Description
Silver dimes, sometimes referred to as “junk silver” in the industry, are dimes produced in the United States before 1965, containing 90% silver. Additionally, proof Roosevelt dimes issued between 1992 and 2018 in special Silver Proof Sets were struck from .900 fine silver.
Dimes with Lady Liberty images, including Seated Liberty (1837–1891) and Barber dimes (1892–1916), are made of silver. Mercury dimes (1916–1945), featuring a winged-cap Liberty design that is often mistaken for Mercury, are also silver. Some modern proof dimes with the Franklin D. Roosevelt design may also have 90% silver content, but a professional evaluation would be needed to confirm these.
Calculating the melt value of silver dimes involves multiplying the actual silver weight by the current spot price of silver. A common-date dime’s melt value can reach up to $1.50, significantly higher than its face value of only 10¢. Collectors appreciate these dimes for their historical value and intrinsic silver content, with the most reliable valuation obtained from reputable coin dealers.