The mint mark (if it has one) is on the reverse, along the rim, at about 7 o'clock, just to the right of the "E" in ONE. Copyright 2007-2023 Daniel A. HarrisAll Rights Reserved, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514129. Whether a rare date or a common one, values rise with rising condition. So, whats the W on the obverse of the Mercury Dime and why is it there? Silver price moves the value of bullion dimes up or down as silver prices change. As the new director, Friedrich Johannes Hugo von Engelken, did not take office until September 1, 1916, Fred H. Chaffin became acting director. [10], The 1916-D Mercury dime, struck at the Denver Mint, is the key date of the series, with a mintage of 264,000pieces. 1917-P Mercury Dime - Full Split Bands Great Deals From The Executive Coin CompaItem DetailsFrequently Asked QuestionsQ: Is the picture showing the actual coin I'll receive?A: Yes, you will receive th [25][26] According to Breen, "Weinman's symbolic message in this design was clearly an updated 'Don't tread on me'". A year with less mintage makes higher grades even rarer. Other visits followed, and on March 29, Woolley wrote to Superintendent Joyce, "confidentially, the sculptors designing the new coins felt that on their last trip Mr. Morgan was much more cordial and cooperative than Mr. Barber was. The Mercury dime was minted again but in gold for its centenary in 2016. James Bucki is a nationally-recognized coin collector and numismatic expert and author, sharing his knowledge and specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collection techniques. And since many were melted down during the two World Wars, they are very difficult to come by. This had been an ongoing problem as Weinman's design was produced, but was thought to have been corrected. The same day, Woolley wrote to Mint Engraver Barber, telling him that his sketches were rejected, and that models from Weinman and MacNeil would arrive at the Philadelphia Mint no later than May1. In the case of the 1941 Mercury Dime, 16,557 of them were produced in Philadelphia, the mint in charge of the proof mintage until 1968. Last is San Francisco, which minted 49,490,000 dimes. If your coin is worn and looks similar to the one illustrated in the link below, it is considered acirculated coin. It indicates you have done your coin values homework. History of the Mercury Dime (aka Winged Liberty Head), How to know the real value of your 1941 Mercury Dime, most valuable mercury dimes series (1916-1945), Creative Commons 3.0 no derivative works license, Most valuable rare Australian coins list and Value. [18] Lange notes that "numerous delays were encountered as the artists fine-tuned their models while simultaneously avoiding obstacles thrown in their path by Barber. Over the life of the series production was interrupted a few years notably; 1922, 1932, and 1933 when no dimes by any of the mints were struck. with MS66, MS67 or MS68 grades. [2] The Mint had offered only a small prize to the winner, and all invited artists refused to submit entries. Is it sharp and well-defined, or does it appear to be worn down? Altogether, in the retrospect, it seems an incredible achievement. These coins are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and are decorated with reed edges, just like the other dimes that preceded them. Check the pennies! As a coin circulates, elements of the design wear and disappear. SKU: 25025 Category . It was Woolley's intent to have distinct designs for the dime, quarter and half dollarpreviously, the three pieces had been near-identical. Silver Weight: .07234 oz. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Keep in mind that only a few dates in the series came with proof coins, but it was not the case with coins struck in 1929. Mercury dimes, more formally known as Winged Liberty Head dimes, minted from 1916 to 1945, is apopular series of U.S. coins to collect. Mercury dimes are not only valuable, but also beautiful and historically significant coins. [4], Beginning in 1905, successive presidential administrations had attempted to bring modern, beautiful designs to United States coins. To better help you figure out how much to pay (or not to pay) for a mercury dime, here is a table with values of the major dates and mint marks for mercury dimes. Many in Fine grade or less are considered as part of this group. I have pulled out 3 rolls of Mercury dimes to further fill and upgrade my album. This issue is common in most grades, but when it comes to full-band grades it is more scarce. In extremely fine condition the value is around $3.25. A stylized "AW" is on the obverse field just behind Liberty. In the case that the two are clearly differentiated, it is said that it is a Mercury Dime Full Band. Still, the story behind the Mercury Dime and complexity of this timeless series are compelling enough to captivate numismatists and lure them down the colorful path of studying these coins in greater detail often inspiring them to build competitive Registry Sets featuring this beloved silver coin. [49] The remainder, which included about as many as 8,000 to 9,000 coins that were unsold or returned to the mint from prior sales, were offered for sale on December 15, 2016, with a limit of one per customer, and sold out within 90 minutes. Collecting silver dimes is very interesting and eye-catching, as well as quite affordable for an average collector. Editors note: keep in mind that the assigned grade is subjective and can vary between individuals or organizations. But the Director of the Mint shall nevertheless have power, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, to engage temporarily the services of one or more artists, distinguished in their respective departments of art, who shall be paid for such service from the contingent appropriation for the mint at Philadelphia. [34] A letter to the editor in the January 1917 The Numismatist appears to be the first numismatic reference to the coin by the nickname "Mercury". 1944 P Winged Liberty Head Dime - 4 Photos! Category - Questions and answers [10], Chief Engraver Barber died on February 18, 1917, having served 37years in office. The highest mintages occurred later in the series when several issues had production of more than 100 million. Sort through enough coins, and you're likely to find a Mercury dime. On the reverse we find right in the center some fasces, a Roman symbol that represents unity and strength, since it is made up of many rods joined together, which gives us to understand that the strength is born from this union. To know the state of conservation of the coin we own or want to buy we need to have an expert eye that we can hardly acquire without time or experience. The low-mintage dates are not rare today as many were hoarded, and 1930- and 1931-dated dimes proved readily available from the banks once the economy improved. [46][47][48] On April 26, the Mint reported that it had sold 122,510 units, just 2,490 pieces away from the item's maximum allowable mintage. On May 29, Woolley wrote Weinman that the designs, both for the dime and half dollar, were accepted by the Mint.[20]. No matter if you are, Read More How Much Is A Queen Elizabeth Coin Worth: Currently Very Much In DemandContinue, US historys most popular commemorative coin program was and still is the 50 States Quarter Program. An easy way to pick up one coin from Denver. Buy 1918-S Mercury Dime MS-66 PCGS CAC (FB) | APMEX $1,841.40 0.08% Silver $21.36$0.11 0.52% Platinum $979.40$5.90 0.62% Palladium $1,484.00$17.10 1.22% Call Us: 800.375.9006 Live Chat Fast & Free Shipping On Orders Over $199! AMERICA, and at the bottom the denomination of the coin ONE DIME. His depiction of the pileus as a winged cap has provoked comparisons with Roman Republic denarii, which art historian Cornelius Vermeule considered superficial. But before buying a mercury dime (or any coin), be sure to do your research on the seller check their reviews and make sure they are reputable and trustworthy. However, you can find beautiful specimens with an MS 68 rating that can be worth $500 to $600. That is quite the achievement for a coin, and one that makes it extremely interesting to numismatic history collectors. These counterfeits are struck in good silver, allowing the coiner to profit on the difference between the cost of production and the face value. She wears a Phrygian cap with wings, reminiscent of the god Mercury, hence the name of the dime. [21] According to a column in The Art World magazine later in 1916, Since that day [the 19th century] much artistic progress has taken place in our coinage. [22], Weinman never disclosed the name of the model for the obverse, and no person ever claimed to have been her. If the coin has an error, or is certified this will further add to the appeal and raise it's price numismatically speaking. Waves of hair above Liberty's forehead sit high in profile and luster quickly wears from the surface. The mint mark location is on the reverse of the coin to the left of the fasces. I also have the 2022 Wilma man killer mint mark d. And a half dollars actually 4 ranging from 1973,1974,1776-1976,1989 mint mark p,1993, the bicentennial half dollar has a r mark under his head a 1979 Susan b Anthony dollar mint mark fg and d. And the 1978 Eisenhower dollar coin with mint mark d. All these coins are in excellent condition. [11] The director informed the Commission that as the existing coinage had been in use for 25years, it would have to be changedsomething which numismatic historian David Lange calls a "misinterpretation of the coinage laws". The location of the mint mark for Mercury dimes is actually located on the reverse of the coin, which is shown in the image below. Mercury Dimes, which ran from 1916 through 1945, carry mint marks on their reverse in the lower left corner of the field by the rim, just to the right of the "E" in "ONE" and below the bulk of the olive branch. It's in the same place on all years of Mercury dimes. A new design replacing the Barber dime and well receive by the public. San Francisco contributed just over 440 million Mercury dimes. If the coin shows signs of wear on it due to being used in business transactions, it is considered "circulated." Mint Mark: D - Denver Metal Content: 0.0715 troy oz Purity: .900 Thickness: 1.35 mm Diameter: 17.9 mm Condition See Description Buyer's Premium 20% 1921-D Mercury Dime AG Estimate $99 - $149 Coming Up: 400 Lots Away $1 Starting Bid Your Maximum Bid: Secure $1 or 4 payments of $0.25 with Place Bid Enter Live Auction [40] Also produced at that time, though less apparent to the naked eye, was the 1942/1-D. Another popular variety is the 1945-S "Micro S", with a smaller-than-normal mintmark. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth. Of course, this is just a basic guide to grading mercury dimes for accurate and professional results, its best to have your coins graded by an expert organization. We recommend to do your own research and consult with experts before starting or adding to your collection, and always make sure to authenticate any potentially valuable finds. Many of your old US silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. Seller: upnorthcoins. This makes the currently circulating mercury dimes even rarer and more valuable to collectors. In reality, the dime was not too thick, but the rim of the coin struck too high, a defect known as a "fin". Small quantities of the new dime had been sent to vending machine and pay phone manufacturers; on September 6, two companies reported problems with the coins. How many miles would the cab ride be if it costs $15? 90% Silver, great looking addition to your collection. [16], On March 3, the new coins were publicly announced, with the Treasury noting, "[d]esigns of these coins must be changed by law every 25 years and the present 25 year period ends with 1916. Silver dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. Mercury dimes are a popular series to collect amongst coin collectors. Its best to have an expert or guidebook on hand to help with identification. You are visiting Baltimore, MD and a taxi company charges $3.00 for using the taxi and $0.75 per mile driven. Exceptionally well-struck dimes display "full bands", that is, the horizontal bands on the fasces show full detail. A set of lightly circulated, similarly toned Mercury dimes is an enjoyable challenge to many collectors. Mercury Dime values are directly tied to condition. 1918 D Mercury Dime. Finally, compare your coins appearance to the grading scale and assigned it a number from 1-70. The P mint mark from the Philadelphia Mint never appeared on the Mercury Dime, but the D and S mint marks do, and these are the only singular letters to ever appear on the silver Mercury Dime. Chapter 1: History of the Mercury dimes", "Mercury dimes. Total Weight: 2.5 grams. In case the coin is full of dirt and it is suspected that it may have some economic value, it is best to consult a professional numismatic dealer. The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from late 1916 to 1945. Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: An uncirculated - mint state - coin must not show any evidence of wear to the surface. On the reverse, as we have seen previously, the fasces can be appreciated and we see that there are some bands that tie the wooden rods. Now that you know about the history of this coin, lets talk about how to properly appraise and collect them. The mercury dime saw a surge in popularity during World War II, when people hoarded silver as a way to protect their assets against inflation. After discussions between Woolley and McAdoo, Weinman was notified on February 28 that five of his sketches had been selectedfor the dime and half dollar, and the reverse of the quarter. OF. *= See the section above "Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties" for more information on these coins. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. We kept 1916 alone as its very significant, being the first year of mintage for the mercury dime, plus the 1916 coins minted at Denver have a very high value. Leaves over the vertical lines remain outlined with no merging, a small but important detail. Each Mercury dime contains almost 1/10 of an ounce of silver (0.0723 oz. This was a little confusing for the public, and led to the coin being called both the Winged Liberty Head Dime and the Mercury Dime. View the images below for further reference. exactly). But if you want to familiarize yourself with the grading process and do it yourself, here is a basic guide on how to grade a mercury dime: First, use a magnifying glass to check for any major flaws like scratches or nicks. By following a step by step method the important dates, mintmarks, and condition of your coin is identified. Fine lines are part of the design and original texture remains overall helping to judge evidence of wear. His successor was the 72-year-old Morgan, who had served under Barber for his entire tenure. Also, the design is quite unique, as the fasces on the reverse is not a common symbol found on US coins. While there was no mint mark for Philadelphia Mercury Dimes, "D" represented the Denver Mint and "S" represented the San Francisco Mint. Full separation remains of the upper feathers along the horizontal lines. Maximum Compensation up to 2,500.Buy USA Dime 1916 - 1945 Mercury .900 SILVER KM#140 Choose your Date (T32) from only 2.99 Coins Coins United States Dimes 1: 1 0: 0 D: D S: S 1: 1 U: U U: U D: D 1916-D Mercury dime - The key date for the series, the 1916-D is indeed a rare coin. The coins sank with the capsule in the Atlantic Ocean, but were later recovered with the capsule from a depth of nearly 16,000ft (4,900m) in 1999. Lettering is complete and separate of the rim. The winged Liberty is widely believed, however, to have been based on a 1913 bust Weinman sculpted of Elsie Stevens, wife of Wallace Stevens. This means that they have a high value if a specimen is especially well preserved, as well as if it has certain peculiarities such as Full Bands or versions with errors. Surrounding the fasces is a full-foliaged branch of olive, symbolical of peace. The first column lists the date and mintmark (see the photo above), followed by the buy price and the sell value for an average circulatedMercury dime. During the series, coins were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. This Lincoln penny value chart will quickly tell, Read More Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Chart (Some Rare Ones Cost Up to $408,000)Continue, With the recent unfortunate event, it seems like Queen Elizabeth is everywhere. This makes it a great piece for anyone looking to start or expand their collection. During this time period mintages varied widely from just a few hundred thousand for the well known key date to more than 200 million for some years. r/coins Treasure find. Striking of dimes at Denver did not resume until well into 1917, making the 1917-D relatively rare as well. Mercury Dime Lot of 100 $10 face value 2 rolls circulated 90% silver . Everyone to whom the coins have been shown here thinks they are beautiful. Online auction places like Heritage Auctions also often have mercury dimes for sale. Second large market in Mercury dimes are the bullion quality coins. Let east be the +x direction. On the lower left side of this obverse we find the motto IN GOD WE TRUST which is so common on U.S. coins. One of the few US coins with the designer's initials - Adolph A. Weinman, displayed in an open field of the design. Firstly, they were minted during both World Wars, making them sought after by collectors interested in numismatic history. It designated that the piece was minted at the Carson City Mint in Nevada. [5] Following the redesign of the double eagle, eagle, half eagle and quarter eagle in 1907 and 1908, as well as the penny and nickel redesigns of 1909 and 1913 respectively, advocates of replacing the Barber coins began to push for the change when the coins' minimum term expired in 1916. Mercury Dime 10C Although the Mint could decide to use a design on a denomination not intended by its sculptor, the designs were not fully interchangeableby statute, an eagle had to appear on the reverse of the quarter and half dollar, but could not appear on the dime. For example, coins graded MS-65 or higher can sell for thousands of dollars. Special Note: Mercury dimes dated 1940-1945 are generally collected in Uncirculated grade. Buya Merchants get the highest marks in delivery . The coin's mint mark Mercury dimes were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The value of a 1941 Mercury Dime PROOF is between $160 and $300. Year: 1918. Any separation of the last digit and rim is a strong Good grade. $6.25. The cameo denomination is given to coins that have a frosted appearance on the coin as can be seen in the image. Three mints produced this silver coin, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. Video index of how to grade old dimes. But for the average collector, using these basic guidelines will give you a good starting point to determine the value of your mercury dimes. Required fields are marked *. US Silver Mercury Dime & 3 Nazi Germany Zinc And Bronze Reichspfennig Coin Lot. [27] Woolley described the design in his 1916 report to the Secretary of the Treasury: The design of the dime, owing to the smallness of the coin, has been held quite simple. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/339 With none of the new designs ready for production, and small change in great demand, the Mint had no alternative other than to strike Barber dimes and quarters by the million. "[8] In reply, McAdoo wrote "[l]et the mint submit designs before we try anyone else." A color change and smoothing of the metal are signs the coin saw use in commerce. range (up-dated weekly) identify these coins. Condition: AG-3. On April 14, he asked Superintendent Joyce to request Chief Engraver Barber, then in his 36thyear in office, to prepare new designs. PCGS The Standard for the Rare Coin Industry. Countless newbies believe it to be a W mint mark on their Mercury Dimes but become confused when they realize that a W mint mark didnt begin appearing on United States coins until 1984 nearly 40 years after the last Mercury Dime rolled off the presses. An overall sharp look remains because of finer lines visible. PLURIBUS UNUM (from many, one). For reference, we can take this 1941 Mercury Dime Full Bands from the Denver Mint, with a conservation quality MS68, which sold for $1,320 at the prestigious Heritage Auctions auction house in 2021. The mint mark also affects the coin value, plus you should calculate the silver value on the current precious metal market. Video details the process used to grade the condition of Mercury dimes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Since these errors are hard to spot, its not uncommon for counterfeiters to try to pass off fake errors as the real deal. This also changed the series from Mercury dimes to Roosevelt dimes. They will then classify your coin as damaged, significantly reducing its value. [40], Many Mercury dimes were not fully struck, meaning that design detail was lost even before the coins entered circulation.