Why Do Silver Dimes Carry a Higher Premium Over Spot?

[Know Common Cents]

Premiums over spot fluctuate for many known and unknown reasons. All it takes is a fast look at APMEX to notice that all quantities of silver dimes carry a premium of $1.99 over spot. There's no indication these are exclusively Mercuries, so why are they so pricey?

Quarters are $0.99 over spot. There's nothing awe-inspiring about a circulated Roosevelt dime. This pricing disparity isn't apparently exclusive to APMEX. It seems to have bled through even on e-Bay where the bids or fixed prices are higher for dimes on a comparison basis (overall silver equivalent) than for G Washingtons.

My LCS has no explanation for this mystery, either. Then again, I guess I still don't understand how my iPhone works, either.

[Recyclersteve]

That could just be a temporary thing- their way of saying we are almost sold out of dimes. So if you insist on dimes, you will have to pay more for them.

My understanding is that half dollars would generally be the most likely to command a premium (over both dimes and quarters).

I don't expect this dime premium to last for long at all.

[Thogey]

Could there be a per coin premium?
Actually it is lower for dimes. Please check my math.

I come up with $.17 per quarter and $.14 per dime

[highroller4321]

Premiums over spot fluctuate for many known and unknown reasons. All it takes is a fast look at APMEX to notice that all quantities of silver dimes carry a premium of $1.99 over spot. There's no indication these are exclusively Mercuries, so why are they so pricey?

Quarters are $0.99 over spot. There's nothing awe-inspiring about a circulated Roosevelt dime. This pricing disparity isn't apparently exclusive to APMEX. It seems to have bled through even on e-Bay where the bids or fixed prices are higher for dimes on a comparison basis (overall silver equivalent) than for G Washingtons.

My LCS has no explanation for this mystery, either. Then again, I guess I still don't understand how my iPhone works, either.

I am slightly surprised to see the premium on dimes as most of the time quarters and dimes are the same premium.

Here is my theory:
People who are stacking for TSHTF scenario prefer dimes because they are the smallest unit of 90% that can be traded. In a TSHTF scenario it will be hard to "make change" so the smaller the unit of trade the better. That being said the premiums on most silver are starting to go up again so apmex is probably charging a premium for the unit of 90% that they have the least of.

[pmbug]

Seems like the premiums on 90% silver generally reflect supply and demand dynamics. Is the supply of 90% dimes drying up in the wholesale/dealer market?

Edit: Just checked Apmex 90% silver Washington quarters and I see premiums at $1.99. OP, where were you seeing premiums at $0.99?