The 1947-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from about $2 in heavily worn condition to over $50 or more in mint state, with exceptional examples grading MS67 or higher sometimes fetching hundreds of dollars at auction. If you just found one of these silver dimes in an old coin jar or inherited collection, you’re holding something genuinely worth a closer look.
What Makes the 1947-S Roosevelt Dime Special
The 1947-S Roosevelt Dime was struck at the San Francisco Mint, identifiable by the small “S” mintmark located on the reverse of the coin, just to the left of the torch at the bottom. This was only the second year the Roosevelt Dime series was produced, following its debut in 1946 as a tribute to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who passed away in April 1945.
The San Francisco Mint produced 34,840,000 of these dimes in 1947, making it a relatively common date in circulated grades. However, that doesn’t mean they’re worthless — far from it. The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it real melt value regardless of collector grade. Even in heavily worn “Good” condition, the silver content alone is worth something. As you move up in condition, collector premiums kick in quickly, especially for coins grading MS65 Full Bands or better, which are notoriously tough to find for this issue.
If you want a quick and reliable way to figure out what you’re holding, using the best coin identifier app can help you identify the coin’s date, mintmark, and even give you a ballpark value in seconds. Technology has made it easier than ever for everyday people to learn about their coins without needing to visit a dealer first.
1947-S Roosevelt Dime Value by Grade
The condition — or grade — of your coin is the single biggest factor in determining its value. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what the 1947-S Roosevelt Dime typically sells for across different grades:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, main details visible | $2 – $3 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, lettering clear | $3 – $4 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $4 – $6 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Slight wear, most luster present | $6 – $10 |
| MS-63 | Uncirculated, minor marks | $12 – $20 |
| MS-65 | Gem uncirculated, strong luster | $30 – $55 |
| MS-67+ Full Bands | Near perfect, sharp band detail | $200+ |
For the most current and detailed pricing across all grades, you can check the 1947-S Roosevelt Dime price data in mint state grades to see how the market is trending right now.
The Silver Value Factor
Even if your 1947-S dime is worn smooth, it’s not without value. Every Roosevelt dime made before 1965 contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. With silver trading around $28–$30 per ounce at recent prices, the melt value alone puts these dimes at roughly $2.00 to $2.20 each. That’s essentially your floor — the coin is never worth less than its silver weight.
This is an important concept that many finders overlook. Even a jar full of old “junk silver” dimes has real monetary worth. The 1947-S falls squarely into this category for worn examples, but any coin with noticeable original detail or luster starts climbing above melt value fast. It’s always worth taking a careful look before assuming an old dime is just pocket change.
You can track updated 1947-S Roosevelt Dime value information and compare grades easily with CoinHix, a popular tool among collectors that gives you real auction results and market prices at your fingertips.
How to Assess Your 1947-S Roosevelt Dime
Grading coins takes some practice, but here are the basics for evaluating your 1947-S dime:
Look at Roosevelt’s cheek and jaw — these are the highest points on the obverse and the first places to show wear. On the reverse, examine the torch bands in the center. Full Bands (FB) designation means those horizontal bands separating the torch’s upper and lower sections are fully defined and unbroken. Coins with Full Bands are significantly more valuable, especially in higher grades.
Check for any cleaning. Coins that have been polished or dipped show unnatural brightness or hairlines under a loupe. Cleaned coins are worth considerably less than naturally toned or lustrous examples.
For a fast identification and value estimate, CoinHix lets you scan or look up your coin by date and mintmark to get instant market comparisons — a huge help if you’re new to coin collecting and just trying to figure out where to start.
For a comprehensive look at the full value breakdown of the 1947 Roosevelt Dime across all mint marks, including the Philadelphia and Denver issues, that resource gives excellent side-by-side comparisons for the entire 1947 dime series.
Should You Sell or Keep Your 1947-S Roosevelt Dime
If your coin is heavily worn, it might be best suited for a silver buyer or a bulk lot sale. If it shows strong detail or original mint luster, you may want to consider having it professionally graded by PCGS or NGC. A certified high-grade example is much easier to sell for top dollar and gives buyers confidence in the coin’s authenticity and condition.
Collectors actively seek out attractive 1947-S Roosevelt Dimes in gem condition, and the Full Bands varieties in MS66 and above are genuinely scarce. If you believe you have something special, don’t sell it cheap without doing your homework first. A little research — and the right tools like CoinHix — can make a real difference in what you walk away with.
FAQ
Q: How do I know if my 1947 dime is from San Francisco?
A: Look on the reverse side of the coin at the bottom, just left of the torch base. If you see a small “S” mintmark, it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. No mintmark means it’s from Philadelphia; a “D” means Denver.
Q: Is a 1947-S Roosevelt Dime rare?
A: Not in circulated grades — nearly 35 million were minted, so worn examples are fairly common. However, gem uncirculated examples with Full Bands designation are genuinely scarce and highly sought after by collectors, making them worth significantly more than face value.
Q: Where is the best place to sell a 1947-S Roosevelt Dime?
A: Options include eBay for reaching a wide collector audience, local coin dealers for quick sales, and coin shows for face-to-face transactions. If the coin grades MS65 or better, consider getting it certified first, as slabbed coins typically bring higher prices from serious buyers.
