1. Introduction

The coin in question is the One Dime (10 cents) issued by the United States Mint in 1965. It belongs to the Roosevelt Dime series, featuring President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s bust on the obverse and, on the reverse, a torch flanked by olive and oak branches.

2. Historical Context and Importance

• Until 1964, U.S. dimes were made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
• In 1965, a major change occurred: the Coinage Act of 1965 allowed dimes to be made without silver, replacing them with more economical metal alloys, as the price of silver had risen significantly.
• Thus, the 1965 dime marks the beginning of the “clad” era—the first year dimes were produced without silver, using copper-nickel layers.
• Another detail: in 1965, there is no mint mark; coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a “P” or other designation.

3. Technical Specifications

• Denomination: 10 cents (0.10 USD)
• Series: Roosevelt Dime
• Year: 1965
• Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
• Mintage: approximately 1,652,140,570 coins
• Diameter: ~17.91 mm
• Weight: ~2.268 g
• Thickness: ~1.35 mm
• Edge: Reeded (118 reeds)
• Composition: “Clad”—pure copper core with outer layers of 75% copper / 25% nickel
• Designer: John R. Sinnock (“JS” initials on the bust)

Design details:

• Obverse: Roosevelt’s profile facing left; “LIBERTY” on the left; “IN GOD WE TRUST” near the bust; date “1965” on the right.
• Reverse: Central torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by an olive branch (peace) on the left and oak branch (strength) on the right; “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top; “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the base; “ONE DIME” at the bottom.

4. Numismatic Value

Circulation Value

• Most 1965 dimes are common and made of base metals, so their circulation value is close to face value, around $0.10 to $0.35.

Collector Value

• Uncirculated or mint state coins (MS) can be worth several dollars:
  • MS‑60: $0.30–$1.00
  • MS‑65: $1.50–$5.00
• Rare examples, varieties, or error coins can fetch hundreds of dollars.

Factors affecting value:

• Condition (higher grades = higher value)
• Rarity (common coin, but certain errors are rare)
• Varieties and minting errors (some coins accidentally struck on leftover silver planchets from 1964 are extremely rare)
• Certification by organizations like PCGS or NGC increases value

5. Special Notes

• Although 1965 dimes are clad, rare error coins exist from accidental silver planchets.
• Many coins are worn due to circulation, which reduces collector value.
• Coins in excellent condition may be worth submitting for grading.
• The intrinsic metal value is low; collector value comes from condition, rarity, or special errors.

6. Conclusion

The 1965 Roosevelt dime represents a significant milestone in U.S. numismatics: the first dime without silver, reflecting economic and technological changes of the era. For most collectors, it is common, but high-grade specimens or rare varieties can have interesting value.