Roosevelt Silver Dime · 90% Silver
A 1962-D Roosevelt dime graded MS68 Full Bands sold for $2,880 at Heritage Auctions in 2023 — and PCGS values the top example at $8,000. Every 1962 dime contains 90% silver worth around $3.50 at melt. The difference between those two numbers is all about strike quality. This guide and free calculator will show you exactly where your coin lands.
Check My 1962 Dime Value →Quick Reference
The table below covers all five major 1962 Roosevelt dime varieties across four condition tiers. For a complete step-by-step illustrated 1962 dime identification walkthrough covering every grade nuance, visit the linked resource. Note that "Full Bands" (FB) is the single biggest value driver — a designation earned only by coins with perfectly struck, fully separated torch bands on the reverse.
| Variety | Worn (G–VF) | Circulated (EF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS63–65) | Gem (MS66–67+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962-P (No Mint Mark) | $3.50 – $4.50 | $4.50 – $8 | $7 – $18 | $20 – $70 |
| 1962-D (Denver) | $3.50 – $4.50 | $4.50 – $8 | $7 – $18 | $20 – $50 |
| 1962-P Full Bands (FB) ★ KEY | — | — | $14 – $25 | $35 – $2,233+ |
| 1962-D Full Bands (FB) RAREST | — | — | $14 – $30 | $45 – $2,880+ |
| 1962 Proof (PR/CAM/DCAM) | — | — | $6 – $10 | $12 – $546 |
Values based on PCGS/NGC price guides and recent Heritage Auctions sales. Silver melt floor ~$3.50 at current spot prices. FB = Full Bands designation.
📱 CoinHix lets you snap a photo of your 1962 dime and get an instant value estimate on the go — a coin identifier and value app.
Jump to a Section
Variety & Error Deep Dive
Despite a combined mintage exceeding 410 million coins, several 1962 Roosevelt dime varieties and mint errors attract serious collector premiums. The errors below range from the highly documented Repunched Mintmark varieties to dramatic mechanical errors like off-center strikes. Each variety card below covers what to look for, what it's worth, and what makes it special in the numismatic marketplace. Use a 10× loupe for best results when inspecting your coin.
The FS-501 is the crown jewel of 1962-D die varieties. It occurred when a mint employee first struck the working die with the "D" punch in a horizontal (rotated 90°) orientation, then punched again in the correct upright position. The resulting die bore both impressions permanently.
Under a 10× loupe, look at the left side of the primary "D" — you should see the curved ghost of a sideways "D" punched beneath it. The impression is unmistakable once you know what to look for: a distinct curved serif or remnant arc protruding to the left or below the main mint mark.
Collectors prize the FS-501 because it represents a dramatic, visually obvious variety attributable by even a moderately experienced hobbyist. An MS-66 Full Torch example of this variety has sold for approximately $1,950 — demonstrating the powerful "value stack" effect when variety, grade, and strike designation combine.
The 1962-D Full Bands designation is the single greatest conditional rarity in the entire silver Roosevelt dime series. Despite a mintage of 334.9 million coins, Denver Mint dies were heavily worn by the time most strikes were produced, yielding mushy, flat torch details on the vast majority of surviving coins.
To earn the PCGS Full Bands designation, both the upper and lower pairs of horizontal bands crossing the torch must show complete, unbroken separation — the dividing lines must be crisp and fully distinct. NGC uses the equivalent term Full Torch (FT). On the typical 1962-D, these bands are fused or indistinct; finding a coin where they are perfectly struck requires examining hundreds of examples.
The auction record stands at $2,880 for the 1962-D MS68FB sold by Heritage Auctions in July 2023, confirmed by PCGS CoinFacts. PCGS values this top-pop condition at $8,000. Even a modest MS65FB example can bring $25–$30, while an MS67FB commands $175 or more — a 4× premium over the same grade without Full Bands.
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is not properly centered within the coining collar at the moment of striking. The result is a coin where the design is displaced to one side, leaving a distinctive crescent of blank, unstruck planchet on the opposite side. The degree of misalignment — measured as a percentage — directly determines collector value.
Minor off-center strikes of 10–20% where the full date and mint mark remain legible typically bring $20–$40 in circulated condition. More dramatic examples struck 50–75% off-center command $150–$250 or more, provided the date (and ideally the mint mark) is still visible for attribution. An authenticated 1962 dime struck 75% off-center in MS-64 condition realized approximately $152.75 at auction according to documented sale records.
The key rule for off-center value is date visibility: without a readable date, the coin cannot be definitively attributed to 1962, which substantially reduces its numismatic premium. Coins with the date near the edge of the surviving design bring the strongest prices. Strike quality and overall surface preservation also factor into the grade the coin receives.
The clipped planchet is the most frequently encountered mint error on 1962 Roosevelt dimes. It occurs during the blanking process: when the metal strip feeding into the cutting press shifts position, the blanking punch partially overlaps a previously punched hole, producing a planchet with a curved or straight section missing from the edge.
Most clips on 1962 dimes are curved (crescent-shaped), matching the arc of the previous punch. The missing section creates an immediately recognizable "bite" taken from the coin's perimeter. The Blakesley Effect — a flat or weak area on the design diametrically opposite the clip — is a useful diagnostic to confirm a genuine clip versus post-mint damage. Look for weak or missing design details opposite the clipped area.
Minor clips adding 10–20% to the coin's edge value typically add $10–$15 over melt. Larger, more dramatic clips of 25% or more can command $30–$60+ depending on visual impact, the presence of the Blakesley Effect, and overall surface quality. The error is found on both Philadelphia and Denver issues given the combined 410-million-coin production volume.
Die cracks develop when the steel coining dies used at the mint become fatigued from the enormous pressure of repeated strikes — typically hundreds of thousands of impacts. As microscopic fractures spread through the die's surface, metal from the planchet flows into these crevices during striking, creating raised lines on the finished coin's surface. These raised metal ridges are the defining characteristic of a die crack, distinguishing them from scratches (which are incuse, or sunken into the coin).
Both 1962-P and 1962-D dimes exhibit die crack varieties, with some showing prominent cracks across Roosevelt's portrait, through the LIBERTY inscription, or across the reverse design. The most desirable examples feature cracks that cross multiple major design elements or run in dramatic arcs from the rim through the field into the portrait. A coin showing a "die break" — where a crack fully separated a segment of the die — creates raised blobs of metal called "cuds" when near the rim, which are the most valuable die crack subtype.
Mild die cracks that are barely visible add modest premiums of $5–$10 over silver melt. Dramatic cracks crossing major design elements on both Philadelphia and Denver issues attract $20–$75+. A cud break (retained die break near the rim creating a raised blob) can command $50–$150 or more depending on size and prominence. Die state progression — early die state (light crack) versus late die state (advanced crack) — also matters to specialists who collect die varieties by their progression.
Put a number to it — the calculator takes under 60 seconds and covers all varieties above.
Production Numbers
| Variety | Mint | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 (No Mint Mark) | Philadelphia | 72,450,000 | ~17% of total business-strike production; generally better strike quality than Denver |
| 1962-D | Denver | 334,948,380 | ~83% of total; heavy die wear made Full Bands coins exceptionally rare despite large mintage |
| 1962 Proof | Philadelphia | 3,218,019 | Mirror-finish collector coins; never circulated; sold in proof sets; CAM/DCAM sub-varieties exist |
| Total | 410,616,399 | Combined production across all 1962 issues |
Condition Guide
Roosevelt's cheekbone and hair above the ear are flat and featureless. The torch flame and bands on the reverse are fused together with no detail. Reeding on the edge may be worn smooth in spots. Value is driven entirely by the silver melt floor (~$3.50). No numismatic premium over spot.
Moderate to slight wear remains on the high points: Roosevelt's cheek, the top of his ear, and the upper torch flame. About Uncirculated (AU) examples show only trace friction with most mint luster intact in protected areas. Circulated 1962 dimes still trade near melt at $4–$8 regardless of specific EF or AU grade.
No wear from circulation. Surface quality — luster, contact marks, and strike — determines where in the MS60–65 range the coin falls. MS60–62 may show dulled luster and bag marks from bulk handling. MS65 "gem" specimens have blazing original luster, minimal marks visible only under magnification, and stronger (though not necessarily Full Bands) torch detail. Values: $7–$18.
Exceptional surface preservation with virtually no contact marks visible to the naked eye. Outstanding original luster. At MS67 and MS68, coins approach perfection. The coveted Full Bands (FB) designation — confirming sharp, fully separated torch bands — is achievable at any MS grade but commands exponential premiums: an MS67FB 1962-D can bring $175+, while MS68FB examples have sold for thousands.
🔎 CoinHix helps you cross-check your grade by comparing your coin's surface details to graded examples in its database — a coin identifier and value app.
Full Bands Self-Checker
The Full Bands (FB) designation is the difference between a $7 coin and a $2,880 trophy. Use this quick checklist to see if yours might qualify — then consider professional grading if the result is promising.
Left: typical 1962 dime with fused/weak torch bands. Right: Full Bands (FB) quality with crisp, separated band lines.
The horizontal bands on the torch look flat, merged, or indistinct under magnification. The central dividing line between the upper and lower band pairs is missing or interrupted. This describes the vast majority of 1962-D business strikes and a significant share of Philadelphia issues. Value: silver melt (~$3.50) to ~$70 depending on grade.
Both the upper and lower pairs of horizontal bands on the torch show complete, unbroken separation. The dividing lines between the band elements are crisp, clean, and uninterrupted by contact marks or weak striking. This is legitimately rare on 1962-D coins. Value: $14 at MS63FB to $2,880+ at MS68FB.
The Full Bands checker tells you what you have — the calculator tells you what it's worth in dollars.
Free Tool
Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any errors or special designations — then hit Calculate for an instant estimate.
If you're not yet sure about your coin's mint mark, condition, or errors, there's a free 1962 Dime Coin Value Checker online tool that lets you upload a photo and get an AI-assisted identification — no coin knowledge required to get started.
Detailed Assessment
Not sure how to use the calculator? Describe what you see in plain language and our tool will analyze your description.
Selling Guide
The best venue depends on your coin's grade and whether it carries the Full Bands designation or an error variety. High-grade and FB coins belong at auction; silver-melt coins sell anywhere.
The top choice for any 1962 dime graded MS65+ or carrying the Full Bands designation. Heritage's numismatic auctions attract serious collectors who pay full market value. The $2,880 MS68FB record was set here in 2023. Submit through their consignment process. Best for coins worth $100+; their buyer's premium is offset by competitive hammer prices. Consider grading with PCGS or NGC first for maximum realized price.
Excellent for circulated silver examples, mid-grade uncirculated coins, and error varieties. Check recently sold prices for 1962-D Roosevelt dimes using eBay's completed listings filter to benchmark your price before listing. Use "Buy It Now" for coins under $30 and auction format for rarer pieces to let the market set the price. High-quality photos — obverse, reverse, and edge — are essential for silver coins.
Ideal for circulated silver melt coins where you want immediate cash. Dealers typically pay 60–80% of retail for common circulated examples (expect $2.50–$3.50 per coin). For higher-grade or Full Bands examples, get multiple dealer quotes — these are specialty coins that not every shop will recognize at full value. Bring your PCGS/NGC slab if graded, as certified coins are quicker to price and sell.
The r/Coins4Sale and r/Coins subreddits offer a direct peer-to-peer marketplace popular with knowledgeable hobbyists. Good for mid-range coins ($10–$100) where you want to avoid auction fees. Community members are experienced — post sharp, well-lit photos and list honest grades. Transactions are cash-equivalent (PayPal or Venmo); always ship with tracking and insurance for anything over $20.
If your 1962 dime shows Full Bands characteristics or a documented error variety, submitting to PCGS or NGC for professional grading typically adds 20–50% to realized value. The grading fee ($30–$65 per coin) is quickly recouped on any FB-quality coin at MS65 or better. A certified slab also eliminates buyer skepticism and enables sale on major platforms at full market value. For circulated silver coins, grading is not cost-effective — just sell at melt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The free calculator covers all varieties — from silver melt to Full Bands gem — in under a minute.
Get My Free Estimate →