1946 Dime Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1946 Dime value ranges from $0.10 face value to $12,650. That record was a Grade 69 example sold through Superior Galleries in November 2004. Upload a photo of yours below for a quick value range based on condition and mint mark. Scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are actually paying right now.

 

1946 Dime Value By Variety

The 1946 Roosevelt Dime was struck at three mints, and each variety carries different values based on mintage and condition.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Value (1946-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1946 Dime Worth Money

The highest-graded 1946 dimes command impressive premiums at auction. A 1946 Roosevelt Dime in MS 69 condition leads the chart at $12,650, representing near-perfect preservation from the series’ first year.

The second position belongs to a 1946 MS 68 Full Bands specimen that realized $10,869 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in October 2015. Full Bands (FB) coins show complete horizontal separation on the torch bands, reflecting a superior strike that significantly increases collector demand.

MS 68 grades show dramatic price swings across varieties. A 1946-D Full Bands MS 68 (graded NGC MS68*) reached $4,888 at Heritage Auctions on July 12, 2007, while a standard 1946 MS 68 brings around $2,588. The 1946-S MS 68 commands $1,840, and a standard 1946-D MS 68 fetches around $1,000.

The chart also highlights a notable error variety. A 1946-D/D RPM FS-501 in MS 67 Full Bands sold for $995 in 2021, reflecting strong demand for repunched mintmark varieties from the inaugural year.

 

History Of The 1946 Dime

President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, leaving a nation deeply mourning its four-term wartime leader. He had guided America through the Great Depression and most of World War II, and his death came just months before final Allied victory.

The Mint Director at the time, Nellie Tayloe Ross, chose the dime for particularly meaningful reasons. Roosevelt had battled polio since 1921 and co-founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. That organization’s fundraising campaign—asking Americans to send dimes to the White House—became known as the March of Dimes.

Less than a month after Roosevelt’s death, Representative James Hobson Morrison introduced legislation for the new design, and President Harry Truman quickly signed it into law.

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, who had held his position since 1925, was chosen for the task because he had already designed a Roosevelt presidential medal in 1933. Much of the actual model work was carried out by Sinnock’s assistant, Gilroy Roberts, who would later become Chief Engraver himself.

Sinnock’s first plaster models, submitted on October 12, 1945, were rejected by the Commission of Fine Arts, which had been reviewing coin designs since a 1921 executive order by President Warren G. Harding.

The commission proposed a design competition among five prominent artists, including Adolph A. Weinman (designer of the Mercury Dime) and James Earle Fraser (creator of the Buffalo Nickel). Mint Director Ross declined, as the deadline pressure was enormous.

Treasury Secretary Fred Vinson also rejected the revised models in late December 1945. Sinnock made a final round of changes—swapping the positions of the date and the word LIBERTY to allow enlargement of Roosevelt’s portrait—and the design was finally approved on January 8, 1946. The Philadelphia Mint struck the very first Roosevelt dimes on January 19, 1946. They were released into circulation on January 30, Roosevelt’s birthday.

Two controversies followed the coin’s release. The first centered on Sinnock’s initials “JS” below Roosevelt’s neck, which anti-Communist groups falsely claimed stood for Joseph Stalin. Rumors of a secret Soviet infiltrator at the Mint persisted into the 1950s.

The second involved sculptor Selma Burke, who argued that Sinnock’s portrait was copied from her 1945 bronze bas-relief of Roosevelt, unveiled at the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. Robert R. Van Ryzin, in his book on mysteries about U.S. coins, analyzed both claims. A 1956 New York Times obituary credits photographer Marcel Sternberger with supplying the photograph Sinnock adapted for the design, but the passage of time has made it impossible to fully resolve the dispute.

The 1946 Roosevelt Dime was the first regular-issue U.S. coin designed by a Mint employee in more than 40 years, making it a milestone in numismatic history as well as a tribute to a beloved president.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List

 

Is Your 1946 Dime Rare?

Determining rarity requires examining mint marks, strike quality, and condition grades. Most circulated 1946 dimes are common, but high-grade and Full Bands examples can be genuinely scarce—particularly in MS67 and above. Check your coin’s specific details with the Coin Identifier and Value App for an accurate rarity assessment.

 

Key Features Of The 1946 Dime

John R. Sinnock designed the 1946 Roosevelt Dime with symbolic elements honoring the late president. The obverse displays Roosevelt’s dignified profile, while the reverse features a torch flanked by branches representing core American ideals.

Understanding these design details helps collectors identify authentic specimens and accurately assess condition.

The Obverse Of The 1946 Dime

The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The word “LIBERTY” arcs along the upper rim, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in smaller letters below his chin.

The date “1946” sits at the lower right, and designer John R. Sinnock’s initials “JS” appear just below the neck truncation. Originally, Sinnock designed the coin to carry the highest relief possible for a circulation-strike dime, aiming for what numismatic author David Lange described in a November 1999 article in The Numismatist as a “true sculptural quality.”

The Reverse Of The 1946 Dime

The reverse displays three powerful American symbols arranged symmetrically. A flaming torch occupies the center, representing liberty. An olive branch to the left symbolizes peace, and an oak branch to the right signifies strength and independence.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the top rim, “ONE DIME” appears at the bottom, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” stretches across the field. For 1946 dimes, the “D” or “S” mint mark—when present—appears to the left of the torch’s base.

The torch bands on the reverse are critically important for collectors. PCGS awards a “Full Bands” (FB) designation when the upper and lower horizontal bands of the torch show complete, clean separation on coins grading MS60 or better. NGC applies an even stricter standard called “Full Torch” (FT), which also requires well-defined vertical torch lines—so a coin can earn PCGS FB but not NGC FT.

Other Features Of The 1946 Dime

The 1946 dime measures 17.91 mm in diameter and weighs 2.50 grams. Its composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it an actual silver weight (ASW) of 0.07234 troy ounces. The edge features 118 reeded ridges. These specifications remained standard for all silver Roosevelt dimes through 1964, when the Coinage Act of 1965 changed the composition to copper-nickel clad due to rising silver bullion prices.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Dimes Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

1946 Dime Silver Melt Value And Why It Matters

Every 1946 Roosevelt Dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver, which sets a built-in “floor” below which no intact example should trade. With silver prices elevated in early 2026, that melt floor is approximately $7.50 per coin—a significant jump from just a few years ago when circulated 1946 dimes traded for roughly $1.80 to $2.00.

This means even a heavily worn 1946 dime with no special features is worth real money today, simply for its precious metal content. Collectors and silver stackers alike pay attention to this floor value, because it ensures that even common-date Roosevelt silver dimes retain meaningful worth regardless of numismatic grade.

To calculate your coin’s current melt value, multiply 0.07234 by the current silver spot price. For the most accurate real-time figures, check live silver prices at resources like APMEX or Coinflation before buying or selling.

 

1946 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1946 Roosevelt Dime saw massive production across three mints, totaling over 344 million coins. Philadelphia led with 255,250,000 pieces struck—nearly 74% of total mintage and the sixth-highest single-year production figure in the entire silver Roosevelt dime series (1946–1964). Only the 1962-D, 1963-D, 1964-P, and 1964-D surpassed it.

Denver followed with 61,043,500 dimes bearing the “D” mint mark. San Francisco produced the lowest quantity at 27,900,000 coins. Despite very different production volumes, all three varieties share roughly a 10% survival rate today. Approximately 25.5 million Philadelphia dimes remain, 6.1 million Denver pieces survive, and about 2.8 million San Francisco coins still exist.

The uniform survival rate suggests similar circulation patterns across all mints. Most 1946 dimes entered commerce and wore down through daily use, with survivors mostly being coins put aside by early collectors or stored in bank rolls.

Also Read: Top 70+ Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money (Chart By Year)

 

The Easy Way To Know Your 1946 Dime Value

Determining your 1946 dime’s value requires examining several key factors. First, locate the mint mark on the reverse near the torch base—a “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or nothing for Philadelphia. Check the coin’s overall condition, looking for wear on the high points of Roosevelt’s hair and the torch bands.

Inspect the torch bands carefully under at least 5x magnification: on a Full Bands example, the upper and lower horizontal bands appear fully separated from left to right with crisp, clean lines. On most circulated dimes, those bands will appear connected or mushy. For instant, accurate valuations based on current market data, use the Coin Identifier and Value App to scan your coin.

 

1946 Dime Value Guides

• 1946 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) — Struck at the main Philadelphia Mint with the highest production of 255,250,000 pieces. These coins carry no mint mark on the reverse. Despite massive mintage, high-grade survivors are scarce—PCGS had graded only one example at the MS68 level as of 2011.
• 1946-D (Denver) — Produced at the Denver Mint with 61,043,500 coins struck. The “D” mint mark appears on the reverse to the left of the torch base. In MS67, only a couple hundred examples are known; MS68 examples are rarer still, with none finer recorded at PCGS.
• 1946-S (San Francisco) — The San Francisco Mint created the lowest mintage at 27,900,000 pieces. The “S” mint mark sits near the torch’s left base. In MS67, approximately 500–1,000 examples are estimated to exist; in MS68, the PCGS CoinFacts entry notes probably no more than two dozen known.

Full Bands designation significantly impacts desirability across all three varieties. A complete date-and-mintmark set of silver Roosevelt dimes in MS67 Full Bands traded at $19,425 per the November 2021 PCGS Price Guide, compared to just $3,495 for the same set without Full Bands—a stark illustration of how much strike quality matters.

 

1946 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1946 Philadelphia dime carries no mint mark and represents the most common variety. Over 255 million pieces were struck, making circulated examples widely available and—thanks to elevated silver prices in 2026—worth at least $7.50 just for their silver content.

Pristine specimens become remarkably scarce in the higher mint state grades. Coins grading MS67 are limited to roughly 150–250 known examples per PCGS CoinFacts estimates. At the MS68 level, only a single example had been graded by PCGS as of 2011—making it extraordinarily rare for such a high-mintage date.

Top-quality examples command substantial premiums at auction. A certified MS69 specimen achieved $12,650 in 2004. A Full Bands example in MS68 realized $10,869 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in October 2015. These prices reflect how difficult it is to find a 1946 Philadelphia dime that survived nearly 80 years in pristine, fully struck condition.

Recent auction records demonstrate the range of prices across different grades and platforms.

Market activity tracking shows consistent monthly interest from buyers and sellers nationwide.

 

1946-D Dime Value

The 1946-D dime features a “D” mint mark on the reverse near the torch base. Denver produced 61,043,500 pieces, making it the second-highest mintage variety. Circulated examples are readily available, and their silver content gives them a melt-value floor of around $7.50 in early 2026.

Scarcity increases substantially in higher grades. At MS66, a few thousand examples survive. In MS67, the PCGS CoinFacts notes only a couple hundred known, with none certified finer by PCGS—making this the top of the population for the regular-strike 1946-D. The Full Bands designation adds another layer of rarity on top of that.

Standard MS68 examples have reached $1,000 at auction, and a Full Bands specimen graded NGC MS68* achieved $4,888 at Heritage Auctions on July 12, 2007. The asterisk (*) denotes an exceptional strike quality noted by NGC above the standard Full Bands threshold.

Historical sales data reveals pricing patterns for Denver Mint examples across certification services.

Trading volume data indicates steady collector participation throughout the year for this variety.

 

1946-S Dime Value

The 1946-S dime displays an “S” mint mark on the reverse near the torch base. San Francisco struck only 27,900,000 pieces—the lowest production among all three mints and the scarcest variety by original mintage. Like all 1946 dimes, circulated examples carry a silver melt floor of approximately $7.50 today.

According to PCGS CoinFacts, scarcity increases dramatically in higher mint state grades. In MS66, a couple thousand examples are known, with many still uncertified. In MS67, the population drops to roughly 500–1,000 pieces estimated. In MS68, the coin is almost unheard of, with probably no more than two dozen known across all services.

Premium examples command strong prices at auction. A standard MS68 specimen reached $1,840 in 2007. Full Bands varieties bring significantly higher premiums, with an MS68 Full Bands example achieving $5,819 in 2007 as well.

Auction results document the performance of San Francisco varieties across different grade levels.

Monthly transaction data shows sustained collector interest in premium-quality San Francisco specimens.

1946-S Sans Serif MM FS-504 Dime Value

The Sans Serif mint mark variety features a distinctly different “S” style compared to the standard 1946-S dime. Regular 1946-S dimes use a “Trumpet Tail” font with decorative serifs—the ornamental curves and tails at the ends of letter strokes. The Sans Serif version displays a simpler “S” with uniform line thickness and no decorative elements.

This variety represents one of three different mint mark punches documented for 1946 San Francisco dimes. Workers applied different tools during die preparation, and the Sans Serif punch reached very few dies. Certified population numbers remain in single digits across all grades.

An MS66 Full Bands specimen achieved $999 in 2019, and a lower-grade AU58 (About Uncirculated, with only the faintest trace of wear) example sold for $500 in 2015. Most collectors never encounter one in circulation or dealer inventory.

Monthly trading activity reflects the limited availability and specialized collector interest in this variety.

Also Read: 16 Rare Dime Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1946 Dime Error List

The 1946 Roosevelt Dime series includes several collectible die varieties and minting errors that originated during die production or mintmark application at the three U.S. Mints. The massive total mintage of over 344 million coins means that many working dies were used under pressure, increasing the chance of misalignment and error.

Doubled die (DDO = Doubled Die Obverse; DDR = Doubled Die Reverse) errors result from misaligned hub impressions during die creation. Repunched Mintmarks (RPM) occurred when mint workers hand-punched the “D” or “S” using a steel punch and mallet, then corrected a weak or misaligned impression with a second blow.

1. 1946 DDO & DDR FS-101 Value

The FS-101 variety combines both doubled die obverse and reverse features on a single coin. The working die received multiple misaligned impressions from the hub, and doubling appears most prominently on the obverse. The letters “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY” show clear doubled images, and the numeral “6” in the date shows visible separation under magnification.

The reverse also exhibits doubling, though less dramatic. Only five Mint State examples have been certified without the Full Bands designation. A specimen in MS64 condition achieved $750 at auction in 2021, making this one of the more valuable doubled die varieties for this date.

2. 1946 DDO (FS-102 To FS-104) Value

Three additional doubled die obverse varieties affect Philadelphia dimes from 1946. The FS-102 through FS-104 designations identify distinct die states with varying doubling strength, and each shows doubled letters on “LIBERTY” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

The FS-102 variety presents moderate doubling visible under magnification. Both regular strikes and Full Bands examples exist, and an MS65 specimen sold for $210 in 2019. The FS-103 shows similar characteristics with slightly different doubling patterns, with an MS63 example bringing $115 at auction in 2020. The FS-104 represents the weakest doubling among these three varieties.

3. 1946-D/D RPM (FS-501 And FS-502) Value

Denver Mint coins display repunched mintmark varieties designated FS-501 and FS-502. These errors occurred during the manual mintmark application process, where mint technicians used a steel punch and mallet to stamp the “D” onto working dies. When the initial impression appeared weak or misaligned, workers punched again—slight movement between strikes created doubled mintmark images.

The FS-501 variety shows the repunching most clearly under magnification, with the secondary impression appearing lighter or thinner than the primary mark. A Full Bands specimen in MS67 condition reached $995 at auction in 2021, illustrating the strong demand for top-quality error coins from this inaugural year.

4. 1946-S/S DDR & RPM (FS-501 And FS-502) Value

San Francisco produced two notable varieties combining repunched mintmarks with doubled die reverses. The FS-501 and FS-502 designations identify distinct combinations of these two errors, which significantly increases collector interest—two errors in one coin is always a draw for specialists.

The doubling appears most visible on the torch’s left side and olive branch, and the repunched “S” mintmark shows clear separation under magnification. The finest known example—the FS-501 in MS68 Full Bands—achieved $2,760 at Heritage Auctions on June 7, 2020. The FS-502 variety typically sells for lower premiums.

5. 1946-S/S RPM FS-503 Value

The FS-503 variety is a pure repunched mintmark error—no doubled die features accompany it. The secondary “S” impression appears in a different position from the primary mark, and the repunching is identifiable under magnification showing clear evidence of multiple punch applications.

An MS67 specimen sold for $120 in 2021. While more modest in price compared to the dual-error varieties, this RPM is still a worthwhile variety for Roosevelt dime specialists building a comprehensive 1946 error set.

 

Where To Sell Your 1946 Dime?

Ready to sell your 1946 dime? We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on the best places to sell coins online, complete with pros and cons for each platform. Whether you choose auction sites, dealer networks, or specialized marketplaces, our detailed comparison will help you make an informed decision and maximize your coin’s value.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1946 Dime Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1946 Dime Value

1. What is a 1946 dime worth in 2026?

In 2026, with silver prices elevated, a circulated 1946 dime is worth at least $7.50 in melt value alone, based on its 0.07234 troy ounces of silver. Uncirculated examples in MS65 range from around $15–$30, while top-grade MS69 specimens have sold for as much as $12,650. Full Bands examples (FB) showing complete torch band separation can double or triple the value at any given grade.

2. Is there anything special about a 1946 dime?

The 1946 Roosevelt Dime is the inaugural year of the longest-running dime series in U.S. history—a series still in production today. It was released on January 30, 1946 (Roosevelt’s 64th birthday), honored FDR’s connection to the March of Dimes, and was the first regular-issue coin designed by a Mint employee in over 40 years.

Its design was also wrapped in two controversies: rumors about the “JS” initials (falsely linked to Joseph Stalin) and claims by sculptor Selma Burke that Sinnock copied her Roosevelt portrait.

3. Where is the mint mark on a 1946 silver dime?

The mint mark on a 1946 dime appears on the reverse (back) side, located to the left of the torch’s base. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark, Denver coins show a “D,” and San Francisco pieces display an “S.” Note that this reverse mint mark position was standard through 1964; from 1968 onward, mint marks moved to the obverse above the date.

4. What does “Full Bands” mean on a 1946 dime, and why does it matter?

Full Bands (FB) refers to the horizontal bands at the center of the torch on the reverse. When a coin was struck with sufficient pressure and a fresh die, the upper and lower bands separate cleanly and completely across the torch’s width.

PCGS awards the “FB” designation to coins in MS60 or better showing this full separation, while NGC uses the stricter “Full Torch” (FT) standard that also requires sharp vertical torch lines. An FB-designated 1946 dime can be worth two to five times more than a non-FB example at the same grade.

5. How do I check if my 1946 dime is silver?

The easiest way is to look at the coin’s edge. A genuine 1946 silver dime will show a solid silver-colored edge with no copper stripe. (The copper stripe only appears on post-1964 clad dimes.)

You can also slide a strong rare-earth magnet across the surface—silver is non-magnetic and creates a slow “eddy current” drag, while a copper-nickel counterfeit lets the magnet slide freely. All 1946 Roosevelt dimes were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper.

6. What are the scarcest 1946 dimes by population?

According to PCGS CoinFacts, the 1946 Philadelphia dime in MS68 is exceptionally rare with only one graded by PCGS as of 2011. The 1946-S in MS68 has “probably no more than 2 dozen known.” Even in MS67, populations are thin: roughly 150–250 for the 1946-P, a couple hundred for the 1946-D, and 500–1,000 for the 1946-S. Full Bands examples at these grades are rarer still.

7. Who designed the 1946 Roosevelt Dime, and was there a design controversy?

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock designed the coin, with significant assistance from his assistant Gilroy Roberts (who later became Chief Engraver himself). The design went through three rejected drafts before final approval on January 8, 1946. After release, sculptor Selma Burke claimed Sinnock’s portrait was based on her 1945 bronze bas-relief of Roosevelt.

A 1956 New York Times obituary credited photographer Marcel Sternberger’s image as Sinnock’s source, but the matter was never conclusively resolved according to researcher Robert R. Van Ryzin.

8. Are 1946 dime errors worth more than regular strikes?

Yes, significantly. A standard 1946-D in MS65 might sell for $15–$30, but a 1946-D/D Repunched Mintmark (RPM FS-501) in MS67 Full Bands reached $995 in 2021. The 1946-S/S DDR & RPM FS-501 in MS68 Full Bands—combining two separate errors—sold for $2,760 at Heritage Auctions in June 2020. The dual-error nature of some San Francisco varieties is especially prized by specialists.

9. Should I get my 1946 dime professionally graded by PCGS or NGC?

Professional grading makes sense for coins that appear to grade MS65 or higher, or for any example that might qualify for Full Bands designation. Grading fees typically run $20–$50 per coin, but certification can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a coin’s realized value in top grades. For heavily circulated coins that are likely worth only their silver melt value ($7.50 in early 2026), grading costs usually exceed the potential upside.

10. How does silver price affect the value of a 1946 dime?

Every 1946 Roosevelt Dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver, which ties its minimum value directly to the silver spot price. With silver at approximately $104 per ounce in January 2026, even a worn 1946 dime carries a built-in silver melt floor of roughly $7.50.

This is a dramatic shift from just a few years earlier when that floor sat below $2.00. It means that for common-grade circulated examples, the silver melt value is now the dominant pricing factor—numismatic premiums add on top of that floor rather than replacing it.