The mint mark also affects the coin value, plus you should calculate the silver value on the current precious metal market. Category: Mercury Dimes (1916-1945) Mint: San Francisco Mintage: 41,290,000 Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman Reverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper Fineness: 0.9 Weight: 2.5g ASW: 0.0723oz Melt Value: $1.60 (2/11/2023) Diameter: 17.8mm Edge: Reed The San Francisco mint became famous for this coin because its mint mark printing is smaller than normal and also . Particular coins being offered for sale may not have been included within particular indexes, and if included, may not have experienced the same market movements as the index as a whole. The 1939 dime with no mint mark is worth around $3 in very fine condition. Some of the most sought after are 1916-D, 1921, and 1921-D. . ), The 1982 Penny Value Chart (Most Valuable Penny Sold for $18,800), Most Valuable Antique and Vintage Vases: Identifying, Valuing and Buying (2023 Updated), A Detailed Outlook on the 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Value, Antique Floor Lamp: Identification, Valuation, And Buying Guide (2023 Updated), There were 2 sales of MS64 mercury dime for $1 (, Usually these coins go for around $90,000 (, There is a sizable amount of coins that sold for a few tens of dollars (. The same day, Woolley wrote to MacNeil to tell him he would sculpt the quarter's obverse, and to Polasek to inform him of his lack of success. How much is a 1939 dime worth? How many miles would the cab ride be if it costs $15? 1944 AU50 Mercury Dime. [25] The reverse depicts a fasces, the object carried by lictors, who accompanied Roman magistrates; on the coin it represents war and justice. The 10-cent Mercury coins have the bust of a woman representing Liberty on the obverse. Second large market in Mercury dimes are the bullion quality coins. Demand was so high that orders were no longer able to be placed within 45 minutes of the coin becoming available. Collecting mercury dimes can be a fun and rewarding hobby the thrill of the hunt for rare finds, the admiration of their historical significance and beauty, and potentially profit from sales. In addition, the fasces are surrounded by olive branches, symbolizing peace. Although the new coin's design was admired for its beauty, the Mint made modifications to it upon learning that vending machine manufacturers were having difficulties making the new dime work in their devices. Therefore, the PCGS3000 should only be used as one guide to rare coin prices and historical price movements, and not as the sole source for determining the value or market history of a particular coin. US Silver Mercury Dime & 3 Nazi Germany Zinc And Bronze Reichspfennig Coin Lot. [2] The Mint had offered only a small prize to the winner, and all invited artists refused to submit entries. Denver Mint Denver struck a total just under 476 million Mercury dimes, second highest of the three mints. Mercury dimes are also known as Winged Liberty Head dimes. Possible mint. ONE TIME SHIPPING COST FOR ALL ORDERS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME. ONE TIME SHIPPING COST FOR ALL ORDERS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME. [12], The Commission disliked the sketches from the Mint (submitted by Barber)[13] and selected sculptors Adolph Weinman, Hermon MacNeil and Albin Polasek to submit proposals for the new coins. The United States Mint first produced Mercury dimes (also known as Winged Liberty Head dimes) in 1916. Small areas are flattened on hair curls at back of neck with major lines of separation remaining. By following a step by step method the important dates, mintmarks, and condition of your coin is identified. List of Errors photo source: www.greatcollections.com Legend is readable with most letters very plain. Its name comes from the resemblance of its bust to the Roman god Mercury, however, it is really a representation of freedom, and its real name would be Winged Liberty Dime. But for the average collector, using these basic guidelines will give you a good starting point to determine the value of your mercury dimes. Also in the center, to the right of the symbol appears the motto E. Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Wear has created areas of the surface appearing both heavily worn and moderately worn. Notable low mintage years are 1921 and 1930. range (up-dated weekly) identify these coins. Required fields are marked *. Fine lines are part of the design and original texture remains overall helping to judge evidence of wear. Professional Coin Grading Services is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. Get free numismatic news from leading coin experts, in-depth articles, market summary videos, surveys & more! They continued to be produced until 1945, when the design was changed to depict a young Franklin D Roosevelt. 1916-D Mercury dime - The key date for the series, the 1916-D is indeed a rare coin. *Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment. With the economy beginning to pick up again, coinage resumed in 1934, and the dime was struck in large numbers each year through the end of the series. As for its characteristics, they are as follows: The mintmark is located, if present, just to the right of the word ONE on the reverse. [15] Members of the Commission persuaded Woolley that so much should not be entrusted to a single artist, and MacNeil was allowed to design both sides of the quarter, subject to his making modifications to his submission. The price of proof coins is usually higher than for normal coins, except for certain exceptional specimens, i.e. Of course, this detail is only noticeable in coins of high quality, because due to wear it is possible that, even if it had been a Full Band in its origin, it would be indistinguishable. The PCGS3000 reflects the opinions of PCGSs coin price experts with respect to indexes developed by PCGS for specific coin categories. Free Shipping. Many collectors ask about the W mark on their Mercury Dimes, wonder why its there, and want to know what it means. Its best to have an expert or guidebook on hand to help with identification. Woolley asked the Commission to view sketches produced by the Mint's engraving department. For most years of the series, coins were produced at all three facilities. 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. Selling Coins describes the different types of markets, and the type of coins to match each market. He has over 50 years of numismatic and writing experience, including a monthly magazine column for the American Numismatic Association. Of the three mints, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco, two placed a mintmark on the coin to indicate the mint of origin. Silver dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. Mercury dime series was minted from 1916 through 1945, with many of the early years now premium coins. Waves of hair above Liberty's forehead sit high in profile and luster quickly wears from the surface. Woolley suggested to the members that if they did not like the Mint's work, they should select sculptors to submit designs for the new pieces. Got some change in your pocket? Irem: 10 M44-10. Look for these mint errors on your silver Mercury dimes. [17] According to numismatic historian Walter Breen, Barber became "sullen and totally uncooperative". A mere 264,000 were minted, and without a doubt, even fewer exist today. [36], The dime was struck in substantial numbers until 1930, with the notable exception of the 1916-D issue and from 1921 to 1923, when an economic downturn caused the need for coins to diminish. These changes assuaged the concerns of both firms. Surrounding the fasces is a full-foliaged branch of olive, symbolical of peace. He was told in response that Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo was completely occupied with other matters.[6]. 90% Silver - The coin shown in the photos is the exact coin you'll receive. In the case that the two are clearly differentiated, it is said that it is a Mercury Dime Full Band. Mint officials were under the misapprehension that the designs had to be changed, and held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his position for 36years, also took part. 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. On the reverse is found the "S" mintmark of San Francisco. 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. An important fact you should know is that the D mint mark punch used on the 1916-D Mercury Dime is also the same mint mark used on the 1914-D Lincoln Cent. Last is San Francisco, which minted 49,490,000 dimes. Mercury dimes are one of the most popular collectibles, in part because they're everywhere. The mint mark on the Mercury Dime is located on the reverse to the left of the fasces and to the right of the 'E' in ONE. [14], The three sculptors submitted design sketches in mid-February, and on February 23 met with Woolley in New York so the artists could make presentations of the work to him and answer his questions. Remember, a coin's condition cannot be improved by cleaning it. Seller: upnorthcoins. The respective mintages get larger every year from a 1936 low of only 4,130 to a 1942 high of 22,329 (still quite a low number), when production was halted due to the United States entering WWII. These coins are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and are decorated with reed edges, just like the other dimes that preceded them. 90% Silver - The coin shown in the photos is the exact coin you'll receive. However, in spite of its short run, the coin remains popular among collectors for its historical significance and beautiful design. The Mint produced the first coins in late 1916, with the United States entering World War I in the following year. [42], Although no 1923 or 1930 dimes were struck at Denver, specimens appearing to be 1923-D or 1930-D dimes may be encountered. Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Wear has now removed all finer detail and major details are mostly an outline. They make for a great addition to any collection whether you focus solely on mercury dimes or prefer to have a diverse collection of coins. In MS 68 FB, this coin is worth over $25,000 with the normal-sized mint mark. [4], Beginning in 1905, successive presidential administrations had attempted to bring modern, beautiful designs to United States coins. So, whats the W on the obverse of the Mercury Dime and why is it there? The table below shows the mintages for circulation strikes of the Mercury Dime series for each date and mint mark combination. Your email address will not be published. [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. Is they'll have to rent it out a correct expression. One reason is its design and historical significance. Numismatic collector with special interest in the history of Spain. Are the heads on a 98 and 99 v8 5.7L the same? 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. Another aspect of collecting mercury dimes is looking for any minting errors. 1941 Mercury dime. In fact, the same expert can grade the same coins differently on different occasions. In a draft of his unpublished autobiography, Woolley wrote that Weinman refused to name the model, but told him it was the wife of a lawyer who lived above his Manhattan apartment (Woolley, in a later version, omitted the location, saying only that Weinman said it was the wife of a lawyer friend). The earlier strikes, including those reclaimed from the testing companies, were melted, though one specimen is currently known to exist. The Mercury dime was minted again but in gold for its centenary in 2016. [35] Lange traced the history of this misnomer, This misattribution appeared almost immediately in the popular press, as writers imagined that the obviously female Liberty was actually a representation of Mercury, messenger to the Roman gods of mythology and quite certainly a male. Online auction places like Heritage Auctions also often have mercury dimes for sale. Von Engelken authorized Joyce to produce coinage dies on October 6, and the new coins were put into production. Mint marks can be found on the reverse of Mercury Dimes, which were issued from 1916 to 1945, in the lower-left corner of the field by the rim, just to the right of the "E" in "ONE," and beneath the main portion of the olive branch. 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. Sign In or Create Account Cart: (0) Best Sellers Gold Silver Platinum Rare Coins Deals New Arrivals APMEX Branded Does Berkekey accept transcripts with a W on it? [20] On July 15, Woolley resigned as Mint director to work as publicity chairman of the Wilson reelection campaign. She wears a Phrygian cap with wings, reminiscent of the god Mercury, hence the name of the dime. If you look closer, what looks like the letter W has an A in it. Philadelphia: 175,090,000 coins minted. Collecting silver dimes is very interesting and eye-catching, as well as quite affordable for an average collector. This variety was caused by the Mint's wartime use of a puncheon (used to impress mintmarks on dies and hubs) which had been made for use with early 20th century Philippine coinage struck at San Francisco, which had only a small space for the mintmark. 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. A slight separation remains with a faded contour line. If the coin shows signs of wear on it due to being used in business transactions, it is considered " circulated ." If it was never used, then it is considered " uncirculated ." However, the D or S mint mark (or lack thereof) is a much more important factor as to the value of your Mercury Dimes, and you can find out more about Mercury Dime values on PCGS CoinFacts. A bold Fine grade coin shows inner wing detail. Last, be extra mindful when dealing with minting errors. We believe it is necessary to remember that coins should not be cleaned in any case, as it is common to try to leave silver coins shiny, but this takes away their original patina, making them lose value for collecting. Remember, this table is only meant to be a guideline, as each auction is unique. Upper ends of letters are fully defined and not connected to the rim. These are companies dedicated to evaluating and awarding a score to our coins according to their condition. US Mint. 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. It, Read More Ultimate List Of Most Valuable State Quarters (Cost Upto $17,250)Continue, Finding a gold dollar doesnt necessarily mean youve found a fortune. A subtle indicator of wear is a smoothing of metal to Liberty's cheek and jaw line. Weinman wrote again, hoping to make changes to the dime, but was told that only an act of Congress could change the design.[33]. We have since 1916 to forge an extensive collection. 90% Silver, great looking addition to your collection. *= See the section above "Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties" for more information on these coins. Now that you know about the history of this coin, lets talk about how to properly appraise and collect them. Both horizontal and diagonal bands are lustrous and exhibit an original texture. Weinman wrote that he considered the winged cap to symbolize "liberty of thought". 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. Mercury Dimes Mintage The most popular design for the ten cent denomination is the Mercury Dime, which was produced from 1916 to 1945. [10], The problems with the dime were a potential embarrassment with a presidential campaign underway. It's actually an intertwined A W -- the monogram of the coin's designer A. McAdoo approved the revised design on September 28. PLURIBUS UNUM (from many, one). This is a 2023 uncirculated Philadelphia minted mark dime. This is the 1937 Mercury dime value and coin prices based on the grade of the coin. In 1916 the Treasury Department conducted a design competition to replace the stoic design of the Barber dime that had been minted since 1892. 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. Even scuffed versions can earn a decent price, and it vastly exceeds either the S . Letters touching the rim is found only in isolated spots. With the new pieces, all American coins would have had a recent change of design (the Morgan dollar was not then being struck). Most well-circulated dimes show more wear to the reverse. Copyright 2023 My Coin Guides. Coin Value Guide | How to Value a Coin Collection. It's in the same place on all years of Mercury dimes. 1945-S Mercury Dime Value The San Francisco Mint made 41,920,000 Mercury Dimes with the S Mint Mark. Additionally, a full rim is noted with a raised inner edge. The Valuable Mint Marks You will also want to look at your Mercury Dime to see where it was minted. The first time, he found Barber absent, but had a productive talk with long-time Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. Heres what you should pay attention to when evaluating mercury dimes: Grading deserves its own section what with its own scale, expert organizations, and even slang (a slabbed coin is one that has been professionally graded and sealed). Its total production of Mercury dimes exceeded 1.7 billion coins. While the Philadelphia mint produced over 22 million . 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