1965 Roosevelt Dime Value (Rarest Sold for $16,450)

If you are interested in the 1965 Dime value, you have come to the right place! In this article, we are going to explain why you should check your pocket change in search of a valuable and rare 1965 Dime. Regular 1965 Dimes (also known as 1965 Roosevelt Dimes) are usually worth their face value, but if you come across a 1965 Dime struck on a silver planchet, you have hit the jackpot! Now, let’s see why this dime is so valuable.

When the U.S. Mint was getting ready to stop minting the 1964 Silver Dimes and replace them with 1965 Cupronickel (a metallic clad made of copper and nickel) Dimes, an accident happened. Apparently, by mistake, a silver planchet was used instead of a clad one in the mintage process of the 1965 Dimes. The 1965 Dimes with such errors are worth a fortune. For example, a 1965 10C Roosevelt Dime struck on a silver planchet in AU55 condition was sold for an incredible sum of  $8,625 in January 2006. Also, on a live auction in November 2012, a 1965 Dime struck on a silver planchet left over in MS62 condition was sold for an even more amazing price of $16,450.  

But, don’t despair! Experienced numismatists believe that there are several 1965 Silver Dimes still out there waiting to be discovered. Who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to come across such a valuable 1965 Dime. Wait no longer! Join us in our quest to reveal the factors affecting the value of the 1965 Dime, and find the rarest and most valuable samples!

History and Mintage of 1965 Dime

The history of the 1965 Dimes (Roosevelt Dimes) begins in 1946 when the Treasury Department introduced a new coin to honor one of the most popular and influential American Presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Following his death in 1945, he was portrayed on the 1946 Dime by the chief engraver John R. Sinnock. Starting with the 1946 Dimes to this date you can see his initials “JS” on the obverse of the coins. Until 1964, the Roosevelt Dime was comprised of 90% silver and 10% copper, and from 1965 onwards (with the acceptance of the Coinage Act of 1965) dime blanks were made of a clad “sandwich” of pure core copper between two outer layers of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) giving the final structure of 91.67% Cu and 8.33% Ni.

So, the year 1965 is well remembered because silver was not only removed from the 1965 Dime but also from the quarter-dollar and half-dollar denominations. The U.S. Mint’s goal was to change silver with a less expensive alloy of copper-nickel over a copper core. As we already mentioned even though they started producing the 1965 Dime from copper-nickel clad some dimes were struck on the 90% silver dime planchets left over from the 1964 dimes, and the rest is history. This particular historical moment added a significant value to this super rare 1965 Dime.

The Roosevelt Dime (1946 to date) was produced in the following U.S. Mints:

• Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mint produced the Roosevelt Dime from 1946 through 1964. The mintmarks on these dimes were struck to the left of the torch base, while the ones from 1968 onward had mint marks above the date;
• The Roosevelt Dimes struck in Philadelphia had no mint mark until 1980 when the “P” mint mark was introduced;
• Roosevelt dimes minted in Denver and San Francisco always had mint marks (“D” and “S”) except from 1965 to 1967 when these mint marks were missed out;
• All three U.S. Mints produced Roosevelt dimes for circulation through 1955, only the San Francisco Mint ceased mintage in 1955, while the other two mints continued alone until 1965;
• The San Francisco Mint was reactivated to seize the nationwide coin shortage, and during the last months of 1965 the 1964 Silver Dimes with no mint mark were struck here;

The fact that the 1965 Dimes were only minted in Philadelphia, and unlike the dimes produced before 1965 and after 1967 don’t carry mint marks only adds to their uniqueness. A total of 1,652,140,570 samples of the 1965 Dimes were minted in the Philadelphia Mint.  

1965 Dime Main Features

• Category: Roosevelt Dimes (1946 to date)
• Mints: Philadelphia
• Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
• Reverse designer: John R. Sinnock
• Composition: copper-nickel clad cooper (91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel)
• Weight: 2.268 g
• Diameter: 17.91 mm
• Thickness: 1.35 mm
• Face Value: 10 Cents, 1 Dime, or 0.10 USD
• Edge: Reeded (118 reeds)

The 1965 Dime is part of the Roosevelt Dime collection and has the following features:

• The obverse (face) of the 1965 Dime portrays the 32^ndS. President (1933-1945) facing left. It also carries the initials of both obverse and reverse designer John R. Sinnock diagonally placed at the base of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s profile. There was an unusual rumor that those initials were placed by a Soviet agent not to honor the designer but to honor the Russian leader Josef Stalin. The U.S. Mint had to release an official statement just to stop the widespread rumor. Besides Roosevelt’s portrait, you can also see these writings: “Liberty” (along the left edge of the coin), “In God we trust” (to the left of the portrait), and “1965” (to the right, pressed closely to the band).
• The reverse (back) of the 1965 Dime design consists of a torch, a sprig of oak, and an olive tree. The torch placed in the center of the reveres represents liberty, and the olive sprig placed left represents peace. On the right side of the torch, you can see the oak leaves that symbolize independence and power. Also, the reverse has these inscriptions: “United States of America” (around the top edge), “E pluribus unum” (“Out of many, one” running through the base of the torch and sprigs), and “One dime” (at the bottom).

Needless to say, the value of the 1964 Dime is closely related to its features. Once you know them all and you start appreciating every single detail, you are a step closer to discovering whether you have a valuable coin in your collection.

1965 Dime Value in Circulated and Uncirculated Condition

The value of the 1965 Dime in a circulated condition is between $0.15 and $0.35, according to Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) data.

USA Coin Book estimates that the 1965 Dime in uncirculated MS+ condition is worth $2.88 or more. According to their information, the coin’s melt value is its minimum value of $0.0219. However, if you check market prices, you will see that a 1965 Dimes in perfect, uncirculated condition (rare coins) can be worth as much as $400. If you look through the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) auction prices details you will find some of the most valuable and rare 1965 Dimes in uncirculated condition worth hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Besides the 1965 Dime in circulated and uncirculated condition, there is also the 1965 Silver Error Dime. Even though the U.S. Mint started the production of 1965 Dimes on copper-nickel clads, some of the 90% silver dime planchets planned for the 1964 Dime mintage were imprinted by 1965 dies. This mintage error created the most valuable 1965 Dimes out there. Collectors would love to have a rare and valuable 1965 Dime in good condition struck on a silver planchet. Well, who wouldn’t? As you can see there is a huge difference in the 1965 Dime value, so to come to the bottom of the issue we need to consider every aspect affecting the coin’s value.

1965 Dime no Mint Mark Value

The no-mint mark variety is the only variety of the 1965 Dime produced in the Philadelphia Mint. So, even though that makes this coin unique, it doesn’t add to its value. Usually, the 1965 Dimes with no mint mark in poor condition are worth only ten cents (their face value). The value increases if the coin is in perfect or nearly perfect condition. According to PCGS Price Guide, a 1965 Dime in MS66 condition is worth $26, while in MS68 is worth $1,500.

Because the 1965 Dime with no mint mark was produced in high quantity (it’s pretty common even nowadays), collectors prefer the rare 1965 Dimes carrying a specific error that affects the coin’s value.  

Besides the total mintage of 1,652,140,570 units of the 1965 Dime with no mint mark for circulation, 2,360,000 units of Special Mint Sets (SMS) presentations were produced.

Once you know the value of the 1965 Dime in circulated, uncirculated condition, and no mint mark, you are ready for the next level, spotting rare errors that increase the worth of the 1965 Dime.

Rare 1965 Dime Errors

For further assistance in determining the value of the 1965 Dime, we have created a list of 1965 Dime errors that affect the value of the coin. Since the 1965 Dime was minted in large quantities errors are a “must”! Thankfully errors are a plus when it comes to a coin’s worth. The most unique and rare errors create the most valuable coins. Here are some unique errors increasing the 1965 Dime value:

• Off-Center Error

If a 1965 Dime has an off-center error it means that the coin didn’t align properly with the dies during striking, and the result is a coin entirely off-center. 1965 Dimes with an off-center error are highly desirable, especially if they are well-detailed and visually remarkable. Such a dime in mint condition is worth around $100.

• Cladding Error

If a 1965 Dime has a cladding error it means it was struck on planchets for other denominations, thus resulting in a wrong structure. Some 1965 Dimes with a cladding error didn’t have an obverse at all, and some were not entirely clad. Such a dime in an MS64 condition was sold for $90 during an auction. If the cladding error is well-defined the price goes much higher.

• Silver Dime Error

According to numismatists, a 1965 Dime with silver dime error (also known as transitional off-metal error) is the most unique and highly sought-after coin. This error occurred by accident when some 1965 Dimes were struck on the silver planchets left over from the 1964 Silver Dimes. Due to its rarity, a 1965 Dime with a silver error is worth between $3,000 at $6,000 depending on the coin’s condition. Such a coin in MS62 condition was sold for a huge sum of $9,000, back in 2019 at one of Heritage Auctions.

• Broad Struck Error

A 1965 Dime with a broad-struck error is not as valuable as the silver dime error but is still worthy. If a 1965 Dime has this error it means that the coin was struck without a collar die, so in the end the coin has no edge reeding and is a bit wider and thinner than the regular dimes. Therefore, if you take a closer look

The coin seems elongated and distorted. A 1965 Dime with this particular error in MS65 condition was sold for $80.

• Die Break Error

Collectors love the die-break errors only when they are obvious and striking in the eyes of the observer. A 1965 Dime with a die break error has a crack that occurs when the die used in striking the coin breaks or makes a crack, creating a fragmented design. Such a coin in MS65 condition was sold for $20 because the error was not glaring. But depending on the location and manifestation of the die break error a 1965 Dime carrying this error can be worth much more than $20.

1965 Dime Valuable Error Varieties

Both passionate coin collectors and newbies in the world of numismatics are after the 1965 Dimes with rare errors. Whether you are in the first or later group, here is a list of ten 1965 valuable error varieties you should know about:  

• 1965 Dime Errors (Struck off Center): $2,499.95;

• 1965 Dime with Errors: $2,499;
• 1965 Dime Strike Errors: $1,000;
• 1965 Dime Errors (DDO, Misaligned, Gouge Roosevelt Hair): $999;

• 1965 Dime Errors (Double Die Obverse- DDO): $900;
• 1965 Dime with Errors: $500;
• 1965 Dime with Errors on the Obverse (Torch and Rim): $450;
• 1965 Dime with Errors: $280;
• 1965 Dime Errors (Struck Off-center, Double Struck): $250;

• 1965 Dime Errors (Cooper Coming Through, “We” is up on the Rim): $225.

For more information, you can check eBay prices and available 1965 Dimes error varieties within your budget. 

1965 Dime Auction Record Value

To understand the market value of the 1965 Dime, you should review PCGS Auction Prices on the Roosevelt Dime (1946 to date). Here is the data on the 1965 Dime auction record value:

The auction record goes to a 1965 Dime struck on a silver planchet in AU55 condition sold on one of Heritage Auctions for an astounding sum of $8,625.

Most Valuable 1965 Dimes

Besides the rare and valuable 1965 Dimes that hold the PCGS auction record, we have included some of the most valuable 1965 Dimes from different auctions in the following table:

According to this information, the top of the table is occupied with another bright silver 1965 Dime struck on a silver dime planchet in MS62 condition with a trace of toning on the lower reverse sold for a staggering price of $16,450.

Conclusion

The rarest and most valuable 1965 Dimes are those struck on a silver planchet (silver dime error). However, there are other valuable varieties out there that interest knowledgeable collectors.

One thing is for sure you have to consider every factor before determining the value of the 1965 Dime. Hopefully, our research and data will help you understand the 1965 Dime value in your possession or encourage you to add this unique coin to your private collection. Check the auction prices and start investing in some of the rare error varieties of the 1965 dime. If you calculate every option, you can make a wise assessment and proudly call yourself a successful collector of valuable 1965 Dimes.

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