The worth of a 1945 United States ten-cent coin composed of ninety percent silver is influenced primarily by two factors: its silver content and its condition. The intrinsic metal worth is based on the current price of silver, while numismatic appreciation is determined by factors such as wear, luster, and strike quality. A heavily circulated coin, for example, will have a different worth than an uncirculated one.
These dimes represent a tangible piece of history, minted during a pivotal year at the close of World War II. Their intrinsic worth provides a baseline valuation, shielded from complete obsolescence, as silver retains inherent commodity worth. Collectors prize higher-grade examples as relics of a bygone era, driving up their worth substantially based on preservation and rarity.