The Old Roosevelt Dime: The "Dollar" Coin of the 1960's

It can be a challenge photographing some coins and this tiny wonder is no exception. From a distance, it looks almost prestine, but up close, all sorts of scuffs and blemishes show up.

This is a 90% silver Roosevelt Dime in (almost) uncirculated condition.

One of the beauties of the collection set that's newly discovered in my treasure box.

The obverse and reverse of this time has not changed from it's silver original, making it look identical to it's nearly worthless modern version. What's a dollar anymore... and what's 1/10th of a dollar anymore!

But this silver gem contains about $2.20 USD of silver, making it 22X it's original MSRP of $0.10. If someone was told this in 1960, they'd assume that by 2025 the entire economy had collapsed. But no, we're still chugging along with our paper and our dross.

The more precise "melt value" of a silver dime is more like $2.2035. Not that it's legal to melt these, and why would we, there is numismatic value over it's melt value.

I consulted with ChaptGPT for a quick overview of what this coin is worth. Information that used to require thumbing through a Red Book, now can be found with a 5 second search online.

This dime could probably sell around $5.00 or so, maybe more. That makes this coin 50X it's original MSRP.

Factoring in inflation, a dime had the modern buying power of about $1.00. Makes sense, since the old "Dollar Store" was called "Five and Dime", meaning everything there was sold for nickles and dimes. That would be the equivalent to a $0.50 - $1.00 Store.

Instead, we get the $1.25 Store (Dollar Tree) and the $5.00 Store (Five Bellow). These days, a $5-$10-$25 store could open and do great business. It's called WALLMART!

I ask ChatGPT for some examples of what could be purchased at a "Dime Store" in 1960.

It really looks like a modern "Dollar Store".

Nothing extremely expensive, but things you would buy for a about a dollar.

I still buy my children basic toys from the Dollar Store.

The "Dollar Store" of the 1960 accepted small silver coins for payment.

Looking at the past helps us understand the future. 65 years from now, what sort of economy will we have? Will there be an economy at all? Will we return to precious metals? Will we use only digital credits and no physical money? Will it be better? Will it be worse?

What do you think the economy will look like in 65 years? What will silver be worth in 65 years?

Posted Using INLEO