Collecting Roosevelt Dimes

Neglected coins today may be hot in a few years. Anything that is silver and has stopped being minted should increase in value. You notice you don't see Franklin half dollars in circulation and they are the red headed stepchild of half dollars. I know they minted millions of them but where are they now? They are being horded for the day.

I'm as guilty as you. I own many more Flying Liberty dimes (Mercs) than silver Roosevelts. Love my Mercuries and barely pay attention to the 1946-present set.

Two reasons. I love the more complex design of the Merc.

and

When I began my dime collection in 1959 Roosies were common but Mercs going out of circulation and were special to find, especially from before 1930. I would go to the bank near my school at lunch time with a five dollar bill and about fifty cents in change and buy and roll, search it, and return it to the teller and get another one. When lunch hour was over, or I ran out of spare change, I'd go back to school.

I already had a Lincoln Cent collection in those days, but most of it was given to me by my grandfather. I love cents, but really love Mercury dimes because that collection was mine. I finished it except the 16D and the 42/1. I later inherited my grandfather's collection which includes a 16D, but still no 42/1 which did not have a spot in the folder he used.

I came across a silver hoard last year and kept out some of the better Roosevelts before selling most of it off. It was missing the 49S and all three 1955's. But I suppose I'll acquire those and complete the set for my grandkid.

BigAppleBucky - Sounds like you have a very nice merc collection! I think I'd prefer them too if I had been around when they were in circulation. Try shopping for a roll of BU mercs today, IMO way too expensive! The more rare dates in even "AG" condition are high! You can pick up BU rolls of the 55-P/D/S you're missing for $85-90 each or less if you keep your eyes open for a deal. Depending on the condition you seek on the 49-s it shouldn't be too expensive either.

I enjoy Roosevelts because they are still pretty affordable in BU. You can even buy key and semi-key dates circulated for barely over melt. I don't know that Roosevelts will ever be as valuable as mercs, but I think they will go up in value quite a bit someday (for BU and key dates).