The dime weight is 2.268g for all clad issues (1965 to 2025, plus 2027 onward) and 2.500g for pre-1965 silver dimes. The 2026 Emerging Liberty dime matches the clad weight at 2.268g -- a one-year exception before Roosevelt returns in 2027. Use weight with diameter and reed count to authenticate any dime.
A clad dime (1965-2025, 2027+) weighs 2.268g with a Mint tolerance of ±0.091g; a pre-1965 silver dime weighs 2.500g.
The Roosevelt clad dime has weighed 2.268g since the Coinage Act of 1965 replaced silver with a cupronickel-clad copper core. Pre-1965 silver dimes -- including Mercury and Roosevelt silver issues -- weigh 2.500g and contain 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver. The 2026 Emerging Liberty dime, a one-year semiquincentennial redesign, uses the same 2.268g clad specification. For authentication, weight is the first check: a clad dime outside the 2.177g-2.359g pass band warrants closer inspection of diameter (17.91mm) and reed count (118). Weight alone is not sufficient to confirm authenticity.
Three distinct dime types have different weight profiles. The table below covers all current and recent specifications.
| Specification | Roosevelt clad dime | Roosevelt silver dime | Tolerance / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (grams) | 2.268 g (clad 1965+) | 2.500 g (silver, pre-1965) | ±0.091 g (clad) · 31 USC § 5112(a)(3); US Mint specification for clad dime. |
| Diameter (mm) | 17.91 mm | 17.91 mm | ±0.13 mm · Consistent across silver and clad eras post-1873; 31 USC § 5112(a)(3). |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.35 mm | ~1.35 mm | US Mint published specification. |
| Edge | Reeded, 118 reeds | Reeded, 118 reeds | Reed count consistent across Roosevelt clad and Roosevelt silver issues; dossier section 3. |
| Composition | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core | 90% Ag / 10% Cu | Coinage Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-81) for clad; Coinage Act of February 12, 1873 for silver standard. |
| Pure silver content (ASW) | None (clad) | 0.07234 troy oz | Dossier section 4; applies to all 90% silver dimes (1873-1964). |
| 2026 Emerging Liberty dime | 2.268 g, 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad | — | ±0.091 g · One-year-only semiquincentennial redesign; same clad spec as standard Roosevelt dime; Public Law 116-330. |
A precision scale reading of ±0.01g or better is the fastest single check for a suspect dime. Genuine clad dimes (1965-2025, 2027+) fall within 2.177g-2.359g. A reading outside that range does not automatically mean a fake -- but it demands verification of diameter, reed count, and edge color before any conclusion. Pre-1965 silver dimes fall legitimately in the 2.409g-2.591g range; if your scale shows roughly 2.50g AND the edge is entirely silver with no copper stripe, the coin is almost certainly a genuine silver dime.
Weight alone is necessary but not sufficient. A tungsten-cored counterfeit can weigh exactly the same as a genuine coin. Always cross-check diameter, reed count, edge profile, and a ring test before concluding.
Pass: 2.177g - 2.359g -- within Mint tolerance (±0.091g of 2.268g); weight is consistent with a genuine clad dime. Verify diameter (17.91mm) and 118 reeds to complete authentication.
Border: 1.950g - 2.177g or 2.359g - 2.650g -- outside Mint tolerance but plausibly a worn coin, off-strike, or a legitimate pre-1965 silver dime (2.40g-2.60g). Inspect edge color: a copper stripe confirms clad; continuous silver edge confirms silver. Do not rely on weight alone in this band.
Fail: Below 1.950g or above 2.650g -- strongly anomalous. Likely a counterfeit, a plated base-metal slug, or a wrong-denomination coin. Verify with calipers (17.91mm expected) and a 10x loupe for reed count (118 expected).
Use a digital pocket scale capable of 0.01g resolution or better. Place the coin flat in the center of the pan, zero the tare, and allow the reading to stabilize before recording. Single measurements on an uncalibrated scale can drift; weigh a known reference coin (a recent clad dime from circulation) first to confirm the scale is reading within 0.02g of 2.268g.
Weight alone separates clad from silver dimes with high reliability: 2.268g vs 2.500g is a 0.232g difference, well above normal scale uncertainty. If your scale reads in the 2.40g-2.60g range and the edge shows a continuous silver band with no copper stripe, the coin is consistent with a pre-1965 silver dime. This is not authentication -- it is a strong indicator that warrants confirming the date (1873-1964) and composition.
For counterfeit detection, weight is necessary but not sufficient. A silver-plated zinc slug can be filed or struck to approximate 2.268g. Always cross-check: diameter should be 17.91mm (±0.13mm); the edge should show exactly 118 reeds under a 10x loupe; and the edge color should match the expected composition (copper stripe for clad; solid silver for a silver dime). A coin that passes all four tests is consistent with genuine.
The 2026 Emerging Liberty dime has the same 2.268g clad specification as the standard Roosevelt dime. If a coin reads 2.268g but appears unfamiliar on the obverse, check the date: a coin marked '1776 ~ 2026' with an allegorical Liberty figure is the legitimate one-year semiquincentennial issue, not a counterfeit.
The dime has been struck in multiple compositions since 1796. The weight changed at three key legislative moments: the Coinage Acts of 1853 and 1873, and the Coinage Act of 1965.
| Years | Weight | Composition | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1796-1807 | 2.70 g | 89.24% Ag / 10.76% Cu (later 90% Ag) | Draped Bust era; no denomination on coin; small diameter (~18.8mm). |
| 1809-1827 | 2.70 g | 89.24% Ag / 10.76% Cu | Capped Bust era; same weight as Draped Bust issues. |
| 1828-1837 | 2.41 g | 89.24% Ag / 10.76% Cu | Capped Bust reduced-size type; weight dropped with the smaller diameter. |
| 1837-1853 | 2.67 g | 90% Ag / 10% Cu | Seated Liberty era; weight standardized under Mint Act of 1837. |
| 1853-1873 | 2.49 g | 90% Ag / 10% Cu | Coinage Act of February 21, 1853 reduced weight to curb hoarding of heavier coins. |
| 1873-1964 | 2.500 g | 90% Ag / 10% Cu | Coinage Act of February 12, 1873 standardized at 2.500g; applies through Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt silver dimes. |
| 1965-2025, 2027+ | 2.268 g | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core | Coinage Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-81) replaced silver; weight dropped 0.232g with composition change. |
| 2026 | 2.268 g | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core | One-year-only Emerging Liberty obverse (semiquincentennial); same clad weight as standard issue; reverts to Roosevelt in 2027. |
The 0.232g difference between a pre-1965 silver dime (2.500g) and a post-1965 clad dime (2.268g) is modest but measurable with a 0.01g-resolution scale. In a roll of 50 dimes, that difference accumulates to 11.6g -- enough to flag a mixed roll. The edge test is faster than weighing for a single coin: tilt the dime and look for a visible copper stripe. Clad dimes always show it; silver dimes never do.
Compositionally, the two types share almost no materials in common. The pre-1965 dime is 90% silver and 10% copper throughout -- a homogeneous alloy. The clad dime is a laminate: two outer layers of 75% copper / 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core, with the cupronickel cladding accounting for roughly 33% of total weight and the copper core the remaining 67%. The silver content of a pre-1965 dime is 0.07234 troy oz, which carries melt value at any positive silver spot price. The clad dime has no precious metal content.
For collectors, the practical implication is straightforward: any dime dated 1873-1964 is 90% silver and worth at minimum its silver melt value. Any dime dated 1965 or later (including 2026) is clad and worth face value unless it carries a numismatic premium. The weight test alone can resolve uncertainty in most cases, but always confirm with the edge-color test before treating a coin as silver.
| Spec | Vintage | Modern | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.500 g | 2.268 g | Silver dime is 0.232g heavier; measurable with a 0.01g-resolution scale. |
| Composition | 90% Ag / 10% Cu (homogeneous alloy) | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core (laminate) | Entirely different metal structure; silver content dropped to zero in 1965. |
| Diameter | 17.91 mm | 17.91 mm | Diameter unchanged; cannot be used to distinguish silver from clad. |
| Reed count | 118 | 118 | Reed count unchanged; cannot be used to distinguish silver from clad. |
| Edge appearance | Continuous silver band all around rim | Visible copper stripe between two thin silvery layers | Fastest visual test: copper stripe = clad; no stripe = silver. |
| Pure silver content (ASW) | 0.07234 troy oz | None | Pre-1965 dimes carry melt value tied to silver spot; clad dimes do not. |
The Coinage Act of 1965 drew a hard line between the 90% silver dimes struck through 1964 and the cupronickel-clad dimes struck from 1965 onward. Knowing which side of that line your dime falls on determines both its composition and its melt-value floor.
| Era | Years | Weight | Composition | Metal content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early silver era | 1796-1872 | 2.70 g (1796-1837), 2.67 g (1837-1853), 2.49 g (1853-1872) | 89.24% Ag / 10.76% Cu (pre-1837); 90% Ag / 10% Cu (post-1837) | Varies with weight; approx 0.0644-0.0718 troy oz Ag depending on era |
| Silver era (standardized) | 1873-1964 | 2.500 g | 90% Ag / 10% Cu | 0.07234 troy oz pure silver per coin |
| Clad era | 1965-2025, 2027+ | 2.268 g | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core | No silver content |
| 2026 Semiquincentennial (one year only) | 2026 | 2.268 g | 91.67% Cu / 8.33% Ni clad over pure Cu core | No silver content; same clad spec as standard issue |
Four tests identify a silver dime in hand: (1) Date -- any dime dated 1964 or earlier is 90% silver by statute; 1965 and later are clad. (2) Edge color -- tilt the coin and look at the edge; a copper stripe confirms clad; a uniform silver edge confirms silver. (3) Weight -- 2.500g for silver, 2.268g for clad; a 0.01g scale resolves the difference reliably. (4) Ring test -- a silver dime dropped on a hard surface produces a brighter, higher-pitched tone than a clad dime. Any two of these four tests together provide strong identification; all four together is conclusive for routine authentication.
Weight is the fastest first screen, but four additional checks -- diameter, reed count, edge color, and ring tone -- together form a reliable authentication sequence.
| Method | Reliability | How to | Pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight on a 0.01g scale | High | Weigh the coin flat on a calibrated digital scale. Expect 2.268g ±0.091g for clad dimes and 2.500g ±0.091g for pre-1965 silver dimes. | 2.177g-2.359g for clad; 2.409g-2.591g for silver. | Below 1.950g or above 2.650g is strongly anomalous and warrants immediate additional checks. |
| Diameter with calipers | High | Measure across the coin face with digital calipers at two orientations; average the readings. Genuine dimes measure 17.91mm ±0.13mm. | 17.78mm-18.04mm. | Significant undersizing (slug or wrong denomination) or oversizing (a quarter-blank reject) is diagnostic of a problem. |
| Reed count under 10x loupe | Medium | Hold the dime edge-on under a 10x loupe and count the reeds, or count a quadrant and multiply by four. Genuine dimes have 118 reeds. | 118 reeds (some variation ±2 from die wear is plausible). | Significantly fewer or more reeds, or a smooth/poorly-defined edge, suggests a cast counterfeit or wrong-denomination planchet. |
| Edge color test | High | Tilt the dime under light and examine the edge. A clad dime shows a visible orange-brown copper stripe sandwiched between two silvery layers. A silver dime shows continuous silver with no stripe. | Copper stripe visible for clad (1965+); no stripe for silver (pre-1965). | A plated coin may look silvery on the edge but will chip or flake under a loupe, revealing a base-metal core. |
| Magnetic test | Medium | Pass a strong neodymium magnet near the coin. Genuine dimes (both silver and clad) are non-magnetic. | No attraction to magnet. | Any magnetic response indicates a ferrous core -- a clear sign of a counterfeit or a non-US coin. |
| Ring tone (drop test) | Low | Drop the coin onto a hard surface from a few inches and listen. Silver dimes produce a higher-pitched ring than clad dimes. | Silver dimes ring clearly; clad dimes produce a duller tone. | Base-metal fakes often ring flat or produce an off-pitch sound, but this test is subjective and should be used as a secondary check only. |
Every dime struck from 1873 through 1964 -- Seated Liberty (late), Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt silver issues -- contains 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver. This figure derives directly from the 2.500g standard weight and 90% silver fineness: 2.500g x 0.90 = 2.250g of silver, converted to troy ounces at 31.1035g per troy oz, yielding 0.07234 troy oz.
The Coinage Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-81, signed July 23, 1965) eliminated silver from dimes entirely. The new cupronickel-clad composition carries no precious metal content. A 1964 Roosevelt silver dime and a 1965 Roosevelt clad dime are visually almost identical -- same portrait, same reverse, same diameter, same reed count -- but differ in weight (2.500g vs 2.268g) and in every material respect.
Melt value for silver dimes is calculated by multiplying the 0.07234 troy oz ASW by the current silver spot price. Because silver dimes are also collectible coins, melt value represents a floor, not a ceiling: worn common-date examples may trade at or near melt, while key dates and high-grade specimens command substantial numismatic premiums.
Silver content (troy oz) = Weight (g) x Silver fineness (0.90) x 0.0321507
At $74.64 per troy ounce of silver, a pre-1965 dime contains roughly $0.00 of pure silver -- but this is the floor, not the ceiling, for collectible silver dimes.
The melt value of a pre-1965 dime is calculated from its 0.07234 troy oz silver content. At any silver spot price, multiply that figure by the spot rate to get the per-coin melt floor. A roll of 50 silver dimes contains 3.617 troy oz of pure silver -- a useful figure for bulk-lot calculations.
Silver spot pricing pulled live from coins-value.com; updates on weekday market open and close.
Melt value is the floor for collectible coins, not the ceiling. Worn examples may bring melt; key dates and high grades bring multiples of melt. The 1916-D Mercury dime, for example, is worth vastly more than its 0.07234 troy oz silver content regardless of spot price.
Silver spot pricing pulled live from coins-value.com; updates on weekday market open and close.
The clad dime (1965-2025 and 2027 onward) weighs 2.268g with a Mint tolerance of ±0.091g. Pre-1965 silver dimes weigh 2.500g. The 2026 Emerging Liberty dime uses the same 2.268g clad specification as the standard issue. On a 0.01g-resolution scale, the difference between a silver dime and a clad dime (0.232g) is easily measurable.
A clad dime weighs 2.268g (1965-2025, 2027+). A pre-1965 silver dime weighs 2.500g. The 2026 Emerging Liberty one-year redesign also weighs 2.268g -- it uses the same clad composition as the standard Roosevelt dime. All modern dimes share the 17.91mm diameter regardless of era.
Check the date first: dimes dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. Then examine the edge: a silver dime shows a continuous silver band around the rim; a clad dime shows a visible copper stripe sandwiched between two silvery layers. A weight test confirms it: silver dimes weigh 2.500g, clad dimes 2.268g. Any two of these checks together reliably identifies a silver dime.
Each pre-1965 dime contains 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver. This follows from the 2.500g standard weight and 90% silver fineness: 2.500g x 0.90 = 2.250g of silver, which converts to 0.07234 troy oz. A roll of 50 silver dimes contains 3.617 troy oz of silver. Melt value equals 0.07234 troy oz multiplied by the current silver spot price -- but key-date coins can be worth far more than melt.
The 2026 Emerging Liberty dime weighs 2.268g -- the same as the standard clad Roosevelt dime. It uses the same 91.67% copper / 8.33% nickel cupronickel-clad over copper core composition. The only difference from a standard clad dime is the obverse: the 2026 coin features an allegorical Emerging Liberty design with a '1776 ~ 2026' dual date. It is not Roosevelt. The dime reverts to the Roosevelt obverse in 2027.
Silver is denser than the cupronickel alloy used in clad dimes. The pre-1965 dime weighs 2.500g with a 90% silver composition; the post-1965 clad dime weighs 2.268g with a copper-nickel laminate. The Coinage Act of 1965 changed both the composition and the weight. The diameter stayed at 17.91mm and the reed count at 118, so the weight difference is the primary measurable distinction between the two types.
A dime has 118 reeds. The reeded edge dates from the original silver dime era, when it served as a deterrent against shaving precious metal from the edge. The reed count is the same for both silver (pre-1965) and clad (post-1965) dimes. Under a 10x loupe, the 118-reed count is a useful authentication check: a cast counterfeit often has imprecise or malformed reeds.
The Mercury dime (1916-1945) weighs 2.500g, the same as other 90% silver dimes of that era. The Mercury dime is technically the 'Winged Liberty Head' dime -- the figure on the obverse is Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, not the Roman god Mercury. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, it shares its 2.500g, 90% Ag / 10% Cu specification with Barber dimes and early Roosevelt silver dimes.
Weigh the coin on a 0.01g-resolution scale. A genuine clad dime should read 2.177g-2.359g (2.268g ±0.091g). A pre-1965 silver dime should read 2.409g-2.591g (2.500g ±0.091g). A reading outside these ranges is a warning sign. Cross-check with diameter (17.91mm), reed count (118), and edge color. Weight alone is necessary but not sufficient: a counterfeit can be trimmed or stuffed to approximate the target weight.
Yes. A standard roll of 50 dimes weighs 113.4g if all are clad (50 x 2.268g) and 125.0g if all are silver (50 x 2.500g) -- a difference of 11.6g per roll. This makes a mixed roll easy to detect by weight. Silver dimes are also about 0.232g heavier per coin than clad dimes, so even a small number of silver coins in a clad roll will increase the total weight measurably.
The 2026 dime features a one-year-only 'Emerging Liberty' obverse -- an allegorical figure of Liberty, not Franklin D. Roosevelt. The dual date '1776 ~ 2026' honors the 250th anniversary of US independence. This redesign is authorized by Public Law 116-330 (Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020). The Roosevelt design returns to the dime in 2027. The 2026 coin's weight and composition (2.268g clad) are identical to standard clad dimes.
The Roosevelt clad dime (1965-2025, 2027+) weighs 2.268g, measures 17.91mm in diameter, is 1.35mm thick, and has 118 reeds. Composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel cladding over a pure copper core. The Roosevelt silver dime (1946-1964) uses the same diameter and reed count but weighs 2.500g and is 90% silver / 10% copper, containing 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver per coin.
Weight tells you what a dime is made of. Numismatic value depends on date, mint mark, grade, and variety. Check key-date Mercury and Roosevelt prices before selling.
View the silver dime value guide by year →The Assay coin identifier can distinguish Roosevelt from Mercury from Emerging Liberty in seconds -- useful when the date is worn or the design is unfamiliar.
This page is an informational reference; weight-based authentication is a necessary first step but not sufficient on its own -- always verify diameter, reed count, and edge color before reaching a conclusion about a coin's authenticity.