Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 10/14/2024: Gold $2659 | Silver $31.32


1948 Dime Value

Following a few steps comparing to images finds 1948 dime value. Silver is the first premium to these silver Roosevelt dimes. Each in 90% silver and a minimum of $2.09 in all degrees of condition.

Collectors place added value to mint varieties and coins in high state of preservation. Have a close look at your coin and discover how much it is worth.

1948 Roosevelt Dime - Obverse and Reverse

Steps Leading to Value:

  • Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety - Roosevelt dimes are collected and valued by date and mint variety. It is necessary to identify the variety of your coin.
  • Step 2: Grading Condition - A second consideration is condition of the coin, premiums are placed on top grade examples. Images help confirm its grade.
  • Step 3: Special Qualities - High grade dimes are the first choice both in demand and values. Explore options to storing your coins and preserving their collector qualities.
1948 Dime Value
 Condition of Coin
DateGoodFineExtremely
Fine
Mint
State
  Roosevelt Dime Values Updated 10/14/2024
1948 $2.09 $2.09 $2.09 $4.33
1948 D $2.09 $2.09 $2.09 $6.57
1948 S $2.09 $2.09 $2.09 $4.33

Minted during the silver years of the Roosevelt dimes, a 1948 example is sought by many levels of collector. New and young collectors are in search of examples in nice, affordable circulated condition. A silver dime from the 1940's is an attractive collectible. Seasoned collectors seek the top of the scale preserved pieces. All follow a few steps to identify and judge these coins. Begin with the mint variety.

Step 1: | Date and Mintmark Variety Identified

Varieties of 1948 Dimes to Recognize

Placing demand on these silver dimes are collectors forming date and mintmark sets. To complete the collection each is needed and identified by date first and then importantly mint variety.

Three mints are part of 1948 dime production, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Each mint struck different quantities that determine numbers available today. Notable is the total dimes for the year is the fourth lowest of the silver Roosevelt era. An important coin to confirm.

1948-S Roosevelt Dime

"S" Mintmark on Reverse: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

1948-S Roosevelt Dime

For the San Francisco mint an ample number of dimes were produced; 35.5 million. San Francisco coinage is a favorite with many collectors. A lightly worn or better dime is affordable to collectors just beginning to enter the hobby.

San Francisco mint dimes are determined by the "S" mintmark found on the reverse. The small mark is towards the bottom of the torch handle on the left. An "S" is the San Francisco dime variety.

1948-D Roosevelt Dime

"D" Mintmark on Reverse: Denver Mint Struck the Coin

1948-D Roosevelt Dime

In comparison to the entire silver Roosevelt era, Denver struck only a moderate total of just under 53 million dimes in 1948. Although abundant in numbers today, most show signs of heavy wear. Those saved from circulation early with light to no wear are in demand.

Identify the Denver coin by the "D" mintmark found on the reverse. Look closely at the base of the torch, on the left a small "D" mark is confirming the Denver mint dime.

1948 Roosevelt Dime

No Mintmark on Reverse: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

1948 Roosevelt Dime

In the third year of Roosevelt dime production Philadelphia struck 74,950,000 pieces. Also, a third year of declining mintages. The likely found 1948 dime is from the Philadelphia mint, heavily worn, valued at base silver value. Judging condition is the important element to higher value.

Philadelphia during the silver Roosevelt era did not place a mintmark on dimes. On the reverse, and the base of the torch, an empty area on the left side identifies the Philadelphia variety.

Step 2: | Condition is Judged and Grade Determined

Grading Confirms 1948 Dime Value

Collectible dimes in demand by collectors, worth a premium above silver content are recognized by judging condition. How well the surfaces of the coin are preserved is the deciding point.

A scale of grades defines the condition of a coin's surfaces. Staring with the highest - Mint state - no wear and preceding to a heavily worn coin. A comparison of your coin to examples of the different grades is used to help judge condition. These grades are used on value charts to narrow range of potential worth.

Mint State Grade

1948 Roosevelt Dime Mint State Grade

Mint State: It is expected no wear is visible on a coin in Mint State grade. This grade is reserved for coins displaying the fine texture of luster over the entire surface. High areas of design are closely inspected to confirm the grade.

One noticeable feature of Roosevelt's portrait is fine lines within the hair. Lines are formed by deep recesses with high areas remaining. The hair near the temple is one of the areas to show any smoothing caused by wear. Color and texture of the hair remains lustrous both near the temple and rest of his head. Dulling and smoothing of the hair is absent on the example indicating a mint state grade.

Extremely Fine Grade

Roosevelt Dime Extremely Fine Grade

Extremely Fine: A strong indicator of wear is the soft grey color of the example, lacking any luster shine on high points. Very light wear defines the Extremely Fine grade.

Looking closely at the hair near Roosevelt's temple, a small flat area is beginning. Wear is light in the area and a few lines remain indicating hair. Further up on the head, small lines representing hair strands are visible giving the coin a detailed appearance. All major and high contours remain; cheek below the eye is defined and the jaw area remains raised with just slight flattening.

A nicely detailed coin with just slight wear is an appealing addition to a circulated set of silver Roosevelt dimes.

Low Grade Examples

Silver Roosevelt Dimes in Low Grade Condition

Low Grade Condition: Moderate to heavy wear is a condition many Roosevelt dimes exhibit. These low-grade examples are considered below collectible condition and trade in bulk at their silver value.

A standout feature of a low-grade dime is the lack of detail within Roosevelt's hair. Flat areas cover the majority of the hair with just a few deeper recesses remaining towards the back of his head. It is these large flat areas giving the coin a less appealing and desirable look. When looking closely for smoothness, the cheek below the eye is flattened as well is the majority of the jaw line.

Silver Roosevelt dimes of the 1940's, when heavily worn begin to fall out of favor with collectors. Examples in nice, full details condition remain affordable and are sought.

How to Video: Grading Roosevelt Dimes

Examining all surfaces of a silver Roosevelt dime is often needed to decide a grade. Using the video judge both obverse and reverse to narrow a grade range.

Video, Images and Descriptions | Grading Roosevelt Dimes

Step 3: | Special Qualities Enhancing Value

Special Handling of Quality Roosevelt Dimes

Proper storage of old coins is an important step to take when preserving value. Maintaining the original surface quality of a silver coin with advanced age requires a level of care.

Silver tones and eventually becomes a very dark grey if left exposed to the environment. Proper storage addresses three main causes of problems and helps stop any further loss of quality.

  • Contact with other coins and receiving marks
  • Ease of handling | full view of the coin when enclosed
  • Avoiding humid conditions

Steps taken: One and Two above have separated these silver Roosevelt's dimes into main categories of Collector Quality and Bullion Quality. A bullion quality coin is conveniently kept with similar coins and storage is primarily to avoid humid conditions. Collector quality is given advanced storage conditions.

Examples of Roosevelt Dimes in Saflip Holders

Storing and maintaining value of higher quality collector coins is accomplished by housing each coin separate in its own holder. An excellent, first choice holder, are Saflips Mylar Flips. Clear mylar protects the coin from contact and gives full view of the coin. Coin is in one pocket of the flip and description card in the other pocket.

Saflips Mylar Flips are available in a 2 inch by 2 inch size, that holds all denominations of U.S. coinage. The 2x2 size fits in well with the majority of coin holders used by dealers and collectors. Place your coin in the holder, record information about the coin and store in a dry location. An excellent choice to protect quality. Dimes in the image above are coins I collected long ago. The Saflips they now reside in are from WizardCoinSuppy.com. A local coin dealer often stocks Saflips.

References

U.S. Mint. 1949 U.S. Mint Annual Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/340

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Coin Values Discovery finds 1948 Dime Value and...

All old U.S. coin values. Image and description index leading to value charts. Step by step method to date and variety identification. And grading condition by comparing to images, video and descriptions. Special qualities are also judged. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth.