Mercury Dime Value
Silver Mercury Dimes were introduced by the United States Mint in 1916 and were struck annually until 1945 (with the exception of three years). The silver coins are also known as Winged Liberty Head Dimes which is probably a more accurate title even if most coin enthusiasts do not routinely use it.
1916-P Mercury Dime Choice BU+ Uncirculated FSB Full Split Bands. +$3.75 shipping. 1916-P Mercury Dime Choice BU+ Uncirculated FSB Full Split Bands. PCGS AU55 1916-S MERCURY HEAD DIME ABOUT UNCIRCULATED 10c NEARLY FB (BC70) $94.99. 10.) 1918 D Mercury Dime - Worth $22,000; 11.) 1858 S Liberty Seated Dime - Worth $18,500; 12.) 1844 Liberty Seated Dime - Worth $16,250; 13.) 1856 S Liberty Seated Dime - Worth $15,444; 14.) 1919 S Mercury Dime - Worth $15,000; 15.) 1924 S Mercury Dime - Worth $12,000; 16.) 1885 S Liberty Seated Dime - Worth $12,000.
The U.S. Mint struck each Mercury Dime from 90% silver with 0.0723 ounces of the precious metal. (Look to the right column to calculate coin melt values based on the latest price of silver.) The dimes have a total weight of 2.5 grams. As seen on the coin image, Liberty is showcased on the obverse while the reverse has Roman fasces in front of an olive branch.
1916 S
Prior to the release of the 1916 dime, the U.S. Mint had been striking the Barber Dime for twenty five years. The older dime was named after its designer, United States Mint chief engraver Charles E. Barber. Barber had been allowed to redesign the dime in 1892 after Congressional legislation was introduced allowing coin designs to change after twenty-five years of use.
Historical Mercury Dime Silver Coin Melt Values
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The design of the Barber Dime was not widely accepted by the public. When another twenty-five years had passed, many were eager to see it replaced. With the help of the United States Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), noted sculptor Adolph A. Weinman was selected along with two other artists to submit dime design proposals.
Weinman’s work was not only accepted for the new dime, but an additional Weinman design was also chosen to be used on the half dollar coin. Both proved extremely popular with the public and are considered to be among of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the U.S. Mint.
The obverse of the dime contains an image of a young mythical figure of Liberty complete with a Phrygian cap. The cap is adorned with wings meant to symbolize freedom of thought. However, many in the public misinterpreted the design and thought it was meant to represent the Roman god Mercury, thus resulting in the coin being known as a Mercury Dime.
Shown on the reverse of the dime is an image of a fasces (bundle of sticks with an ax blade emerging from them). Wrapping around the fasces is an olive branch. The design was meant to symbolize America’s interest in peace while still prepared for war.
Owing to its widely accepted designs, many coin enthusiasts collect Mercury Dimes which are relatively affordable and easy to obtain in lower grade levels. The key strike of the series is the 1916-D since just 264,000 pieces were struck.
Mercury Dimes with no real numismatic value are also sought after for their silver content owing to the 0.0723 ounces in each piece.
Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90
Mercury dime values start at $1.97 each. With silver at $26.90 an ounce, all have this minimum value.
By following a step by step method the important dates, mintmarks, and condition of your coin is identified. Mercury dime series was minted from 1916 through 1945, with many of the early years now premium coins.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date and Mintmark - Mercury dimes are collected and valued by date and mintmark, identify these accurately.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - All coins are 'Graded' as to their condition. Images, video, and descriptions are used to compare your coin.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Separate the average dimes from collector quality to realize full potential.
The following chart clearly shows the wide range in values. From $1.97 to hundreds, depending on dates, mint marks and condition.
| Mercury Dime Values 1916 to 1945 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Mint State |
| Mercury Dime Values | 2/8/2021 | |||
| 1916 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $9 | $37 |
| 1916 D | $735 | $1,750 | Rare | Rare |
| 1916 S | $2.37 | $9 | $21 | $38 |
| 1917 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $27 |
| 1917 D | $2.81 | $13 | $44 | $107 |
| 1917 S | $1.97 | $2.81 | $15 | $60 |
| 1918 | $1.97 | $3.66 | $30 | $70 |
| 1918 D | $1.97 | $3.66 | $28 | $78 |
| 1918 S | $1.97 | $2.81 | $20 | $105 |
| 1919 | $1.97 | $2.81 | $10 | $32 |
| 1919 D | $2.37 | $11 | $35 | $217 |
| 1919 S | $2.37 | $10 | $38 | $216 |
| 1920 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $33 |
| 1920 D | $1.97 | $2.81 | $16 | $83 |
| 1920 S | $2.11 | $3.66 | $17 | $172 |
| 1921 | $43 | $85 | $318 | $1,274 |
| 1921 D | $57 | $125 | $388 | $1,235 |
| 1923 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $24 |
| 1923 S | $1.97 | $4.86 | $62 | $174 |
| 1924 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $11 | $46 |
| 1924 D | $2.11 | $4.86 | $50 | $143 |
| 1924 S | $2.11 | $3.66 | $44 | $207 |
| 1925 | $1.97 | $2.81 | $9 | $41 |
| 1925 D | $2.37 | $11 | $108 | $294 |
| 1925 S | $2.11 | $4.86 | $73 | $196 |
| 1926 | $1.97 | $3.66 | $3.66 | $24 |
| 1926 D | $2.11 | $3.66 | $24 | $100 |
| 1926 S | $10 | $26 | $211 | $1,247 |
| 1927 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $22 |
| 1927 D | $2.37 | $4.86 | $73 | $208 |
| 1927 S | $2.11 | $3.66 | $24 | $244 |
| 1928 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $3.66 | $23 |
| 1928 D | $2.37 | $11 | $38 | $186 |
| 1928 S | $1.97 | $2.37 | $19 | $102 |
| 1929 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $3.66 | $22 |
| 1929 D | $1.97 | $2.81 | $14 | $25 |
| 1929 S | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $27 |
| 1930 | $1.97 | $2.37 | $4.86 | $23 |
| 1930 S | $1.97 | $2.81 | $17 | $75 |
| 1931 | $1.97 | $2.81 | $9 | $26 |
| 1931 D | $3.66 | $14 | $42 | $89 |
| 1931 S | $2.37 | $3.66 | $20 | $74 |
| 1934 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $21 |
| 1934 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $3.66 | $47 |
| 1935 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.68 |
| 1935 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $3.66 | $29 |
| 1935 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.81 | $20 |
| 1936 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.68 |
| 1936 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $3.66 | $22 |
| 1936 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $20 |
| 1937 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.06 |
| 1937 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.81 | $19 |
| 1937 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $18 |
| 1938 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $8.53 |
| 1938 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.81 | $18 |
| 1938 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $18 |
| 1939 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $6.54 |
| 1939 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.97 |
| 1939 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.81 | $19 |
| 1940 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1940 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $6.54 |
| 1940 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.06 |
| 1941 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1941 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.06 |
| 1941 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.97 |
| 1942 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1942/41 | $233 | $246 | $345 | $1,988 |
| 1942 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.97 |
| 1942 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $8.53 |
| 1943 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1943 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $6.54 |
| 1943 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.06 |
| 1944 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1944 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $6.54 |
| 1944 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $7.06 |
| 1945 | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1945 D | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $5.58 |
| 1945 S | $1.97 | $2.11 | $2.37 | $6.54 |
The above are wholesale Mercury dime values. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling. Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs. For more background information, see how value listings in the Coin Value Guide are determined.
Step 1: Date and Mintmark are Identified
A favorite with collectors, who refer to the series as Mercury dimes; the coin features a bust of Liberty wearing a winged cap; symbol of freedom of thought. The reverse is an ancient Roman symbol the fasces. A bundle of rods tied around an axe; whose meaning is strength through unity.
Mints and Mintmarks of Mercury Dimes
A new design replacing the Barber dime and well receive by the public. Three mints struck dimes over the 1916 to 1945 span of the series. Assembling a set of each date and mintmark combination is usually the focus of collectors. Mints and their mintmarks are imaged below. Each is valued separately and by state of preservation.
San Francisco Mint
In 1916 the San Francisco mint finished striking the last of the Barber series and began producing the Mercury dime series. 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. San Francisco contributed just over 440 million Mercury dimes.
On the reverse is found the 'S' mintmark of San Francisco. At the base of the Fasces to the left is a small 'S' indicating San Francisco struck the dime.
Denver Mint
Denver struck a total just under 476 million Mercury dimes, second highest of the three mints. Notable is the very small number of 1916-D dimes - 264,000, the key to the series. Later issues of the teens and twenties are also elusive. All needed to complete a date and mint set.
Mercury Dime Value 1936
Indicating the Denver mint struck the dime is a small 'D' mintmark on the reverse. Just to the left of the olive stem at the bottom of the coin along the rim look for the 'D' mark.
Philadelphia Mint
Philadelphia is the main and original mint of the US. Its total production of Mercury dimes exceeded 1.7 billion coins. A greater number than the two branch mints combined. Notable low mintage years are 1921 and 1930. 1921 is a scarce coin in any grade, however, the 1930 is a premium value in higher grades.
Philadelphia did not use a mintmark to indicate its production of coins at the time. If there is no mintmark at the lower rim, left of the Fasces, Philadelphia struck the coin.
Step 2: Grading Condition Determines a Narrow Value Range
Rare dates and mint marks are two key factors affecting Mercury dime values. Also, the condition of your coins is important in determining how much your Mercury Dime is worth.
Mercury Dime Values Rise with Condition
Mercury Dime values are directly tied to condition. Whether a rare date or a common one, values rise with rising condition. Collectors want the nicest coins for their collections and are willing to pay a premium for high condition examples.
Compare your coins to the grading images below, find the closest match and assign each a 'Grade'.
Grading a coin is straight forward. As a coin circulates, elements of the design wear and disappear. Visually different stages of wear are assigned a grade.
Mint State Grade: Mercury Dime
Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: An uncirculated - mint state - coin must not show any evidence of wear to the surface. High points of design are closely examined confirming original surfaces remain intact.
Waves of hair above Liberty's forehead sit high in profile and luster quickly wears from the surface. A color change and smoothing of the metal are signs the coin saw use in commerce. An even texture of the metal along high points of hair matching lower areas indicates a mint state coin.
Leading edge of the wing is also an area to judge. Fine lines are part of the design and original texture remains overall helping to judge evidence of wear.
A subtle indicator of wear is a smoothing of metal to Liberty's cheek and jaw line. A close look fines a continuous, even texture of metal overall.
Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: When rotated and tilted under a light, mint luster reflects a shine.
High areas include the bands over the Fasces. These are showing no dullness and smoothing. Both horizontal and diagonal bands are lustrous and exhibit an original texture.
Additionally, leaves of the olive branch each have a 'glow' similar to the fields of the coin just below.
Extremely Fine Grade: Mercury Dime
Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Small amounts of wear have now flattened high point areas. Wear is light however, with many fine details remaining.
Distinct waves show in Liberty's hair above her forehead. A few small details are merging but major waves are well raised.
Small areas are flattened on hair curls at back of neck with major lines of separation remaining.
Lower portion of wing is smooth across the fine feather detail. Full separation remains of the upper feathers along the horizontal lines.
Liberty cheek is full with high and low areas defining her cheek, jaw, and eye brow.
Leaves over the vertical lines remain outlined with no merging, a small but important detail.
Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A first indicator of an Extremely Fine grade Mercury dime are full diagonal bands as they cross the vertical lines.
As the top and bottom band cross the center, a clear line remains.
Wear has removed the line in the horizontal band creating a small flat area. All three horizontal band are well defined from the vertical lines.
Vertical lines of the rods are beginning to show flatness but remain completely separated.
Fine Grade: Mercury Dime
Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Wear has created areas of the surface appearing both heavily worn and moderately worn. An overall sharp look remains because of finer lines visible.
Hair curls alone Liberty's face are now beginning to merge with her forehead. A slight separation remains with a faded contour line.
Leading edge of the wing is faded only in disconnected areas. Majority of wing outline remains defined and recognizable from the cap areas below.
Mercury Dime Value 1944
A bold Fine grade coin shows inner wing detail.
Upper ends of letters are fully defined and not connected to the rim.
Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: A modernly detailed Fasces remains as the center of a Fine grade Mercury dime.
Traces of diagonal bands are visible as they cross the vertical lines. When closely examined; often the lower edge of the band is sharper.
Horizontal bands tying the rods are now smooth, lacking any center line. Top, center, and bottom bands are merging with center vertical rods.
Vertical lines are merging in areas. Merging of vertical lines must remain disconnected and confined where diagonal bands cross.
Lettering is complete and separate of the rim. Additionally, a full rim is noted with a raised inner edge.
Good Grade: Mercury Dime
Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Wear has now removed all finer detail and major details are mostly an outline.
Liberty's hair is merged with her forehead and a flat area extends into the wing. Starting at her cheek a flat area is smooth across her hair and wing.
Date remains bold with a small blending of the last digit with the rim. Any separation of the last digit and rim is a strong Good grade.
Legend is clear. Tops of letters are worn and becoming faint in areas. Letters touching the rim is found only in isolated spots.
Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A strong outline of the Fasces remains along with a mintmark if present.
All traces of diagonal and horizontal bands are flattened and missing. A vertical line or two is often visible, mainly at the edges.
Legend is readable with most letters very plain. Rim is just beginning to fade into the tops of letters in areas. Important, letters are only merged with rim in disconnected areas and only the tops of letters are involved.
Video: Grading Mercury Dimes
Video details the process used to grade the condition of Mercury dimes. Key elements of the design are judged and depending on the amount of remaining detail, an accurate grade is assigned. Close-up images are used to compare your coin helping recognize condition.
Step 3: Special Qualities to Recognize
Two separate markets determine Mercury dime values. First are the collector quality dimes, higher grade pieces with aesthetic appeal. Second market is the very abundant dates and mintmark combinations available in large quantities.
Mercury Dime Collector Market
Collector quality dimes are scarce when compared to the numbers of bullion pieces. To meet high quality a coin has limited to no wear, pleasing toning to bright mint silver, and few distractions.
Collectors develop a preference for a particular 'look' and enjoy the search finding a suitable example. Often many examples are viewed before one meeting their preference is found. These collections are built with all coins closely matching visually.
A set of lightly circulated, similarly toned Mercury dimes is an enjoyable challenge to many collectors. Solid values are the result.
affordableMercury Dime Bullion Market
Second large market in Mercury dimes are the bullion quality coins. These coins are identified by their heavy wear and dates available in large quantities. Many in Fine grade or less are considered as part of this group. Silver price moves the value of bullion dimes up or down as silver prices change.
Listings on the chart in the $1.97 to $2.37 range (up-dated weekly) identify these coins. Grading the condition of the coin is a large deciding factor between bullion and collector quality. If all of the vertical lines in the Fasces on the reverse show it is a strong candidate to the collector grade. Viewing closely the grading images helps decide if your coin is a collector quality, higher value Mercury dime.
References
US Mint. 1948 US Mint Annual Report. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/339
US Mint. 1916 US Mint Annual Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514129
Coin Values CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Mercury Dime Values
1916 to 1945
1916 | 1924 | 1931 | 1940 |
1917 | 1925 | 1934 | 1941 |
1918 | 1926 | 1935 | 1942 |
1919 | 1927 | 1936 | 1943 |
1920 | 1928 | 1937 | 1944 |
1921 | 1929 | 1938 | 1945 |
1923 | 1930 | 1939 |
Special Note: Mercury dimes dated 1940-1945 are generally collected in Uncirculated grade. Values normally range from $5.58 to $8.53 depending on how nice the mint state condition. The fewer marks, brightness of luster, beauty of toning, and fullness of strike all have a role in determining Mercury dime values.
Designer's Initials Prominently Displayed
One of the few US coins with the designer's initials - Adolph A. Weinman, displayed in an open field of the design. He designed both the Mercury dime and Walking Liberty half dollar, considered two of the best US coin designs. A stylized 'AW' is on the obverse field just behind Liberty. These initials are found on all Mercury dimes.
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