Mercury Dimes, often like some of the most beautiful coins in American history, have caught the hearts of collectors for decades. Despite the name, the coin is not the Mercury, the Roman gold, but Lady Liberty symbolizes freedom of thought.
Let’s sell the most valuable mercury dime this sweet coin and highlight attractive history.
8 Mercury Dimes Worth a Fortune
1916-D Mercury Dime Full Band Business Strike
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is the highlight of the series, which is rare and valuable. This dime, with a Denver mint mark and an MS 67 FB grade, sold for a whopping $207,000 on August 11, 2010.
Although most believe that the Mercury Dime is an image of the Roman god, it is actually Lady Liberty wearing wings on her hat—representing freedom of thought. The back has a fasces (a collection of sticks encircled by a battle axe) with an olive branch encircling it, symbolizing peace and unity. Some believed it resembled a golf club and referred to it as the “Golf Dime.”
1918-D Mercury Dime Full Band Regular Strike
The 1918-D Mercury Dime, which was auctioned for $182,125 on September 3, 2015, is another coveted coin. The Phrygian cap on Lady Liberty is ancient in origin, usually that of a freed slave in Persia and Eastern Europe. In the French and American Revolutions, it became a symbol of liberty.
Its Denver mint mark and Full Bands in good condition make this coin very rare. Its historical value and stunning design further enhance its appeal to collectors.
1919-D Mercury Dime Full Band Business Strike
The 1919-D Mercury Dime graded MS 66 FB sold for $156,000 at auction on January 14, 2019. Early American coins also used Lady Liberty as a figure of liberty with many of their designs based upon actual women.
Here, Elsie Stevens, poet Wallace Stevens’ wife, was the model for Lady Liberty. To create the winged cap appearance, artist Adolph Weinman employed the top of an old sock to replicate the ancient Pleiades cap.
1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime Full Band Regular Strike
The 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime is renowned for its minting mistake, in which the 1941 date was inadvertently struck under the 1942 date. This mistake renders it extremely collectible. A Philadelphia-minted specimen in MS 66 FB sold for $120,000 on January 3, 2018.
Adolph Weinman, the designer of the Mercury Dime, studied under the legendary Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed some of America’s most beloved coins. The artistic training and design ability of Weinman shine through in every aspect of this coin.
1945 Mercury Dime Full Band Business Strike
The 1945 Mercury Dime, Philadelphia mint mark, grade MS 67+ FB, sold for $96,000 on March 1, 2018. It is one of the latest Mercury Dimes, ever extracted, as it was later replaced by Roosevelt Dime in 1945.
Other renowned designs by Adolph Weinman’s, The Walking Liberty Half Dollar, were so popular that it was brought back to the American Silver Bullion coin after many years.
1918-S Mercury Dime Full Band Business Strike
The 1918-S Mercury Dime with San Francisco mint mark and MS 67 FB grade sold at $144,000 on January 14, 2019. It was struck when it was hard to strike coins precisely, so the Full Band specimens are extremely rare.
Although Mercury Dime was in circulation between 1916 and 1945, but President Franklin D. was discontinued as a result of Roosevelt’s death. FDR, which led the country through great depression and World War II, was remembered on the new krone design.
1919-S Mercury Dime Full Band Regular Strike
Another jewel, the 1919-S Mercury Dime, brought $103,500 on November 9, 2006. It is one of the symbols of President Theodore Roosevelt’s effort to make American coins more beautiful, which he initiated in 1904 and had continued under President William Howard Taft.
They commissioned famous artists to redesign United States coins with more artistic themes in place of uninspiring, dull ones. The Mercury Dime substituted the Barber Dime as part of this program.
1925-S Mercury Dime Full Band Business Strike
A 1925-S Mercury Dime sold MS 68 FB in $45,600 on January 14, 2019. This coin reflects difficulty hitting the Mercury Dimes because most of the time is already dead due to coaching of the design.
Fortunately, the coin law of 1890 on the redirect of coins every 25 years, which facilitates the simple update of the designs from Mint and surrounded the political obstacle to obtaining approval of the congress.
Conclusion
Collecting Mercury Dimes offers just more than a chance for rare coins this is an opportunity to see American history and art. Whether you are ready for mistakes or a change in historical design, each mercury dime tells a unique story. Keep an eye out for Full Band examples, as they’re not just beautiful—they’re also highly valuable!
FAQ’s
What is 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime?
This is a mint error where the date in 1941 appears under 1942.
Who drew Mercury Dime?
Adolph Weinman, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, designed it.
Which is the most valuable Mercury Dime?
1916-D Mercury Dime in MS 67 FB was sold for $207,000.