Liberty Dime
Liberty Dime 1894
1921-D Mercury dime – Like its Philadelphia-minted cousin, the 1921-D Mercury dime is an early 1920s coin issue that has a low mintage and, thus, is in high demand among those who need this coin to fill their albums and sets. Look to spend at least $60 to buy a decent, Good-4 specimen. Mercury Dimes Design Mercury Dimes are a United States ten-cent piece minted between 1916 and 1945. They bear an exceptionally beautiful depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, designed by Adolph Weinman. The figure on the Mercury Dime was first thought to be the Roman god Mercury, hence the coin’s common name. Mercury Dime Values The Mercury Dime (or Winged Liberty Head dime) was produced by the United States government from 1916 to 1945. The coin weighs 2.5 grams and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Values for Mercury Dimes fluctuate with current silver prices.
USA Coin Book has compiled a list of the most valuable US Dimes (Mercury Dimes, Roosevelt Dimes, Barber Dimes, Seated Liberty Dimes, Draped Bust and Capped Bust Dimes) using a database of over 6,000+ coins and valuations. These are the most valuable dimes and ten cent coins known.
Liberty Dime 1936
- Year of Issue: 2016
Background
Beautifully struck in .9999 fine 24–karat gold, the Mercury Dime Centennial Gold Coin features Adolph A. Weinman’s original Winged Liberty design.
This gold dime coin is commonly referred to as the Mercury Dime because of Liberty’s resemblance to the Roman god. Each coin contains one–tenth troy ounce of 24–karat gold, symbolic of the coin’s denomination of one dime, and is struck with a business strike finish.
Mintage Limit: 125,000
Read MoreRead LessCharacteristics
The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a winged cap.The reverse (tails) includes a Roman fasces and an olive branch, symbolizing America’s military readiness and desire for peace.
Obverse Inscriptions
- LIBERTY
- IN GOD WE TRUST
- 2016
- AW
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- AU 24K
- 1/10 oz.
- ONE DIME
Mint and Mint Mark
Specifications
Composition: 99.99% Gold
Content: .9999 Fine Gold (3.110 grams)
Weight: 0.1000 troy oz. (3.110 grams)
Diameter: 0.650 inch (16.50 mm)
Thickness: 0.047 inch (1.19 mm)Edge: Reeded
Artist Information
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Mercury Dime Overview
The Mercury Dime, with its flowing and beautiful design, is a popular choice for today’s collectors. Although known officially as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, many collectors commonly refer to it as the “Mercury Dime.” This is because some people believe that the portrait of Liberty is actually the Roman God, Mercury.
The Mercury Dime was introduced in 1916 after a call by Mint Director Robert Woolley, who wanted a major update of then current coins. The Mercury Dime saw a 29-year production run. The Mercury Dime replaced the Barber Dime which had been in production from 1892 till 1916. Sculptor Adolph Weinman won the contest in 1916 with his design for the new dime.
On the obverse, Weinman’s main design is a bust of Lady Liberty wearing a cap with wings, facing left. The motto “LIBERTY” is centered above the bust of Lady Liberty. “IN GOD WE TRUST” can be found to the immediate left of the bust, while the date can be found directly below. Weinman’s initial, “W”, can be seen just to the right of Lady Liberty’s neck.
Weinman included a unique design element on the reverse of the Mercury Dime. A fasces or hatchet encircled by wooden rods, surrounded by an olive branch is the main design. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “ONE CENT” can be found wrapped around the edges. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is to the right of the fasces.
Want to know more about the Mercury Dime as well as other collectible US Dimes? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Collectible Dimes.
History of the 1942 Mercury Dime
Like other dates at the end of the series, the 1942 Mercury Dime experienced a high mintage. The US Mint at Philadelphia reports that 205,410,000 examples were struck. This was the second highest number struck in the entire Mercury Dime series.
Strike quality was also an issue throughout the entire series, with most coins having a weak strike and dull details. Coins that have Full Bands, which show the split between each band around the fasces, are valued much higher than those that do not.
Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the Mercury Dime is a high purity silver coin. With a diameter of 17.91mm, the Mercury Dime weighs in at 2.50 grams. Reeding is present along the edges.
Image Source Flickr user NorthernLightsNumismatics
1942/1 Mercury Dime Error
Liberty Dime 1943
A very interesting error has been detected for the 1942 Mercury Dime. Some examples feature an overdate error where the previous year’s date can be seen. This error is very rare and is in great demand from collectors.
The overdate error for this year can be easily seen, in most cases without the need of magnification. Normally, the “1” from “41” can be seen directly next to the “2” in “42”. Another indicator is the “4” in “42” shows some signs of what is similar to doubling.
This error is one of the biggest and well-known errors for the entire Mercury Dime series. A couple thousand examples have been found and graded, but most examples will be in a condition lower than Uncirculated. This makes the Uncirculated Overdate 1942 Mercury Dime very expensive.
If you feel that your 1942 Mercury Dime shows signs of being a 1942/1 overdate error, be sure to take it to a respected coin dealer for a second opinion. Alternatively, you could send your coin to a third-party grader to get an expert opinion, as well as get the coin preserved.
Value of the 1942 Mercury Dime
More Liberty Dime Videos
Prices for the 1942 Mercury Dime continue to be depressed due to a large number of coins that are still available for collectors. Even high-grade 1942 Mercury Dimes are valued much lower than other dates in the series.
Examples that are in Fine condition or lower are only worth their silver value, about $1.50. Even higher grades, such as Extra Fine, are only valued at $2.50.
Uncirculated examples see a larger increase in value, with MS-60 examples going for $8. Even in the relatively high grade of MS-65, most examples retail for $28.
If you own a 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime, even in low grades, they are very valuable. Even in Good 4 condition, the going price is a whopping $440! Values only continue to increase with higher conditions. Extra Fine coins sell for just under $1000. MS-60 examples are valued by PCGS at $2,500.
A recent auction for a 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime that also had the Full Bands designation was sold for an impressive $76,375!