A 1946 Roosevelt dime sold for $12,650 at Superior Galleries — graded MS-69 by PCGS. Most circulated examples sit near their silver melt value ($3–$4), but the gap between an ordinary coin and a Full Bands gem can be worth thousands. Find out exactly where yours falls.
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Go to Value Calculator →The Full Bands designation is the single biggest value driver for 1946 dimes. A 1946-D dime in MS-67 without FB is worth around $55 — with FB, it jumps to $400+. Use this tool to assess your own coin before sending it to PCGS or NGC.
Values below are based on PCGS Price Guide data and recent auction results. For a comprehensive illustrated walkthrough — including step-by-step photos of how to check each feature on your coin — see this detailed 1946 dime identification and value reference guide. Values are for problem-free, unaltered coins.
| Variety | Worn (G–VG) | Circulated (F–AU) | Uncirculated (MS-63) | Gem MS (MS-65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946-P (No Mark) | $3 – $4 | $3 – $5 | $5 | $18 – $75 |
| 1946-D | $3 – $4 | $3 – $5 | $9 | $22 – $55 |
| 1946-S | $3 – $4 | $3 – $5 | $10 | $18 – $100 |
| ★ 1946-P Full Bands (FB) | — | — | $12 (MS-63 FB) | $46 – $5,000+ |
| ★ 1946-D Full Bands (FB) | — | — | $12 (MS-63 FB) | $50 – $4,600+ |
| ★ 1946-S Full Bands (FB) | — | — | $14 (MS-63 FB) | $65 – $1,350+ |
| 🔴 1946-S Sans Serif MM (FS-504) | — | — | $210+ | $415 – $575+ |
| 1946-S/S RPM (FS-501/801 FB) | — | $20 – $41 | $41 – $295 | $295 – $2,500+ |
| 1946-D/D RPM (FS-502) | — | $70 – $100 | $70 – $120 | $100 – $995+ |
| DDO (FS-101–104) | $3 – $5 | $10 – $30 | $30 – $100 | $100 – $750+ |
★ = Full Bands highlighted rows. 🔴 = rarest named variety. Values approximate; certified coins command premiums over raw examples.
🪙 CoinHix lets you cross-check any of the values above by scanning your 1946 dime on the go — snap a photo and get an instant market estimate — a coin identifier and value app.
The 1946 Roosevelt dime — the very first year of the series — was produced under rushed conditions following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death in April 1945. Mint workers manually punched mint marks onto working dies using steel punches, while hub impressions transferred the design to working dies through the hubbing process. Both methods left room for misalignment and doubling. The result is a rich variety landscape spanning doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, and a unique sans-serif letter punch that remained undiscovered for decades. Here is a card-by-card breakdown of every major error and variety worth knowing.
The Full Bands designation is not a minting error but rather a strike quality indicator — the most important value driver in the entire Roosevelt dime series. The torch on the reverse features two sets of horizontal bands: one pair near the top and one pair near the base. Because the recessed areas of the die that form these bands wore quickly, most 1946 dimes received a weak, incomplete impression in this zone.
To identify Full Bands, examine both the upper and lower band pairs under a 10× loupe. Each pair must show a distinct recessed channel between the two parallel ridges — if the bands appear merged, flat, or bridged by die metal, the coin does not qualify. Even a single contact mark or strike weakness across the band area can disqualify an otherwise gem coin.
PCGS awards the FB designation only to MS-60 and above coins with uninterrupted band separation. NGC uses the stricter "Full Torch" (FT) standard, additionally requiring defined vertical torch lines. Because well-struck 1946 dimes are genuinely scarce, the value premium is enormous: a 1946-P MS-65 without FB is worth around $18, while an MS-65 FB commands approximately $46. The gulf widens at higher grades — MS-67 jumps from $75 to $250 with the FB designation.
In 1946, mint mark punches were applied manually to working dies using a hammer and steel letter punch. San Francisco used a standard serif-style "S" punch for the overwhelming majority of its dime dies — but on at least one die, a sans-serif "S" punch was used instead. This gives the mint mark on affected coins a distinctly different, angular appearance with no decorative cross-strokes at the letter terminals.
To identify the FS-504, examine the mint mark on the reverse under 5–10× magnification. A normal 1946-S mint mark shows small horizontal serifs — tiny horizontal bars — at the ends of the S curve. On the FS-504 variety, the S ends are clean and angular with no serifs at all. The difference is unmistakable once you have seen both versions side by side.
This variety was formally attributed and catalogued as PCGS FS-504. Greysheet values it at $210–$550 in uncirculated grades, rising to $415–$575 with the Full Bands designation. Because most collectors overlook the mint mark punch style, original, unattributed examples still surface in collections and dealer inventories — making it genuinely findable for an attentive collector.
Doubled die errors occur during the hub-to-die transfer process: if the working die shifts slightly between successive hubbing impressions, the design is duplicated at a slight offset. PCGS recognizes four obverse doubled die varieties for the 1946 Philadelphia dime (FS-101 through FS-104), with FS-101 being the most dramatic because it shows doubling on both the obverse and the reverse simultaneously — making it a combined DDO/DDR variety also catalogued as DDR FS-803.
On the obverse, look for a ghost second image — most clearly visible on "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," the portrait's ear and cheek contour, and the "JS" designer initials below the portrait's truncation. The doubling on FS-101 is strong enough to detect with naked-eye examination, and even stronger under a loupe. On the reverse, the inscriptions "AMERICA," "UNUM," and "DIME" also show doubled outlines.
Even circulated examples of DDO varieties command premiums of $10–$30 over melt value, and high-grade uncirculated examples have sold for $720–$750 at auction. The FS-101 variety is the most sought-after because of its combined obverse and reverse doubling, which provides multiple diagnostic points and makes it the most visually convincing piece to show other collectors.
In 1946, mintmarks were manually applied to each working die individually, using a steel punch struck with a hammer. When the punch landed off-center or at an incorrect angle, the mint worker would strike again, leaving a second partial impression alongside the first. San Francisco produced at least five recognized repunched mintmark varieties (FS-501 through FS-505), with FS-501 being the most valuable — particularly in combination with a Doubled Die Reverse (also catalogued as DDR FS-801).
The FS-501 variety shows a bold secondary S impression clearly visible above or offset from the primary S, making it identifiable even without high-power magnification. The combined RPM+DDR version of FS-501/FS-801 is particularly prized because it exhibits two distinct die anomalies on a single coin, giving specialist collectors a double confirmation of variety attribution.
Market performance for this variety is robust: a 1946-S/S MS-68 FB sold for $2,760 in 2020, and Greysheet values the FS-501/801 FB combination at $41–$2,500 depending on grade. The non-FB version is also collectible in its own right at $20–$295. Denver coins similarly carry three RPM varieties (D/D FS-501 through FS-503), with a D/D MS-67 FB reaching $995 at auction in 2021.
A broadstruck error occurs when the retaining collar that normally constrains the coin's diameter either fails or separates prematurely during the strike. Without the collar to hold the planchet in place, the metal expands outward as the dies come together, producing a coin with a larger-than-normal diameter, a flattened or absent rim, and sometimes a slightly distorted design. A broadstruck 1946 dime retains its correct 90% silver composition but is visibly larger and thinner than a normal specimen.
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is not properly seated between the dies at the moment of striking. The degree of off-center is measured as a percentage of the coin's diameter: a 10% off-center shows a partial rim missing on one side, while a 50% off-center shows only half the design. For Roosevelt dimes, examples with significant off-center percentages that still show a readable date are most collectible.
Broadstruck 1946 dimes in mint state condition have sold for approximately $100 at auction, while significant off-center strikes showing most of the design command premiums ranging up to several hundred dollars. An MS-67 FB broadstruck example was documented selling for $84 in 2021. These are mechanical mint errors — not die varieties — and do not require a loupe to identify, making them accessible to beginning collectors.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None (P) | 255,250,000 | Highest mintage of the three; 4th highest in the entire series |
| Denver | D | 61,043,500 | First Denver Roosevelt dime; strongest FB premiums in the series |
| San Francisco | S | 27,900,000 | Lowest mintage of the three; hosts the most named die varieties |
| Total (all mints) | — | 344,193,500 | First year of the Roosevelt dime series |
Condition determines the majority of a 1946 dime's numismatic value. Use this visual guide to identify your coin's approximate grade before consulting PCGS or NGC.
Roosevelt's cheekbone, jaw, and hair above the ear are flat from circulation wear. The torch flame details are lost. Rim is intact but may show minor nicks. These coins are worth their silver melt value of approximately $3–$4.
Hair strands above the ear begin to show, torch outline is clear but bands are merged. Fine: major design elements readable. AU: high points lightly rubbed with remaining luster in protected areas. Values: $3–$5 depending on grade.
No wear anywhere. Cartwheel luster spins under a single light source. Contact marks visible in fields under magnification. MS-63: moderate marks. MS-65: few light marks, good eye appeal. Key question: do the torch bands separate? That determines FB eligibility.
Exceptional surfaces with only minor imperfections. MS-67: rare — PCGS estimates only 150–250 exist for 1946-P. MS-68: extremely scarce, single PCGS example known for 1946-P. Premium exponentially higher with Full Bands. Target value range: $18 to $5,000+ depending on mint and FB status.
🔍 CoinHix helps you match your 1946 dime's surfaces against graded examples — photograph your coin and compare it to certified specimens side by side — a coin identifier and value app.
The right venue depends on your coin's grade and whether it's certified. Here's a frank breakdown of each option.
Best for certified MS-67+ and FB coins where competition between registry set collectors drives prices to their ceiling. Heritage is the largest rare coin auctioneer by volume. Expect 15–20% buyer's premium. Most suitable for coins worth $200 or more — lower-value coins don't justify the setup time.
Excellent reach for mid-range coins ($20–$200). Check recently sold prices for 1946 Roosevelt dimes on eBay to set a realistic starting bid. Use auction format for errors and varieties — buyer competition often pushes prices above fixed-price listings. Always photograph the torch bands if your coin is uncirculated.
Fast and convenient for bulk silver lots or circulated coins near melt. A dealer will pay 70–80% of retail to maintain profit margin. Bring multiple coins at once to negotiate better. For circulated 1946 dimes in worn condition, a local dealer buying at silver spot is often the most efficient path.
The r/CoinSales subreddit allows direct peer-to-peer transactions with knowledgeable buyers. Good for raw (ungraded) error coins in the $50–$300 range where you want to avoid auction fees. Post clear macro photos of the torch bands and mint mark. Buyers here understand Full Bands and will pay accordingly.
If your 1946 dime appears to have Full Bands, a Doubled Die variety, or an S Sans Serif mintmark, professional certification is almost always worth the cost. PCGS and NGC grading fees start around $30–$50. The FB or FT designation alone can add $50–$500+ to your coin's realized price. A certified MS-67 FB 1946-D dime is worth $400+ vs $55 without — the certification fee pays for itself many times over.