Mercury Head Dime
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. 1923 Mercury Dime The U.S. Mint struck each Mercury Dime from 90% silver with 0.0723 ounces of the precious metal. 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. 1923 Mercury Dime The U.S. Mint struck each Mercury Dime from 90% silver with 0.0723 ounces of the precious metal. The mercury head dime was minted from 1916 through 1945 when it was replaced by the Roosevelt dime. All mercury dimes are 90% silver, therefore they are at least worth their silver bullion price which is more than 10 cents.
The Mercury dime, also known as the Mercury Head dime, is one of the most popular coins collected today.
First minted in 1916, the Mercury dime replaced the Barber dime that had been in use since 1892. A competition was held to determine the design that would be used for the new dime.
It was Adolph Weinmann who won the contest with his Mercury dime design, which contained several design elements that were foreign to American coinage at the time.
On the obverse of Weinmann’s design is a profile bust portrait of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. Because of the portrait’s resemblance to the Roman god Mercury, the new coin was termed the Mercury dime, though this is somewhat of a misnomer.
To the left of Liberty’s neck is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and below her neck is the year of mintage. Along the upper two-thirds of the rim is the word “LIBERTY.” To the right of her neck is a “W,” the designer’s mark. This should not be confused for a mint mark.
In the center of the reverse is a fasces, an ax wrapped in a bundle of sticks to strengthen its handle. The fasces is of Etruscan origin and often symbolizes strength, authority, and unity. Wrapped loosely around the fasces is an olive branch, symbolizing peace.
Along the upper portion of the reverse rim is the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and along the lower portion of the rim is the denomination “ONE CENT.”
The Mercury dime was minted until 1945, when it was replaced by the Roosevelt dime.
History of the 1941 Mercury Dime
1941 is one of the latest mintages of the Mercury dime. Because it was minted in the year that the United States formally joined World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, some collectors may value it for its historical significance.
In 1941, the Mercury dime was produced at three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
The economic boom fueled by World War II is evident in the high number of dimes minted that year. In Philadelphia, 175,106,557 dimes were minted; in Denver, 45,634,000 were minted; and in San Francisco, 43,090,000 were minted.
The design on this coin is typical for the series, as are the diameter of 17.8mm and the mass of 2.5 grams.
Mercury Head Dimes
The composition, too, is standard for Mercury dimes: 90% silver and 10% copper.
1942-over-1941 Dime Error
Very few varieties are known in the Mercury dime series. In 1941, only one major variety is recognized: a 1942 overdate error.
As shown in the below picture, the date on this variety seems to have both a 1 and a 2 at the end. This is a special case of doubling where the coin was struck with two different dies.
The theory is that these coins were minted in late 1941, while the 1942 dies were already in production. Somehow, a few dimes were struck first with a 1941 die and then again with a 1942 die.
This unusual variety is present in both Philadelphia and Denver mintings, and it is a very popular variety. An average, circulated example may be worth $500, and an uncirculated example could bring as much as $1,500!
If you think you are in possession of such a coin, you should have the error authenticated by an expert or a service such asNumismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Valuing the 1941 Mercury Dime
Despite their age, Mercury dimes overall are still quite common, and 1941 is no exception to this.
Still, a coin in the right condition can be worth a fair amount of money. Moreover, the mintage location can raise the value as well.
As with all coins composed largely of precious metals, the 1941 Mercury dime is worth more than face value simply in terms of its silver content. With the current price of silver at $16.70 per ounce, the melt value for this coin is around $1.20.
The 1941 Mercury dime’s numismatic value (its value to collectors) is higher than the melt value, even for lower grades.
Mercury Head Dimes 1928
For dimes minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark present), grades Good-4 through Extremely Fine-40 are worth between $1.52 and $2.76. This is the where most 1941 Mercury dimes fall.
Mercury Head Dime 1942
The value increases to $4.04 in About Uncirculated-50, $6.13 in Uncirculated-60, and $31 in Uncirculated-65. Proofs of this coin may be worth $284.
San Francisco mintages (signified by an “S” beside the base of the olive branch on the reverse) are roughly the same value as Philadelphia mintages except when they are in very high grades (MS-65+). A 1941-S Mercury dime graded at MS-68 sold at auction in 2011 for $1,035!
Denver mintages (signified by a “D”) are worth a bit more on average than the other two in grades of About Uncirculated-50 and above.
Silver Dimes Value Chart
About Uncirculated-50 grade Denver coins are worth $4.98. Uncirculated-60 coins are worth $7.25, and Uncirculated-65 coins are worth $25. MS-68 coins may be worth up to $500!