1946-S Roosevelt Dime Value Guide How Much Is Your San Francisco Coin Worth
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The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $2 in heavily worn condition to over $50 or more in uncirculated mint state grades, with rare high-grade examples occasionally fetching much higher prices at auction. If you found one of these coins in a jar, drawer, or old collection, you’re in the right place to find out what it’s really worth.
What Makes the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime Special
The 1946-S Roosevelt Dime holds a meaningful place in American coin history. It was struck at the San Francisco Mint in the very first year the Roosevelt Dime series was produced, making it a first-year issue — a quality that collectors have always valued.
The coin was created to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had passed away in April 1945. The dime design, created by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, features Roosevelt’s portrait on the obverse and a torch flanked by olive and oak branches on the reverse.
The “S” mintmark, found on the reverse just to the left of the torch’s base, identifies this coin as a product of the San Francisco Mint. In 1946, the San Francisco facility struck 27,900,000 of these dimes — a healthy mintage, but still lower than the Philadelphia issue, which can affect value among collectors.
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If you’re not sure which mint your coin came from or want a quick identification, a coin identifier and value app can help you scan and identify it in seconds using just your smartphone camera.
1946-S Roosevelt Dime Value by Grade
Coin value depends heavily on condition — or “grade” in collector terminology. A worn coin that’s been circulating in pockets and cash registers for decades is worth much less than one that was saved right away and kept in excellent shape.
Here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect for the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime across different grades:
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| Grade | Condition Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, design visible but flat | $2 – $3 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, main details clear | $2.50 – $4 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $4 – $8 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight wear, most luster intact | $8 – $15 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor contact marks | $15 – $30 |
| Mint State (MS-66+) | Gem uncirculated, sharp strike | $50 – $200+ |
For the most current pricing, you can check live 1946-S Roosevelt Dime price data in mint state grades to see where the market stands today.
Silver Content and Melt Value
One thing many people don’t realize is that all Roosevelt Dimes made before 1965 — including the 1946-S — are composed of 90% silver. Each coin contains approximately 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver.
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This means even a heavily worn 1946-S Roosevelt Dime has real intrinsic value beyond its face value of ten cents.
When silver prices are around $25 per troy ounce, the melt value of this coin is roughly $1.80. When silver trades higher — say, $30 or above — that base value climbs accordingly. So even if your coin is too worn to interest collectors, it’s still worth more than a dime to a precious metals buyer.
This silver base means the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime is essentially never worth less than its silver melt value, giving you a solid floor no matter what condition your coin is in.
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Full Bands Designation and Premium Value
Among serious collectors, one of the most sought-after features of Roosevelt Dimes is the “Full Bands” or “FB” designation. This refers to the horizontal bands in the center of the torch on the reverse of the coin.
On a well-struck coin, those bands are fully separated and sharply defined. On weaker strikes, they appear blended or incomplete. A 1946-S Roosevelt Dime that earns an FB designation from a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC can sell for significantly more than a standard coin of the same grade.
For example, an MS-65 1946-S without Full Bands might sell for around $20 to $30, while an MS-65 FB example could command $80 to $150 or more.
If you’re curious about the detailed value breakdown for your specific coin, this comprehensive 1946 Roosevelt Dime value reference covers pricing across grades and varieties in clear, easy-to-read detail.
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How to Check Your Coin’s Value at Home
You don’t need to be a professional numismatist to get a solid sense of what your 1946-S Roosevelt Dime is worth. Start by examining the coin under good lighting with a magnifying glass.
Look at the high points of the design — Roosevelt’s cheek, the top of his hair, and the torch on the reverse. If these areas are smooth and flat, the coin has seen significant circulation. If you can still see crisp detail and some original luster or shine, you may have an AU or even uncirculated example.
CoinKnow is a handy tool many collectors and casual finders use for exactly this kind of quick assessment. The app lets you scan your coin and get an instant grade estimate and value range, which is a great starting point before deciding whether to sell, hold, or have it professionally graded.
For coins you believe might be in the higher mint state grades — especially with Full Bands — professional grading through PCGS or NGC is absolutely worth considering, as authentication adds credibility and often increases buyer confidence at auction.
CoinKnow also keeps you updated on silver spot prices, so you always know the current melt value of your 90% silver coins without having to dig through financial sites.
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FAQ
Q: How do I know if my 1946 dime is from San Francisco?
A: Look at the reverse side of the coin near the base of the torch. If you see a small “S” mintmark, your coin was made at the San Francisco Mint. No mintmark means it came from Philadelphia, and a “D” means Denver.
Q: Is the 1946-S Roosevelt Dime rare?
A: It’s not considered rare by most standards, since nearly 28 million were minted. However, high-grade examples — especially those with Full Bands — are genuinely scarce and command strong collector premiums. Most circulated examples are common but are still worth more than face value due to their silver content.
Q: Should I clean my 1946-S Roosevelt Dime before selling it?
A: No — never clean a coin if you want to preserve or maximize its value. Cleaning removes original surfaces and luster, which dramatically lowers a coin’s grade and appeal to collectors. Even light polishing can reduce a coin’s value significantly. Leave it as-is and let a buyer or grading service assess it in its natural state. If you’re unsure, CoinKnow can help you understand what condition your coin is in before you make any decisions.
