1964 D Roosevelt Dime

Mint: Denver
Mintage: 1,357,517,180
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 (12/3/2017)
Diameter: 17.9mm
Edge: Reeded

This issue had the largest mintage among silver Roosevelt Dimes by a very substantial margin. Its great production, however, requires some explanation. To combat the hoarding of coins by "collectors," which Congress and the Mint incorrectly blamed for the nation's coin shortage, a freeze of the 1964 date was authorized that same year. Thus, 1964-D dimes were coined as late as 1966! In fact, only just over a third of all 1964-D dimes were actually coined during 1964.

Extremely common in average Mint State grades, and 1964-D are only slightly scarce in the higher grades through MS 67. A fair percentage may be found with FT details, though the NGC Census figures distort the availability of such coins, as FT examples are more likely to be submitted for grading than are lesser pieces.

1964-D dimes are rich in varieties, which is not surprising given the huge number of dies required for such a large production. This issue is a cherrypicker's delight, and there are still many bags and rolls that have not been checked for such pieces.