1956 Roosevelt Dime

1956 was busy for the United States Mint, which struck billions of coins that year – including more than 200 million Roosevelt dimes. The dime had been highly popular since its 1946 release, and the coin, now fairly well into its second decade of production was beginning to rapidly eclipse in circulation the coin it succeeded, the Mercury dime.

The Roosevelt dime features a bust of the 32nd president on the obverse and several elements on the reverse; these include a fully lit torch that symbolizes Liberty, an oak branch that signifies strength and independence, and an olive branch that represents peace. John R. Sinnock designed the coin. If that name sounds familiar, its because he also was the artistic mind behind the Franklin half dollar which in 1956 was already more than midway through its 16-year run. 

What follows is an at-a-glance look at mintage figures for the 1956 Roosevelt dime:

• 1956 – 108,640,000; $3

• 1956-D – 108,015,100; $3

• 1956 proof – 669,384; $10

*Values are for coins in a grade of Extremely Fine 40, unless otherwise noted.

Proof 1956 dimes are substantially scarcer than their regular-issue counterparts from that year. However, 1956 actually had the highest production of U.S. proof coinage up to that time, and the high mintage figures of proofs is reflected in lower prices than for any of the preceding proof coins.