Mercury Dimes - 90% Silver - $5 Face Value

The Mercury Dime, also known as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, is a popular U.S. coin minted from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, it features a portrait of Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought. The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, making it attractive to both collectors and silver investors.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): Displays the Winged Liberty Head, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury. The word 'LIBERTY' is inscribed along the top, with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and the date at the bottom.
• Reverse (back): Features a fasces, symbolizing strength and unity, surrounded by an olive branch, representing peace. 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'ONE DIME' are inscribed around the edge.
• Weight: 2.5 grams
• Silver Content: 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver
• Fineness: 90% silver (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The Mercury Dime was produced at several U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is located on the reverse, to the left of the fasces:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): The primary producer of Mercury Dimes, with large mintages in most years.
• Denver ('D'): Known for certain lower mintage years that are especially prized by collectors.
• San Francisco ('S'): Produced some of the more sought-after early date dimes, particularly those with lower mintages.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Many Mercury Dimes from the 1940s, particularly those from the Philadelphia Mint, are quite common and are often traded based on their silver content. These include dates like 1941, 1942, and 1944, which had large mintages.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Some Mercury Dimes are significantly more valuable due to their rarity. The 1916-D, for instance, is the key date in the series, with a very low mintage, making it highly sought after. Other notable dates include the 1921 and 1921-D, which also have low mintages and command higher premiums.

Various Grades and Values

The value of Mercury Dimes depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins:

• Good (G): $2-4
• Fine (F): $4-8
• Extremely Fine (XF): $8-15
• About Uncirculated (AU): $15-30
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $30-50

Rare mint marks and key dates, such as the 1916-D, can command prices well into the hundreds or thousands, especially in higher grades.

The Mercury Dime remains an iconic and beloved coin, both for its artistic design and historical significance. While common dates are affordable and often sold for their silver content, the rarer dates and mint marks are eagerly sought by collectors and can garner substantial premiums. As with any collectible, condition and rarity play major roles in determining a coin's value.

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