best coin identifier app on your phone can save you a lot of guesswork. Simply snap a photo and get instant results.
The San Francisco Mint had a reputation for producing well-struck coins in the postwar era, and many 1946-S dimes show sharp detail on Roosevelt’s portrait and the torch design on the reverse. That quality makes high-grade examples especially desirable to collectors today.
1946-S Roosevelt Dime Value by Grade
Condition is everything when it comes to coin values. A coin’s grade reflects how much wear it has experienced since leaving the mint. Here’s a breakdown of typical market values for the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime across common grades:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, outline visible | $2 – $3 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, major details clear | $3 – $5 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $6 – $12 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight wear, much original luster | $15 – $25 |
| MS-63 | Mint state, minor blemishes | $30 – $55 |
| MS-65 and above | Gem quality, nearly perfect | $60 – $300+ |
For the most current auction results and certified coin pricing, you can explore detailed 1946-S Roosevelt Dime price data in mint state grades to see exactly what collectors are paying right now. Prices shift with market trends and silver values, so staying updated matters.
How to Identify Your 1946-S Roosevelt Dime
Finding the mintmark is step one. On the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime, look at the reverse (back) side of the coin near the bottom, just to the left of the torch base. You should see a small “S” — that’s your San Francisco identifier. No letter means Philadelphia; a “D” means Denver.
Next, look at the overall condition. Is the coin shiny with visible luster, or does it look dull and flat from years of circulation? Roosevelt’s hair detail above the ear and the torch’s flame lines on the reverse are the first places to show wear. If those areas still show sharp, distinct lines, your coin is likely in a higher grade range.
Also check for any damage — cleaning, scratches, or holes significantly reduce collector value, even if the coin looks bright and shiny. A cleaned coin typically trades at a fraction of its natural value.
The CoinHix app is a great tool for getting a quick initial estimate right from your phone. It pulls real market data to help you understand what similar coins have sold for recently.
What Affects the 1946-S Dime Value Beyond Grade
Beyond condition, a few other factors play into what a collector will actually pay. The Full Bands (FB) designation is one of the most important for Roosevelt dimes. This refers to the horizontal bands on the torch on the reverse — when both sets of bands are fully separated and sharp, the coin earns the FB label, which can dramatically boost value. A 1946-S MS-65 FB can command two to three times more than a standard MS-65.
Silver melt value provides a price floor. Even if your coin is too worn for collector interest, it still has silver content worth tracking. As silver prices rise, so does the baseline value of every pre-1965 dime.
Certification by PCGS or NGC also adds a premium. A coin graded and slabbed by a major grading service trades more confidently and often at higher prices than raw examples.
If you want a thorough breakdown of what your specific coin might be worth, this complete 1946 Roosevelt Dime value resource covers all three mint varieties with detailed condition-by-condition pricing.
You can also use CoinHix to cross-reference recent sales data before you decide whether to sell, hold, or grade your coin professionally.
Is the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime Worth Getting Graded?
If your coin looks truly untouched — original luster intact, no obvious scratches or spots — it may well be worth the $30 to $50 fee to have it professionally graded. A coin that comes back MS-65 or higher, especially with a Full Bands designation, could return many times that investment.
For coins in circulated condition, professional grading typically isn’t cost-effective unless you suspect it’s a very high-grade About Uncirculated example or has a known variety that boosts its value.
When in doubt, use CoinHix to compare your coin visually against graded examples and get a ballpark estimate before spending money on certification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much silver is in a 1946-S Roosevelt Dime?
A: The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime contains 90% silver, with a total silver weight of approximately 0.0724 troy ounces. At current silver prices, the melt value alone typically ranges from $1.50 to $2.50, giving every circulated example a reliable floor value regardless of collector grade.
Q: What does the “S” mintmark mean on a 1946 Roosevelt Dime?
A: The “S” mintmark on a 1946 Roosevelt Dime indicates it was produced at the San Francisco Mint in California. In 1946, dimes were also struck in Philadelphia (no mintmark) and Denver (“D” mintmark). San Francisco examples are generally well-struck and popular with collectors.
Q: Where is the best place to sell a 1946-S Roosevelt Dime?
A: Common options include eBay, coin shows, local coin dealers, and online auction platforms that specialize in numismatics. For the best price on higher-grade examples, consider getting a professional grade first. Researching recent sales through tools like CoinHix before listing your coin can help you set a fair and competitive asking price.
