Numismatic

1981-S Roosevelt Dime Type I Gem Proof

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The 1981 Roosevelt dime stands as a remarkable example of modern American coinage, produced with the specialized care reserved for proof strikes. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin bears the distinctive 'S' mint mark, signaling its origin as a piece crafted for exceptional clarity and detail. The coin's composition features a clad metal structure, containing no precious metal content, yet it achieves a brilliant aesthetic through the proof manufacturing process. On the obverse, the profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt faces left, a design that has defined the ten-cent denomination for decades. This side features the word 'LIBERTY' alongside the national motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and the 1981 year of issue. The initials 'JS' are also visible, representing the designer's mark. The reverse of the coin presents a trio of symbolic elements arranged from left to right: an olive branch representing peace, a central lighted torch symbolizing liberty, and an oak branch signifying strength and independence. Intertwined with these symbols is the traditional Latin motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', while the outer inscriptions declare the issuing nation, 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the face value, 'ONE DIME'.