Question For Newbies Only

If the "cash" value of the two was equal I would take the Roosevelt. Why. Presumably a random lot of Mercury dimes is easier to accumulate than the better coin.

If the value of the Mercury lot was more, I would take the mixed lot, sell them, and buy one better coin.

I'd go with the Roosevelt dime because I would sell it for what it's worth or a little more and buy the Mercuries I missed out on.

After realizing that I possess about half of the date/mm set of Merc dimes and about three-quarters of the date/mm set of Roosevelt dimes (including the keys like 1955, 1949-S, and 1950 (excluding 1996-W)) all pulled from junk bags at the LCS (in good condition, I might add), the decision is a tough one. I've only been collecting avidly for about 2 years now (still consider myself a newbie).

I would choose the MS-68+ dime, preferably a 1949-S. While the lowest mintage coin of the Roosevelt dime series is the 1955, these are widely available in high grades at decent prices. However, for some reason, 1949-S (a higher mintage specimen relative to the 1955) is more difficult to find in 1)higher grades and 2)at lower prices.

I read a thread just recently on the valuation differences between the keys of the Roosevelt dime series that touched on why their values may differ. It may be worth a search.

Hope I've answered your question satisfactorily. Bottom line, either one you go with is going to be a great decision as it will expand your knowledge, and the size of your collection!

Ok, most of our newbie members didn't score very well.
The 18 low grade mercs at todays silver prices will run you about $30 from LCS . however the 1 gem ms-68+ FT roosie
will set you back thousands of dollars, any date or mint except for 1949-s which if you can find one in that grade will probably blow you away at about $20,000. so have we learned a lesson here ? always try to go with quality instead of quantity . it will pay off in the long run.
one last word to all newbies, Educate yourself about your new hobby. buy books on coins and coin grading. I recommend
the Red Book. have a blast.

I agree. That was an impolite way to form a question.

I thought the op was asking because he was going to give a gift to someone new to the hobby, and wanted new collectors opinions.

I've never collected dimes, and have no reason to study their value.

OP, since you want quality over quantity, I have a BU Sacagawea dollar I'll trade you for those 18 mercs.

Got a real bait and switch thing going on there.

I apologize for miswording my thread. first I didn't say to BUY, I said which would you rather HAVE. no trick question. my intentions were not to deceive anyone or ridicule them. but to show them that while quantity is nice, it's better for "value" to go with quality. maybe I should have said
that the values won't be the same for both the mercs. and the roosie.
I'm just trying to point out VALUE vs. filling holes will be more profitable in the long term.

that value is subjective. which is more likely: several new potosi mountains will be discovered crashing the value of silver making the Mercury dimes worthless, a couple dozen unopened bankrolls of the ros dime being discovered crashing its value (which is very common since people horded that latter dimes), or the fiat system crashing causing the ros dime to become worth less than the group of merc's.

if I was going to hold onto both for 30 years before selling id go with the most valuable since itd be worth the gamble. but if it was a $60 coin vs a group of silver value coins a $30 for holding onto that long id take the silver all day. you just used an extreme example that no one would bother looking up unless coins were in hand.

infact heres a proof dime from 1959 full band: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Roosev...em2c97851380
so I have no idea what your talking about

Well, this turned out rather condescending, didn't it?