
The value of a United States silver dime is primarily determined by its intrinsic metallic content, which is directly tied to the fluctuating spot price of silver. The provided context indicates that dimes minted in or before 1964 possess this silver content. Specifically, Roosevelt dimes produced from 1946 to 1964 and Mercury dimes minted from 1916 to 1945 are composed of 90% silver.
According to the data, each of these 90% silver dimes contains a total silver weight of 0.0723 troy ounces. The value of this silver, often referred to as the coin's melt value, can be calculated based on the current market price for silver. Based on a silver spot price of $25.06 per troy ounce, the melt value for a single Roosevelt or Mercury silver dime is approximately $1.81.
It is crucial to recognize that this figure represents the baseline value derived solely from the coin's silver content. The actual market value of a specific dime can be higher, depending on its numismatic or collectible value. Factors such as the coin's year of issue, mint mark, and physical condition can significantly increase its worth to collectors, far exceeding the base melt value. Therefore, the $1.81 figure reflects the current intrinsic worth rather than the full potential numismatic value.


