Dimes minted before 1965 in the United States contain 90% silver, which makes them valuable beyond their face value. These coins, which are often referred to as junk silver dimes, are highly sought after by collectors and investors due to their 90% silver content and historical significance.
Understanding the silver content in dimes, their melt value, and how to identify them is essential for anyone interested in silver investing, coin collecting, or even bullion trading. This guide explains which U.S. dimes contain silver, how to identify them, their silver weight and melt value, and how many silver dimes equal one troy ounce.
Now, let’s explore the history, value, and silver content of U.S. dimes.
What are Junk Silver Dimes and Why are They Valuable?
Junk silver dimes are U.S. dimes minted before 1965 with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. They are typically called “junk silver” because they are only valued for their silver content rather than their numismatic rarity.
All junk silver dimes will have the same characteristics:
- Minted before 1965 with 90% silver content
- No visible copper stripe on the coin’s edge
- Retains value even after continued circulation
- Popular with investors as a powerful hedge against inflation
How Much Silver Is in a Junk Silver Dime?
Each junk silver dime typically weighs 2.5 grams (.088 troy ounces). The silver content in this coin is around 0.0723 troy ounces. That means that 14 silver dimes equal one troy ounce of silver.
What are Mercury Dimes (Sometimes Called Winged Liberties)?
The Mercury dime is a 10-cent U.S. coin minted from 1916 to 1945. Much like other dimes circulated in the USA, it comprises 90% silver and 10% copper. This dime is different from others because of what it represents and who designed it.
This coin was designed by none other than Adolph A. Weinman, and it has a very particular image on either side of the coin. On the obverse side, Lady Liberty is wearing a winged Phrygian cap, which is often mistaken for Mercury, the Roman god of commerce. In the reverse design, the symbol people see is a fasces, or a bundle of rods with an axe. This image represents strength and unity.
Some Mercury Dimes are highly valuable due to low mintage or minting errors. Rare examples may be worth thousands of dollars based on condition and grading. For example, if you have a 1916-D Mercury Dime, only 264,000 were minted and they are worth up to $35,000 in mint condition. On the other hand, a 1921 or 1921-D Mercury Dime is another with low mintage that remains in high demand. And lastly, any 1942/1 or 1942/1-D Mercury Dimes with overdate errors are exceptionally rare, worth up to $50,000 in high grades.
How Much Silver is in a Mercury Dime?
No matter the year listed on your coin, each Mercury Dime has about the same amount of silver. Each Mercury Dime contains 0.0723 troy ounces of pure silver. The total weight is 2.5 grams (0.088 troy ounces) like with other dimes prior to 1965. Made of 90% silver, the melt value depends on the current silver spot price. However, just like with silver dimes, 14 Mercury Dimes weigh more than one troy ounce of silver.
What are Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891)?
This dime is a 10-cent coin that was produced from 1837 to 1891. It was the first U.S. dime to contain 90% silver content. This coin is distinguishable because of its obverse and reverse design, which was created by Christian Gobrecht. When minting began, the design featured Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield, and a liberty cap on the obverse side. On the reverse, there was a wreath encircling the words “ONE DIME.”
Dimes minted from 1837 to 1853 have a silver weight of 2.67 grams, and they are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. On the other hand, if they were made starting in the year 1853 onward to 1891, then the weight is only 2.49 grams.
Some of the rarest earlier Seated Liberty dimes to look out for include the year 1856-S Seated Liberty Dime, which was minted in San Francisco. Another you can bring to a collector for a sizable prize is the 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime, which is scarce and minted in Carson City, Nevada.
What are Barber Dimes?
Designed by Charles E. Barber, these dimes are made of 90% silver content and feature Lady Liberty wearing a laurel wreath on its obverse side. On the reverse side, you’ll see “ONE DIME” encircled by wheat, corn, and oak leaves. They were minted from 1892 to 1916. Some of the rarest coins are Barber dimes, including the 1894-S Barber Dime. Only 24 of them exist and some sell for over $1 million. On the other hand, the 1901-S Barber dime had low mintage and is worth $500+ in worn condition, and the 1913-S Barber dime often sells for $100 or more.
What are Winged Liberty Head (“Mercury”) Dimes (1916-1945)?
Mercury dimes are officially called Winged Liberty Head, but they gained their popular name due to the coin’s design, which closely resembles the Roman god Mercury. However, as time passed on, these were replaced by the Roosevelt dime. The Roosevelt dime replaced this coin in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, particularly for his role as the founder of the March of Dimes to fight polio.
What are Modern Proof Dimes (1992 – Present)?
From 1992 to 2018, the U.S. Mint produced special proof Roosevelt dimes made of .900 fine silver. However, starting in 2019, Silver Proof Sets were upgraded to .99 fine silver, or 99.9% pure silver. You can identify these by looking for an “S” mint mark. They also have a highly polished, mirror-like finish. Each of these weighs 2.5 grams, while a modern clad dime is typically 2.27 grams. Modern Silver Proof Dimes will sell for $2 to $5, but Silver proof Dimes from 2019 onward are rarer and worth much more.
| Coin Type | Years Minted | Silver Content | Silver Weight (oz) | Key Features |
| Seated Liberty Dime | 1837–1891 | 90% Silver | 0.0715–0.0723 | First silver dime, Liberty seated on a rock |
| Barber Dime | 1892–1916 | 90% Silver | 0.0723 | Features Liberty with laurel wreath |
| Mercury Dime | 1916–1945 | 90% Silver | 0.0723 | Liberty wearing a winged cap, fasces on reverse |
| Roosevelt Dime | 1946–1964 | 90% Silver | 0.0723 | Honors Franklin D. Roosevelt, still in circulation |
| Modern Silver Proof Dimes | 1992–Present | 90%–99.9% Silver | 0.0723 (1992-2018) / 0.999 fine (2019-Present) | Proof coins, “S” mint mark, mirror-like finish |
| Post-1965 Dimes | 1965–Present | No Silver | 0.00 | Copper-nickel clad, no precious metal value |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many silver dimes make one ounce?
It takes 14 dimes to make up one troy ounce of silver.
What years of dimes are silver?
All U.S. dimes made before 1965 contain 90% silver.
Why is the 1975 dime worth so much?
The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime is a scarce proof dime, with only two known to exist. Currently, they are worth more than $500,000.
What year are dimes 40% silver?
No U.S. dimes were ever 40% silver. Only half of the dollars made from 1965 to 1970 contained 40% silver.
What year of dimes are real silver?
All dimes minted before 1965 are made of 90% fine silver.
Are all 1965 dimes silver?
No, 1965 dimes are clad, or copper-nickel, rather than made of 999 fine silver.
Are all 1964 dimes silver?
Yes, all 1964 dimes are 90% silver.
What years are 90% silver dimes?
U.S. dimes made from 1796-1964 all contain 90% silver.
Are silver dimes worth any money?
Yes, silver dimes are worth more than face value. Typically, you’ll find most are valued at $1.50+ based on silver prices. Determining its worth requires comparing the dime in relation to others to determine its rarity and age, as well as the quality of the image on either side.
Is a 1964 silver dime worth anything?
Yes, a 1964 silver dime is worth its melt value of around $1.50+.
Is a 1965 dime real silver?
No, 1965 dimes contain no silver at all. All coins made after this year continue to be produced with clad.
What dimes have 90% silver?
There are numerous dimes that are made of 90% silver, including Seated Liberty, Mercury, pre-1965 Roosevelt, and Barber dimes.
Is a 1964 dime a silver dime?
Yes, all 1964 dimes contain 90% silver.