The 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $6 in typical Proof condition to over $120 for perfect specimens. These coins were produced specifically for collectors and contain real silver, making them far more valuable than the dimes you find in your pocket change today.

Condition / Grade	Approximate Market Value
PR 67 Deep Cameo	$6 – $8
PR 69 Deep Cameo	$12 – $15
PR 70 Deep Cameo (Perfect)	$35 – $125

Overview of the 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime

If you’ve discovered a shiny dime with an “S” mint mark dated 2005, you might be holding a small piece of silver treasure. Unlike the standard 2005 dimes minted in Philadelphia or Denver for general circulation, the 2005-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint specifically for inclusion in annual Silver Proof Sets. If you are unsure exactly what you have, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a standard clad dime and the silver version in seconds.

The 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This is a “throwback” composition, as the U.S. Mint stopped using silver for circulating dimes in 1964. Because these were never intended for the grocery store or vending machines, they feature a high-relief, mirror-like finish known as a “Proof” strike. The CoinKnow app is a fantastic resource for identifying these proof finishes, which can sometimes be confused with very shiny uncirculated coins by the untrained eye.

These coins were sold by the Mint to collectors as part of a set, but over the years, many sets have been broken up. This leads to individual silver dimes appearing in private collections or even accidentally entering circulation. While a circulating dime is only worth ten cents, the 2005-S silver dime value is underpinned by its precious metal content and its appeal to numismatists.

Composition and Specifications of the 2005 Silver Proof Dime

To confirm you have a silver dime rather than the standard copper-nickel version, you should look at the edge of the coin. A standard dime will show a copper stripe along the edge. In contrast, the 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime will have a solid, bright silver edge. This is the most reliable “at-home” way to verify the metal content without expensive equipment.

The technical specifications for this coin are quite specific. It weighs 2.50 grams, which is slightly more than the 2.27 grams of a standard clad dime. The 90% silver content means that each coin contains approximately 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. This “melt value” provides a price floor for the coin; it will never be worth less than the silver it contains.

Collectors usually look for the “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) designation on these coins. This refers to the sharp contrast between the frosted images (the portrait of Roosevelt) and the mirror-like background fields. When using CoinKnow, you can often find high-resolution examples of what this contrast should look like, helping you determine if your coin is a top-tier specimen.

Feature	Specification
Composition	90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight	2.50 Grams
Diameter	17.9 mm
Edge	Reeded

Determining the Market Value of a 2005-S Silver Dime

The pricing of a 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime depends heavily on its grade. Because these coins were handled with care by the Mint, most survive in very high grades like Proof 68 or Proof 69. A PR69 Deep Cameo is the standard for these coins, and you can usually find them for roughly $10 to $15 at a local coin shop or online auction.

However, the leap to a perfect Proof 70 (PR70) grade significantly increases the price. A PR70 coin is flawless under 5x magnification, with no scratches, spots, or marks of any kind. For those tracking current market trends, the 2005 dime price data suggests that while clad versions are common, the “S” silver proofs in perfect condition are highly sought after by registry set collectors.

If your coin has been removed from its original plastic lens and handled, it may have developed “toning”—a natural discoloration caused by oxygen or chemicals in the air. Some collectors love beautiful rainbow toning and will pay a premium for it, while others prefer the stark white brilliance of a fresh silver coin. CoinKnow allows you to compare your coin’s appearance with recently sold items to see which category yours fits into.

The Significance of the “S” Mint Mark

The “S” mint mark is located just above the date on the obverse (heads) side of the dime. It signifies that the coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint. By 2005, the San Francisco Mint was no longer producing coins for general circulation, focusing instead on limited-edition Proof sets.

Finding a 2005-S in your change is extremely rare but not impossible. It usually happens when a collection is stolen or when someone spends a relative’s coin collection without realizing its value. If you do find one in circulation, it is likely “impaired,” meaning it has scratches and lost its mirror finish. Even in impaired condition, it remains worth its weight in silver, which is significantly more than ten cents.

Understanding the mintage numbers helps explain the value. In 2005, over 1 billion dimes were made in Philadelphia and Denver, while only about 1.6 million silver proof dimes were made in San Francisco. This scarcity is a primary driver of the premium prices that silver proof dimes command over their common counterparts.

Mint Mark	Mintage (Silver Proof)	Type
S (San Francisco)	1,664,524	90% Silver Proof

How to Care for Your 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime

If you own a silver proof dime, proper storage is essential to maintaining its value. Silver is a reactive metal and will tarnish if exposed to humidity or human touch. The oils from your fingertips can leave permanent fingerprints on the mirror-like surfaces of a proof coin, which will drastically lower its grade and resale value.

Always handle your 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime by the edges, or better yet, wear cotton gloves. The best storage method is keeping the coin in its original Mint packaging. If the coin has already been removed, place it in a PVC-free plastic “flip” or a hard plastic capsule. This prevents “milk spots,” which are white haze-like spots that can sometimes develop on modern silver coins.

For those looking to sell or trade, keeping the coin in its best possible condition is the key to getting the high end of the price spectrum. If you’re unsure if your coin is worth grading by a professional service like PCGS or NGC, the CoinKnow community and valuation tools can provide guidance on whether the potential increase in value justifies the cost of the grading fee.

FAQ: Common Questions About the 2005-S Silver Dime

FAQ

Q: Is every 2005-S dime made of silver?

A: No. The San Francisco Mint produced two types of proof dimes in 2005: a “clad” version made of copper and nickel, and a “silver” version made of 90% silver. You must check the edge of the coin; if you see a copper stripe, it is the clad version, which is worth significantly less than the silver version.

Q: How much silver is in a 2005-S Silver Roosevelt Dime?

A: Each 2005-S Silver Proof Dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. Its melt value fluctuates daily based on the spot price of silver, but the collector value of the coin is almost always higher than its silver content.

Q: Where can I sell my 2005-S Silver Dime?

A: You can sell your dime at local coin shops, through online auction sites like eBay, or at coin shows. For high-value PR70 specimens, specialized numismatic auction houses are often the best choice to reach serious collectors willing to pay a premium.

Q: Why is there a difference between “Proof” and “Silver Proof”?

A: “Proof” refers to the method of manufacture (highly polished dies and blanks), while “Silver” refers to the metal composition. In 2005, the Mint produced both Clad Proofs and Silver Proofs. While both look shiny, only the Silver Proof contains 90% silver, making it the more desirable of the two for many investors.