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Roosevelt Dimes unsung
Roosevelt dimes unsung
7/13/2009
By Al Doyle
COIN VALUES Market Analyst
If a U.S. coin series had to be picked as the biggest laggard in the market, Roosevelt dimes would rank among the top candidates.
First struck in 1946, the design comes across as bland when compared to the much more artistic Winged Liberty Head dime of 1916 to 1945. Add in the coin's small size and secondary status as pocket change in the 21st century, and the climate created does nothing to attract collectors.
Few dealers make much of an effort to keep a large selection of dates in stock. If recent mail-order price lists are an indication, even Brilliant Uncirculated examples from as far back as 1954 can be found for what amounts to melt value plus a service fee.
The same apathy hung thick over Washington quarter dollars in 1998 and Jefferson 5-cent coins in 2004. New designs for those two denominations did more to inspire beginning and veteran hobbyists alike to take a serious interest in those once-neglected series than any advertising campaign could have generated.
To say that a new dime design is overdue – even on a short-term basis – is a huge understatement. Plenty of potential themes exist, but the challenge would be in placing a memorable portrait within the confines of a 10-cent piece.
A few specialists seek out well-struck dimes designated as "full torch" by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp. and "full bands" by the Professional Coin Grading Service. Full torch/bands Roosevelt dimes must display completely struck horizontal bands without any weakness or contact marks.
Prices vary widely depending on the strike characteristics of various dates, and there are large spreads between PCGS and NGC-graded coins. A 1947 PCGS Mint State 67 full bands dime that recently sold at auction for $280 plus the buyer's fee is a high-end sale by Roosevelt dime standards.
While this is a very small market now, any future surge of popularity in the Roosevelt series could mean quick, substantial growth in the number of collectors seeking the ultimate in quality. Original Brilliant Uncirculated rolls and Uncirculated Mint sets may hold some undiscovered gems for those who enjoy cherrypicking raw coins.