The 1967 Roosevelt Dime: A Collector‘s Guide to Value and Varieties

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As a coin collector and numismatic expert, I‘ve always found Roosevelt dimes to be a fascinating and accessible series. Struck from 1946 to the present, they offer both vintage appeal and modern affordability. The 1967 Roosevelt dime, in particular, presents some intriguing collecting opportunities. While considered a common date, it has a few notable varieties and errors that can be quite valuable.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the 1967 dime, examining its history, production, and varieties in detail. I‘ll share insights gleaned from decades in the hobby to help you understand the coin‘s value and how to build a strong collection. Whether you‘re just starting out or a seasoned pro, there‘s always more to learn about this intriguing ten-cent piece. Let‘s get started!

History and Background

First, a little context. The Roosevelt dime debuted in 1946, the year after President Franklin D. Roosevelt‘s death. Roosevelt had been a strong supporter of the March of Dimes charity and its fight against polio. In honor of his legacy, the U.S. Mint replaced the "Mercury" dime design with a portrait of FDR.

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock created the new design, which features a left-facing profile of Roosevelt on the obverse. The reverse depicts a torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by olive and oak branches representing peace and strength. Inscriptions include "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "ONE DIME," and the date.

Roosevelt dimes were initially struck in a 90% silver composition. However, due to rising silver prices, the Mint transitioned to a copper-nickel clad composition partway through 1965. 1965-2023 Roosevelt dimes have a pure copper core clad in an outer layer of 75% copper, 25% nickel. The transition was seamless, with no change to the coin‘s diameter, weight, or edge reeding.

1967 Dime Mintages and Specifications

The Philadelphia and Denver Mints struck a combined total of over 2.2 billion Roosevelt dimes in 1967. Philadelphia produced 1,525,535,500 coins, while Denver contributed 708,640,100 pieces. With such large mintages, the 1967 is considered a common date in the series.

Here are the key specifications for the 1967 Roosevelt dime:

  • Composition: Copper-nickel clad (91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni)
  • Diameter: 17.91 mm
  • Weight: 2.268 grams (0.08 oz)
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Designer: John R. Sinnock

All 1967 dimes should weigh 2.268 grams, have a reeded edge, and not stick to a magnet. If you find one that doesn‘t match these specs, it‘s likely either an error, altered, or counterfeit.

Varieties and Errors

Variety and error collectors will find some intriguing pieces among 1967 dimes. The two most important varieties are:

  1. 1967 Special Mint Set (SMS) Dime: From 1965-1967, the San Francisco Mint produced Special Mint Sets instead of regular proof sets. These coins have a unique satin finish that differs from the cameo contrast seen on typical proofs. 1967 SMS dimes were only included in Special Mint Sets and not released individually. The San Francisco Mint struck 1,863,344 SMS dimes in 1967, all without mint marks. They‘re considerably scarcer than the regular circulation strikes.

  2. 1967 No Mint Mark vs 1967-D: Philadelphia struck dimes lack a mint mark, while Denver coins show a small "D" above the date. Although both are common, Philadelphia mintages were over twice as high as Denver‘s. 1967-D dimes are thus slightly less abundant.

In terms of errors, there are a few dramatic pieces known, like off-center strikes and partial collar errors. An impressive 1967 dime struck 50% off-center sold for $1,762.50 in a 2010 Heritage auction. More minor errors like die cracks, doubled dies, and struck throughs can also be found with diligent searching.

Condition and Grading

As with all coins, condition plays a critical role in determining a 1967 dime‘s value. Examples in lower circulated grades from Good (G-4) up to Extremely Fine (EF-40) are still essentially worth face value. Most pieces in circulation fall into this range.

To command a premium, a 1967 Roosevelt dime must be uncirculated. The difference between a low-end uncirculated coin and gem can be significant. Mint State (MS) coins are graded numerically from 60 to 70, with 70 being flawless. The higher the grade, the more valuable the coin.

Grading services like PCGS and NGC use the Sheldon scale to assign grades:

  • MS-60: No wear, may show many heavy marks/hairlines, dull luster
  • MS-61: Moderate marks/hairlines, slightly impaired luster
  • MS-62: Moderate marks/hairlines, average luster
  • MS-63: Moderate marks/hairlines, above average luster
  • MS-64: Few marks/hairlines, good luster
  • MS-65: Minor marks/hairlines, very good luster
  • MS-66: Few light marks/hairlines, exceptional luster
  • MS-67: Virtually as struck with 1-2 light marks/hairlines, exceptional eye appeal
  • MS-68: Virtually flawless, extraordinary eye appeal
  • MS-69: Nearly perfect, minuscule imperfections visible only under magnification
  • MS-70: Absolute perfection, as struck

When buying uncirculated 1967 dimes, I recommend purchasing certified MS66+ pieces. They‘ll have excellent eye appeal and luster without distracting marks. Avoid coins with heavy contact marks or "bag marks" from rolling around with other dimes.

Current Market Values

Determining what a 1967 Roosevelt dime is worth requires consulting multiple sources. The value depends on the coin‘s variety, condition, and eye appeal.

For widely traded dates like 1967, price guides offer a good starting point. According to the PCGS CoinFacts price guide (as of July 2023), here are some representative values:

Variety Good (G-4) Extremely Fine (EF-40) MS-63 MS-65 MS-67
1967 (P) $0.10 $0.10 $0.75 $4.00 $45
1967-D $0.10 $0.10 $1.00 $6.00 $50
1967 SMS N/A N/A $15 $34 $145

As you can see, circulated examples are only worth face value. Coins graded below MS-63 also sell for very little over melt value. Premiums start rising in MS-65 and become significant in superb gem grades like MS-67.

The SMS coins are much scarcer than the business strikes across all grades. Expect to pay at least $15-20 for a basic uncirculated example. Gems are quite rare, with PCGS reporting only 79 graded MS-67 and a single MS-68 with none finer.

The auction record for a 1967 dime is $4,465 for a PCGS MS68FB (Full Bands) specimen sold in 2015. The "FB" designation indicates full separation in the bands tying the torch on the reverse – an important strike characteristic for serious Roosevelt dime collectors.

Of course, major errors and varieties can also bring big money when they come up for auction. Heritage sold a unique 1967 "Struck on a Nail" mint error in 2007 for $8,050. But these are very rare exceptions.

Expert Collecting Tips

So what‘s the best way to approach collecting 1967 Roosevelt dimes? I recommend starting with a nice type example in MS-66 or MS-67. Look for a coin with a clean cheek on Roosevelt, blazing luster, and no distracting marks or toning. A high-end SMS dime would also make an excellent addition for variety.

If you‘re an error collector, be patient in your search. 1967 dimes with spectacular errors are few and far between. Minor die breaks, repunched mint marks, and struck throughs are more likely finds. Check your pocket change and bank rolls diligently – you never know what might turn up!

In terms of investing, I believe 1967 Roosevelt dimes in superb gem grades will appreciate well over time. The registry set boom has created fierce competition for pop-top examples. Buy the absolute best you can afford, as ultra-high-grade specimens can multiply in value.

Finally, don‘t forget to attribute your coins. A 1967 SMS dime in MS-68 is exponentially more valuable than a regular MS-68 dime. Make sure you know what you have! When in doubt, send your coins to PCGS or NGC for certification.

Fun Facts

We‘ll close out with some entertaining trivia about the 1967 Roosevelt dime:

  • All 1967 dimes are clad and contain no silver. If you find a 1967 silver dime, it‘s been plated or altered after the fact.
  • The Denver Mint used 177 die pairs to strike all 708 million 1967-D dimes. That‘s over 4 million coins per die pair!
  • Each 1967 SMS coin was carefully struck using specially polished dies to create its unique finish. This process was very labor-intensive compared to regular dime production.
  • Someone discovered a 1967 dime struck on a nail back in 2007. This remains one of the most dramatic and valuable Roosevelt dime mint errors. It last sold at auction for $8,050!
  • A bag of 5,000 uncirculated 1967 Roosevelt dimes sold for just $100 back in 1986 according to an old copy of Coin World. If only we could go back in time!

So there you have it – the 1967 Roosevelt dime in exquisite detail. I hope you‘ve enjoyed learning more about this fascinating coin. While it may never be a key date, it offers some exciting opportunities for the sharp-eyed collector. Study up, buy smart, and have fun in your collecting journey!

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