1963 P Roosevelt Coin

Mint: Philadelphia
Mintage: 123,650,000
Obverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
Reverse Designer: John R. Sinnock
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.9000
Weight: 2.5000g
ASW: 0.0723oz
Melt Value: $1.19 (12/2/2017)
Diameter: 17.9mm
Edge: Reeded

Dime production at the Philadelphia Mint nearly doubled over the previous year, as the nationwide coin shortage became big news in 1963. Also announced that year was the Treasury Department's belief that silver coinage would be coming to an end shortly. This led to even greater hoarding of fresh USA coins by speculators, an activity that peaked the following year before the market in bags and rolls collapsed. This issue is common in all grades through MS 67, and there seem to be enough FT examples certified to supply the demand from advanced collectors of the Roosevelt series. Some examples may be semi-prooflike on one or both sides from having been struck with retired proof dies, but these always seem to fall short of being sufficiently brilliant to earn a PL designation. 1963(P) dimes are rich in varieties, though most of these apply to the proof strikings. Still, there are a few desirable varieties for the currency pieces, as well.