Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/16/2010

Question
I have an uncirculated roll of 1964 plain, pointed tail dimes that only has had the top 2 coins looked at twice in all these years. I bought as speculation in late 1964. Funny that almost NOBODY knows about their existence and for sure not the value in today's market. Can you simply tell me what I can sell my 50 dimes for to a dealer? What is the acutual selling price from most dealers? I am tired on going to coin shows or gold and silver exchanges and nobody knowing about the pointed tail dime of 1964. The Denver mint was more plentiful for sure. The pointed tail was the 'norm' for coins prior to 1964, but in 64 the first month or so used the prior year dies on the 19 and then the majority of that year the "new" 19 showed a blunted tail. I have seen low estimates of ALL pointed tails numbering just 3 million. I just want a valid, reasonable answer as to where I can sell my choice uncirculated roll of 1964 pointed tail dimes and about what is each worth? I will NOT go to eBay, only a dealer.

Answer
Hi Sandy:

Thanks for the question.

New obverse hubs were introduced during 1964.  This resulted in working dies that exhibited some degree of variation.  Dimes produced during the early part of 1964 have a pointed tail on the 9 and a plain upper serif on the 1 in the date.  Dimes produced during the remainder of the year exhibit a rectangular or blunt tail to the 9 and no serif on the 1 in the date.  This second style is the result of the new obverse hub.  Business strikes and proofs can be found in both styles. I found estimates on the pointed tail dime to be as low as two million, but that is still a large number of coins. When they were first "discovered", they were thought to have "investment potential. Walter Breen, a famous numismatist, identified them in his book as Breen#3757, and Breen#3759. Today, it is only briefly mentioned in the "Red Book" US Guide of Coins as a date variety, but shows added value.

I do not believe many "normal" coin dealers would be interested in your coins. Dealers who specialize in "errors and varieties" may be interested. I found one dealer, Ken Potter, a personal friend, who is selling a BU 1964P and 1964D "pointed tail" pair for $12. You may see his listings and contact him at this link: http://koinpro.tripod.com/ErrorVarietyList.htm  Another error dealer, also a personal friend, is Fred Weinberg. He may also be interested. You can contact him through: http://www.fredweinberg.com/  I found a second listing (Mike Jurek) for a BU 1964D "pointed tail" dime at $5.50. See: http://mikesmailbag.com/errorsvarieties/varieties10-25.htm  You don't like eBay, but I found one listing at $8.50 for a GEM 1964P "pointed tail": http://cgi.ebay.com/1964-P-POINTED-TAIL-GEM-Roosevelt-Dime-Fill-Your-Book-/17047...

My best guess would be that you would be offered about $3 a coin, or $150 for the roll of fifty, for your 1964P pointed tail dime. This is based on Potter's sell price of $12 for a pair of the "P" and "D" dimes.

Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers, if you don't like the error/variety dealers listed above, if possible. If you should decide to sell your coins to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Hope this helps to answer your question. Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.