How to Integrate PCGS Doily Samples into Your Master Type Set: The Roosevelt Dime Question Answered

Building a type set is the ultimate journey through history. Let’s look at the best way to represent this design in your collection. As a type set collector, my goal is never merely to own a bunch of coins; my goal is to capture the essence of a specific design across its various iterations, mintages, and die states. When it comes to the beloved Roosevelt dime, the challenge lies in capturing the full spectrum of this iconic design—from the original 1946 obverse to the modern 2019 reverse—while also honoring the unique, experimental variations that make this series so fascinating. One such variation that frequently pops up in the numismatic community is the PCGS Doily Sample.

In our recent forum discussions, collectors debated a pressing question: Were Roosevelt Dimes the only coins used for the PCGS Doily Sample program? The answer, as confirmed by PCGS officials and slabbed coin experts, is a resounding yes. There are no Mercury Dimes or any other denominations involved. This realization opens up a fascinating chapter in the history of American coinage and provides a unique lens through which to view building a master type set centered around the Roosevelt dime.

### The Roosevelt Dime Type Set: A Cornerstone of Numismatic History

Before diving into the specifics of the PCGS Doily Sample, we must first understand the foundation of the Roosevelt dime type set. Introduced in 1946 to replace the Mercury dime, the Roosevelt dime was designed by portrait artist Adolph A. Weinman. It features a uniquely American profile—a left-facing portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, flanked by fasces and olive branches.

For the type set collector, assembling a complete set of Roosevelt dimes means acquiring examples from every significant mintage year and mintmark. This typically includes:
* **1946:** The original mintage, featuring the “Full Count” reverse.
* **1946-D & 1946-P:** The Philadelphia and Denver mintings, which often carry subtle die variations.
* **1952-D, 1953-D, 1955-D, 1957-D:** The early Denver issues, some of which exhibit interesting die cracking and planchet anomalies.
* **1961-D & 1961-P:** The transitional issues from the West Point facility.
* **1964-D:** The final mintage before the silver composition was abandoned, featuring the famous “1-dollar” reverse.

When I examine a complete type set, I am not just looking at a timeline; I am looking at the evolution of American monetary policy, the transition from silver to base metals, and the shifting aesthetic sensibilities of American coin designers. However, a true type set also acknowledges the experimental and anomalous strikes that occasionally grace the marketplace. This is where the PCGS Doily Sample comes into play.

### Unpacking the PCGS Doily Sample: More Than Just a Rim

To understand the PCGS Doily Sample, we must first understand what a “doily” actually is in numismatic terms. A doily is an unusually thick, raised rim that appears around the perimeter of a coin. While most modern U.S. coins feature a relatively standard rim, certain die states and minting processes can produce a pronounced rim. In the case of the PCGS Doily Sample program, the rims are so pronounced they create a distinct visual separation between the coin’s surface and the surrounding blank.

As forumite @nencoin astutely noted, “A quick look at around 165 eBay listings via Worthpoint, and every single PCGS Doily Sample was a Roosevelt dime.” This observation was later corroborated by David Schwager of the Slab Collectors Society, who confirmed that all PCGS doily samples consist exclusively of Roosevelt dimes, primarily the 1964-D, though occasionally other 1957 to 1964 dates appear. There are absolutely no Mercury dimes in the PCGS doily sample run.

For the type set collector, the PCGS Doily Sample represents a rare, high-value variant that serves as the “capstone” or the ultimate proof of the Roosevelt dime’s striking power. Because the doily rim is so distinct, it acts as a definitive marker of a specific die state, making it highly desirable for those looking to complete their type set with a specimen that stands out visually from the standard circulated or uncirculated coins.

### Organizing Your Collection: The Role of Dansco Albums

When building a type set, especially one that includes premium slabbed specimens like the PCGS Doily Sample, organization is paramount. This is where Dansco albums become an indispensable tool for the serious collector.

Dansco albums are legendary in the numismatic world for their durability and organizational capabilities. Unlike flimsy cardboard binders that yellow and warp over time, Dansco albums are built to last, featuring heavy-duty inserts that prevent coins from sticking together and provide a stable environment for high-grade specimens.

When integrating a PCGS Doily Sample into your type set, a Dansco album offers several critical advantages:
1. **Protection for Premium Specimens:** The PCGS Doily Sample commands a significant premium, and you want to ensure it remains pristine. Dansco’s individual plastic page holders provide a secure resting place, preventing the coin from sitting flat against other potentially abrasive surfaces.
2. **Die State Tracking:** Dansco albums often come with specialized pages designed to track specific die states (VAMs) or mintmarks. You can dedicate specific pages to your 1964-D doily samples, ensuring you have a dedicated space to record the PCGS slab number, certification number, and any relevant provenance.
3. **Display Versatility:** A Dansco album allows you to flip through your type set seamlessly, viewing the stark contrast between a standard MS69 Roosevelt dime and a PR70 Deep Cameo doily sample side-by-side.

If you are using a standard album, ensure you are using high-quality Mylar or polypropylene pages. Never use cardboard pages, as the acidic nature of cardboard can slowly degrade the coin’s luster over decades. For the PCGS Doily Sample, which features an extra-thick rim, you must ensure the page material does not create friction that could scratch or abrade the delicate rim during insertion.

### Choosing the Best Strike: The Art of the Type Set

In type collecting, “strike quality” is everything. A coin that grades highly may still lack the sharp, crisp details necessary to justify a premium price in the eyes of a discerning collector. When evaluating the PCGS Doily Sample for your type set, you must look beyond just the presence of the rim and assess the overall strike quality.

What makes a strike “best” for a type set? It is the combination of sharpness, detail preservation, and strong contrast. When examining a Roosevelt dime doily sample, I look for the following characteristics:
* **Portrait Crispness:** The facial features of President Roosevelt must be sharply defined, with clear lines for the nose, lips, and eye sockets.
* **Fasces and Olive Branches:** The wreath surrounding the portrait should be rendered with deep, clear lines, showing the intricate details of the olive leaves and the bundled rods of the fasces.
* **Rim Definition:** The doily rim itself must be clean and unbroken. If the rim is uneven or chipped, it detracts from the specimen’s value.
* **Planchet Quality:** The blank from which the coin was struck should be free of major defects, ensuring that all the detail is preserved from the metal itself, not just artificially enhanced by the die.

By focusing on these elements, you can confidently select the “best strike” for your type set. A doily sample with a weak strike might sell for a fraction of the price of one with exceptional detail. As a collector, always prioritize coins where the design elements pop off the surface of the coin.

### Budget vs. High-End Type Collecting: Navigating the Premium Market

One of the most heated debates in modern numismatics is whether to pursue a budget-friendly type set or invest heavily in high-end specimens to create a museum-quality display. The forum discussion highlighted a stark price discrepancy regarding the PCGS Doily Sample: while PCGS lists typical slabbed Roosevelt dimes in the $25 to $29 range, actual sales records reveal that a single PCGS doily Roosevelt sample sold for $450, with eBay listings showing prices upwards of $400+.

This massive price gap creates a classic dilemma for the type set builder: where do you draw the line?

**The Budget Approach**
If your primary goal is to assemble a complete, historically accurate type set without breaking the bank, the budget approach is highly viable. You can acquire top-tier Roosevelt dimes (MS69 or PR70 Deep Cameo) for roughly $25 to $50 each. By purchasing several standard specimens, you can build a robust, high-quality type set that tells the story of the Roosevelt dime without requiring exorbitant investments.

However, the budget approach means missing out on the unique, anomalous variants that elevate a collection from a simple record to a curated gallery. The PCGS Doily Sample is the ultimate anomaly, and skipping it entirely might leave your type set feeling incomplete from a numismatic perspective.

**The High-End Approach**
On the flip side, the high-end approach allows you to curate a truly exclusive type set. By investing in PCGS slabbed doily samples, you are securing a piece of numismatic history that few collectors possess. These specimens serve as the crown jewels of your collection, drawing the eye of any visitor and sparking conversations about the experimental minting processes of the mid-20th century.

My recommendation as a type set collector is to adopt a hybrid approach. Build a solid foundation of standard high-grade Roosevelt dimes to complete the chronological narrative of the series. Then, selectively invest in the PCGS Doily Sample—perhaps just one or two—to act as the visual anchor and premium proof of the type. This strategy ensures you aren’t overpaying for a single anomaly while still achieving the ultimate goal of a comprehensive, historically resonant collection.

### Actionable Takeaways for the Collector

If you are looking to integrate PCGS Doily Samples into your master type set, consider the following actionable steps:
1. **Verify the PCGS Slab:** Always insist on buying PCGS slabbed specimens. The slab provides authentication, encapsulation, and a universally recognized grading standard. Never buy raw or unslabbed doily samples unless you are an experienced dealer with access to PCGSslabbed stock.
2. **Check the Mint Mark:** Since the forum discussion confirmed that only Roosevelt dimes are used, pay close attention to the mint mark. Most doily samples are 1964-D, but occasionally 1957-D or other dates appear. Ensure the mint mark matches your type set requirements.
3. **Inspect the Rim Integrity:** Before purchasing, hold the coin to the light. A true doily sample will have a clean, thick rim that wraps smoothly around the edge. Check for any bumps, nicks, or weak spots on the rim, as these can significantly impact the coin’s value.
4. **Utilize Dansco Albums Properly:** When storing your collection, use high-quality Dansco page protectors. Ensure the pages are made of acid-free materials to preserve the luster of your premium specimens for future generations.
5. **Budget Wisely:** Allocate a specific portion of your numismatic budget for premium specimens like the doily sample. Do not let the fear of spending too much money prevent you from acquiring the very variant that completes your type set’s narrative.

### Conclusion: The Legacy of the Roosevelt Dime

Building a type set is much more than a hobby; it is a journey through time, capturing the evolution of a nation’s currency and the artistry of its minting masters. The Roosevelt dime, with its elegant design and rich history, is the perfect subject for this endeavor.

The PCGS Doily Sample adds a thrilling layer of complexity to this already fascinating series. As we have seen from the forum discussions, the doily samples are exclusively Roosevelt dimes, primarily the 1964-D, with occasional appearances from other years. For the type set collector, these specimens represent the pinnacle of the Roosevelt dime’s striking power—a unique, experimental rim that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.

Whether you choose to build your type set on a budget of standard high-grade specimens, or invest heavily in the premium PCGS Doily Samples, the goal remains the same: to possess a comprehensive, historically accurate representation of this iconic American design. By utilizing Dansco albums for secure storage, meticulously selecting the best strike for each piece, and navigating the premium market with confidence, you will undoubtedly forge a type set that stands the test of time and numismatic scrutiny. The Roosevelt dime is not just a coin; it is a legacy, and the PCGS Doily Sample is the gem that crowns it.

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