1949 Dime Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1949 Roosevelt Dime represents a pivotal year in America’s post-war coinage history, emerging during an economic recession that dramatically limited production across all three U.S. Mint facilities. With combined mintages totaling just over 70 million pieces, the second-lowest yearly output in the entire silver Roosevelt series, depending on the condition, these dimes have different collector premiums..

Understanding 1949 Dime value requires examining both mint mark and preservation quality. Even heavily circulated examples trade from $1.80 to $4.00 depending on variety, while mint state specimens range from $16.71 to $38.43 for standard strikes. The coveted Full Bands designation dramatically elevates values, with premium examples reaching $48.50 to $169.21 in uncirculated grades.

Whether you’re assessing a coin inherited from family or actively building a Roosevelt Dime collection, accurately determining your 1949 Dime value begins with proper identification and grading.

 

1949 Dime Value By Variety

The following chart breaks down the 1949 Roosevelt Dime values across all three mint varieties (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) and their respective Full Bands designations, organized by condition grade to help collectors assess their coins. 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 1949 Dime Worth Money

The top 10 most valuable 1949 Roosevelt Dimes reveal a clear hierarchy driven by exceptional condition and Full Bands designation. High-grade examples dominating MS67 to MS68 levels command prices ranging from $480 to an impressive $13,200, demonstrating the extraordinary premiums collectors pay for near-perfect preservation.

The 1949 Philadelphia MS68 FB leads the rankings at $13,200, followed by the 1949-S MS68 FB at $6,000 and 1949-D MS68 FB at $5,635. This hierarchy reflects both the superior strike quality required to achieve Full Bands status and the extreme scarcity of coins surviving in gem MS68 condition across all three mint facilities.

Mint mark variations also significantly impact value hierarchy, as evidenced by the Philadelphia mint (no mint mark) commanding the highest price at MS-68 grade. San Francisco (S) and Denver (D) mint marks show substantial values in comparable grades, though typically lower than their Philadelphia counterparts, reflecting relative scarcity and collector demand patterns.

The pricing structure reveals exponential value appreciation as grades increase from MS-65 to MS-68. A single grade point difference can translate to thousands of dollars in market value, with MS-68 examples commanding multiples of MS-67 specimens from the same mint.

 

History of The 1949 Dime

The 1949 Roosevelt Dime represents a pivotal moment in the third year of a series created to honor one of America’s most influential presidents. Following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945, there was an overwhelming national sentiment to commemorate his legacy on United States coinage.

The dime was specifically chosen for this honor due to Roosevelt’s profound connection to the March of Dimes organization, which he helped establish in 1938 to combat polio, a disease that had afflicted him since 1921.

Less than a month after Roosevelt’s passing, legislation was introduced to replace the Mercury dime, which had been in circulation since 1916. Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock was tasked with designing the new coin, and production began in January 1946 at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.

By 1949, the Roosevelt Dime series had established itself in American commerce, though this particular year presented unique challenges. The nation was experiencing an economic recession from November 1948 through October 1949, resulting in high unemployment and decreased demand for new coinage across all denominations. This economic downturn directly impacted production numbers, particularly at the San Francisco Mint, which would produce significantly fewer dimes than in previous years.

Despite economic headwinds, 1949 marked an important technological advancement at the U.S. Mint. The installation of more powerful rollers quadrupled the output capacity for dime planchets, dramatically improving production efficiency. This modernization would prove crucial for meeting future coinage demands as the economy recovered.

Additionally, 1949 holds special significance as the final year before the Mint resumed Proof coin production, which had been suspended during World War II and remained halted through the immediate post-war period. This makes 1949 the last year of exclusively business-strike Roosevelt Dimes before collectors would again have access to specially struck proof examples beginning in 1950.

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

 

Is Your 1949 Dime Rare?

Your 1949 Dime could be one of the scarce San Francisco mintage or feature the valuable Full Bands designation worth hundreds of dollars. Don’t miss out—use our CoinValueChecker App to quickly assess your coin’s rarity and unlock its true collector value in seconds.

 

Key Features of The 1949 Dime

The 1949 Roosevelt Dime embodies Sinnock’s timeless design philosophy, balancing artistic elegance with practical functionality. Each design element carries profound symbolic meaning—from Roosevelt’s dignified profile to the torch of liberty flanked by branches of peace and strength.

The Obverse Of The 1949 Dime

The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, rendered with dignified simplicity and classical styling. The inscription “LIBERTY” arcs along the upper left rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in smaller letters beneath Roosevelt’s chin.

The date “1949” is positioned to the lower right of the neck truncation. Notably, Sinnock’s initials “JS” are located at the base of Roosevelt’s neck, slightly larger on 1949 issues than the original 1946 type. The 1949-S variety features “GOD” rendered in a sans serif font rather than the standard Trumpet Tail font used on other mintages.

The Reverse Of The 1949 Dime

The reverse design centers on a flaming torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by an olive branch on the left representing peace and an oak branch on the right signifying strength and independence. The national motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is divided into four segments around the central design, with centering dots separating each portion.

The legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim, while “ONE DIME” appears prominently at the bottom. The mint mark, when present, is positioned on the lower reverse to the left of the torch base—”S” for San Francisco or “D” for Denver, with Philadelphia issues bearing no mint mark.

Other Features Of The 1949 Dime

The 1949 Dime measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter and weighs 2.5 grams, with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper yielding 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. The edge features 118 reeds, a standard security element that prevents counterfeiting and coin clipping.

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

 

1949 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1949 Roosevelt Dime series recorded a combined mintage of approximately 70.48 million coins across all three facilities, represents one of the lowest annual production years in the silver Roosevelt Dime series. This significant reduction directly reflects the economic recession that impacted coinage demand throughout 1948-1949.

Philadelphia led production with 30.94 million pieces, followed by Denver at 26.03 million, while San Francisco produced just 13.51 million dimes—less than half of Philadelphia’s output. The San Francisco facility’s dramatically lower production explains its status as the series’ key date, with absolute scarcity driving consistent collector premiums.

Remarkably, the uniform 10% survival rate across all mints suggests similar circulation patterns and attrition rates. While Philadelphia retains the largest surviving population at 3.09 million pieces, the 1949-S commands significantly higher values despite 1.35 million survivors due to stronger collector demand for low-mintage issues.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1949 Dime Value

Determining your 1949 Dime’s value follows a simple three-step process. First, locate the mint mark on the reverse at the torch base, no mark indicates Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, and the valuable “S” for San Francisco.

Next, assess the coin’s condition. Circulated examples typically range from $4 to $7, while uncirculated specimens command $15 to $70 depending on grade. The 1949-S in mint state MS65 or higher realizes significantly higher premiums.

Finally, examine the torch bands under magnification. Coins displaying Full Bands (complete horizontal band separation) can be worth two to five times more than regular strikes.

The CoinValueChecker App instantly performs all three evaluations—simply photograph your coin for professional-grade identification, grade estimation, and current market valuation.

 

1949 Dime Value Guides

Having explored the historical context and market dynamics of 1949 Roosevelt Dimes, let’s examine each mint variety in detail. The three production facilities—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—each produced coins with distinct rarity levels and collector appeal that directly influence today’s market values.

1949 Dime Varieties:

• 1949 No Mint Mark Dime (Philadelphia)
• 1949-D Dime (Denver)
• 1949-S Dime (San Francisco)

 

1949 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1949 Roosevelt Dime struck at the Philadelphia Mint represents an often-overlooked collectible within the silver Roosevelt series. Distinguished by the absence of a mint mark on the reverse, this variety follows the long-standing Philadelphia tradition of leaving coins unmarked throughout the silver era from 1946 to 1964.

The presence or absence of Full Bands designation dramatically transforms value potential for high-grade examples. Auction records illustrate this premium vividly: a 1949 Philadelphia Dime graded MS68 without Full Bands realized $1,125 at eBay in January 2021, while an identical MS68 grade specimen with Full Bands achieved $13,200 at Stack’s Bowers in August 2018.

This nearly twelve-fold price difference demonstrates why collectors prioritize Full Bands examples, where complete separation of the torch’s horizontal bands indicates exceptional strike quality. The rarity of achieving both gem-level preservation and sharp strike details makes MS67+ FB examples particularly scarce, with only a small percentage of survivors qualifying for this coveted designation.

The chart below documents certified auction results for 1949 Philadelphia dimes at different levels.

Market activity trends reveal collector engagement patterns for this post-war Philadelphia coin.

 

1949-D Dime Value

The 1949-D Roosevelt Dime bearing the Denver mint mark represents a historically significant variety within the silver Roosevelt series. With a mintage of just 26,034,000 pieces, this issue ranks as the second-lowest production total from the Denver facility throughout the entire silver era (1946-1964), reflecting the economic recession that gripped the nation during this period.

Struck from 90% silver and 10% copper composition, the 1949-D displays a small “D” mint mark on the reverse to the left of the torch base. This distinctive marking identifies Denver production, distinguishing it from the higher-mintage Philadelphia and lower-mintage San Francisco varieties of the same year.

The presence of Full Bands designation significantly elevates value for high-grade examples, with MS67 FB specimens reaching around $3,000 dollars and MS68 FB pieces achieving auction prices exceeding $5,600. This makes the 1949-D an accessible entry point for collectors seeking Depression-era Roosevelt dimes with genuine numismatic significance beyond mere silver content.

Auction records for 1949-D dimes illustrate the premium collectors place on high-grade examples from Denver’s Roosevelt dime production.

The following market data tracks collector interest for 1949-D dimes throughout the certified coin marketplace.

 

1949-S Dime Value

The 1949-S Roosevelt Dime stands as the undisputed key date of the silver Roosevelt series, boasting the second-lowest mintage of any circulation strike variety at just 13,510,000 pieces.

While common Roosevelt dimes trade near silver melt value in worn grades, the 1949-S consistently realizes $5 to $10 in moderately circulated examples—approximately double the value of typical dates from this era.

The 1949-S becomes particularly valuable in mint state preservation. Recent auction records demonstrate the dramatic price escalation at top grades: an MS68+ specimen realized $3,000 in November 2022, while an MS68 FB example achieved $6,000 in December 2022.

Documented sales history provides insight into how 1949-S dimes perform at auction.

Market activity indicates that San Francisco-issued Roosevelt coins maintained an upward trend in the latter period.

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

 

Rare 1949 Dime Error List

1949 Roosevelt Dimes are primarily collected for their low mintage and Full Bands designation, several striking errors from this year command collector premiums.

1. Clipped Planchet Errors

Clipped planchet errors display a missing section of metal, typically curved or straight in appearance, caused by misfeeding during the blanking process. Curved clips form when blanking punches overlap previously punched holes in the metal strip, while straight clips occur when punches strike the strip’s leading edge.

These errors typically exhibit an elliptical or crescent-shaped missing area along the coin’s rim. 1949 clipped planchet dimes in mint state condition generally sell for $30 to $100 depending on clip size, with larger clips (20%+) commanding higher premiums than small edge clips.

2. Lamination Errors

Lamination flaws result from impurities or internal stresses in the planchet’s metal composition, causing the coin’s surface to peel, split, or separate into layers. These defects occur during planchet preparation when foreign materials become trapped between metal layers or when improper alloy mixing creates structural weaknesses.

Characteristic features include flaking surfaces, discoloration patches, or areas where metal layers have partially separated from the coin. Values range from $15 to $75 for 1949 dimes with visible lamination issues, with more dramatic peeling or splitting commanding higher prices.

3. Broadstrike Errors

Broadstrike errors occur when the collar die fails to contain the planchet during striking, allowing metal to flow beyond normal boundaries and creating an oversized, improperly shaped coin. The restraining collar that normally confines the planchet and creates the reeded edge malfunctions or is completely absent during the strike.

These coins display a characteristically smooth, plain edge instead of reeding, with design elements appearing “stretched” or expanded beyond normal dimensions.

1949 broadstrike Roosevelt Dimes typically trade for $25 to $60 in circulated condition, with uncirculated examples reaching $75 to $150.

 

Where to Sell Your 1949 Dime?

Finding the right buyer for your 1949 Dime can maximize your profit by hundreds of dollars. Explore our detailed guide comparing auction houses, dealer networks, and online platforms to make an informed selling decision.

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

 

1949 Dime Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about The 1949 Dime

1. What is a 1949 Dime worth?

Circulated 1949 Philadelphia and Denver dimes typically range from $4 to $7, while the scarcer 1949-S brings $7 to $15 in worn condition. Uncirculated examples command significantly higher premiums: $20 to $50 for Philadelphia/Denver issues and $30 to $70 for San Francisco.

Coins graded MS65 or higher, especially with Full Bands designation, can reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction depending on grade and eye appeal.

2. Are 1949 Dimes rare?

The 1949 Dime is not rare in absolute terms, with approximately 7 million survivors estimated across all three mints. However, it qualifies as a semi-key date within the Roosevelt series due to low original mintage and strong collector demand.

True rarity emerges in high grades—only about 80,000 1949-S examples survive in MS65 or better condition, representing less than 1% of the original mintage.

3. What does “Full Bands” (FB) mean on a 1949 Dime? 

Full Bands refer to complete separation and sharp definition of the horizontal bands wrapped around the torch on the coin’s reverse. This designation indicates exceptional strike quality, as most 1949 dimes show weak or merged bands due to die wear during production.

PCGS and NGC grading services added the FB designation in 2003, and coins meeting this standard typically sell for two to five times more than non-FB examples in equivalent grades.