So I've been shopping around for a couple high quality silver dimes. I already own quite a few Mercury's and thought about picking up some nice Roosevelt's. I'm wondering though, are there any definitive Key-dates to this series?? Or which dates/mintages from 1946-1964 are the rarest? I'd like to pick up one of them if I find a real beauty and if the price is right.
I agree with the 1949-S choice. I've always considered the 1955 P, D, and S to be keys to this series. You can check mintages at coinfacts.com: http://www.coinfacts.com/dimes/roosevelt_dimes.html
I put together a set of 1946-64 Roosevelt business strike dimes in MS-66, all slabbed. I wanted a matched set. "Blast" white (I don't care for rainbow or heavily toned coins.) Only thing I'm doing is swapping a few that weren't NGC or PCGS. I added the proofs, also slabbed, but any grade (MS-64 to MS-68). Last one to finish the set was the key 1950 proof. The set appraised for less than $1000, so spread over 3-4 years, it's not an expensive set. You can try for Full Torch coins (also sometimes called Full Bands). Definitely would cost more and I don't know how easy they are to get. It's a relatively new designation and not that widely touted. Might be able to cherrypick a lot of FT's that were slabbed prior to that designation OR raw ones that are FT's but the seller doesn't know it. A full set of FT's would REALLY be something to own.
AH! So that's what 'FT' stood for! Geeze man, while I was looking around I noticed PCGS' said FB, but NGC said FT and I sat there wondering what it possibly could've stood for. Thanks And thanks everyone else for clarifying. I had a feel the 1949 year/mints were the key.
but low mintage doesn't always equate to the key. Take for example the Barber Quarter series. The 1901-S is the key of all 20th century key dates and commands 4 figures in even the lowest of grades. It's mintage is a mere 72,664, but massive in comparison to the 1913-S with a mintage of 40,000. The 01-S remains the premium of the two dates, and sells for roughly 3 to 4 times as much. In the Roosevelt Dime series, the 1955, 1955-D, and 1955-S are the lowest mintages, but the 1949-S commands the highest prices and is therefore considered the key.
Good choice on the Roosevelts. It's really an overlooked coin set. I have three sets of the silver issues, and it was embarrasingly easy to assemble. Nobody wants them it seems. I think this set will take off in the nest 10-15 years. Grab them while you can! Guy~
That's exactly what I was thinking! They're so overlooked it's sick, and if/when they take I think people will be kicking themselves for not jumping on them sooner.
I don't really see them going anywhere until the design changes. Then collectors suddenly realize they have neglected the series. Of course I'm talking the silver issues. Original rolls are probably still quite easy to get. For those of you still in your 20's or 30's and are willing to wait until retirement, this could be good. Heck, maybe I can still get a piece of it.
That's me 20 years old and I'm glad I started young. I know there's others who've been collecting since they were 10-12ish, but I'm in the prime of my life. I like to imagine what coins I'll have and how my collection will look years from now.
My set is nearly done, in MS I mean. I had put together most of a set from rolls of silver I received, but then bought a few MS pieces, which led to a few more, and so on and so forth.
Either way, all of these issues are still very affordable. Both are available in MS67 for under $100. Here are mine, but I paid more than $100 for the MS66* 1955-S. This is one of the most affordable silver sets to finish as long as you don't attempt to assemble a high grade set with the ridiculous FB/FT designation.
Haha, Lehigh somehow I just knew you had a toned NGC * Roosevelt. That's a real beauty. I'm thinking I might put together a set of 1946-1964. Seems like an easier set of silver dimes to put together than say.. Merc's. And with MS66-MS67 grades being $100 or so it wouldn't put a dent in my wallet.
The MS66's are all available under $25. Most of the MS67's are in the $50 range. I have quite a few NGC Star Roosevelts. One of my favorites is not a star because it is in an old fatty holder. What do you think. I love cobalt blue. Happy Hunting!
Oh Steve, why would you punish yourself by betting a poker player. I will bet I know what you are going to say after you see this coin. Now, I bet you are going to say. I meant one green dime, one orange dime, and one purple dime, not one with all three colors. As we say at the poker table when we win a hand, ship it.
HAHA, okay that's it, I fold! I did actually mean one with all 3 colors, but I'm just going to assume you have one for each color right?
Good Fold, I had it. I actually think this coin is a better example of the green-orange-purple. It is the reverse of a 1950-D NGC MS65 FT. Enjoy!