My Purr-fectly Lucky Coin Haul: When Silver Half Dollars Landed in My Lap
June 27, 2025Been Awhile for Silver: My Exciting Coin Roll Hunting Finds and Insights
June 27, 2025
I’ve been collecting coins for years, and recently hit a milestone—my nickel album’s nearly full! That got me thinking: why not shift gears to Roosevelt dimes? I’ve always wanted to shout “it’s dime time!” Now, with a fresh dime album ready, I’m excited to start filling it purely for the joy of it. While dimes don’t turn up as often as other coins, that scarcity makes the hunt more rewarding. Fewer folks seem to chase them, which adds to the thrill.
Why Dimes Captured My Interest
After years focused on nickels, Roosevelt dimes feel like a fresh adventure. They’ve got such a rich story behind them. Jefferson nickels are everywhere in circulation, but Roosevelt dimes? That’s a different ballgame. Since silver hoarders snatched up most pre-1965 dimes, finding them today feels like solving a puzzle. I love how it sharpens my eyes—especially since I’ve already completed a silver set and want to keep that energy going with modern issues.
What I’m Saving These Days
As I sort through rolls, jars, and dealer bins, I’ve got my radar set for specific Roosevelt dimes. Here’s what lands in my keeper pile:
- Any non-Roosevelt dime—I stash these automatically for variety or surprises
- Silver dimes from 1946 to 1964—always worth their weight in history
- The elusive 1996-W—super rare and never meant for circulation
- 2009-P and 2009-D—tough finds with their low mintages
- 2024-P and 2024-D—already snagged a few in change!
- Proofs and errors—quirky additions that spark conversations
Got tips on other overlooked dates? I’m all ears!
Thoughts on Rarities and Condition
That 1996-W dime? It’s the holy grail for a reason—so scarce I had one slabbed by NGC to protect it. Grading key dates like this really matters. The 2009s are sleepers too; they’re drying up fast, something I noticed when I sold a 2007-P dime from my own hunting years back. Modern dimes often show fascinating flaws like die chips or cuds from overused dies. While these errors might not command huge premiums, spotting them feels like finding hidden treasure.
Hunting Tips from the Trenches
Roll hunting remains my favorite approach, but dimes demand patience. Bank rolls or bulk buys boost your odds of scoring silver or low-mintage pieces. When checking coins, always examine the edges first—silver shows itself there. Grab a loupe too; modern dimes often have cool errors that turn routine searches into detective work. Albums keep me organized and prevent doubles. Fair warning: building a circulated Roosevelt set is tougher than it looks thanks to silver hoarders, but that makes each discovery sweeter.
Where My Collection’s Headed
My immediate goal? Fill that Roosevelt album while hunting upgrades—maybe swapping raw finds for graded coins when worthwhile. I’m itching to find more 1996-W dimes for my type sets. With 2024 dimes just appearing in change, the timing couldn’t be better. This isn’t just about completing pages; it’s about the shared excitement when you show fellow collectors what you’ve found. Here’s to making “dime time” another great chapter in my collecting story!
