The US Mint was producing silver Mercury dime from 1916 to 1945. Thanks to their silver content, these coins are worth some money regardless of their condition. However, some well-preserved pieces can be costly.
The 1917 Mercury dime value significantly varies, depending on the coin quality. It is not too expensive in an average condition, but the so-called Full Bands piece with the total split and struck band lines will cost you more.
1917 Mercury Dime History
Adolph Alexander Weinman designed silver Mercury (Winged Liberty head) dimes in 1916, and the US Mint was producing them until 1945. The series includes:
- 77 regular-strike dimes
- Three significant varieties at least
- Seven proofs
Most regularly struck coins are common, and you can buy a lower-graded circulated one for a little above its melt value.
1917 Mercury dime |
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| Location | Year | Minted | Value |
| Philadelphia | 1917 | 55,230,000 | $4 |
| San Francisco | 1917 S | 27,330,000 | $4 |
| Denver | 1917 D | 9,402,000 | $6 |
| Total | 1917 | 91,962,000 | / |
The Mercury dimes minted in 1917 are common across most grades, and their value fluctuates depending on the current silver price.
1917 Mercury dime |
|
| Dime face value | 10 cents ($0.10) |
| Dime compound | 90% silver and 10% copper |
| Dime weight | 0.08038 troy ounces (2.5 g) |
| Weight of silver content | 0.07234 troy ounces (2.25 g) |
| Dime diameter | 0.70512 inches (17.91 mm) |
| Dime thickness | 0.03937 inches (1 mm) |
| Dime shape | Round |
| Dime edge | Reeded |
Even though you can see the Winged Liberty head signifying freedom of thought on the obverse, it initially reminded the public of Mercury, the male Roman god. As a result, most people use the wrong name for this coin to this day.
Despite this misunderstanding, most collectors want to add this beautiful and highly collectible piece to their collections.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D |
| Good | $3 | $3 | $5 |
| Very good | $3.4 | $3.4 | $6 |
| Fine | $3.6 | $4 | $13 |
| Very fine | $6 | $7 | $24 |
| Extra fine | $8.2 | $14 | $50 |
| AU | $14 | $34 | $105 |
| Mint state 60 | $34 | $65 | $159 |
| Mint state 65 | $185 | $593 | $1,153 |
*by USA Coin book
Weinman never explained who was the model for the Lady Liberty on the coin obverse. However, experts believe that he created it based on Elsie Stevens’ sculpture he made in 1913 for her husband, Wallace Stevens.
In her father’s letters that she edited, Elsie’s daughter, Holly Stevens, noted that it was true, and her mother really had been the model for this coin. There is a rumor that she wore an old pair of stockings top to simulate the winged cap on Liberty’s head.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1917 dime | $3 | $3.5 | $8 | $12 |
| 1917 S dime | $3 | $4 | $12 | $30 |
| 1917 D dime | $4.5 | $11 | $45 | $95 |
*by JM Bullion
On the other hand, some collectors found a similarity between Lady Liberty on the dime and the Victory’s face of Weinman’s statue in Baltimore. He designed this monument in 1909 in honor of Baltimore’s Union Soldiers and Sailors.
You can see Roman fasces with a battle-ax behind on the coin reverse. As you can guess, a bundle of rods symbolizes the unity necessary for the future power and strength of the new nation. A full-foliaged olive branch wrapped around it is an internationally recognized symbol of peace.
1917 Mercury Dime Value
1917 Mercury dime without a mint mark
Precisely 55,230,000 Mercury dimes were struck in Philadelphia in 1917. Their minimal value is $1.64 on the current coin market. In other words, you can buy the coin in horrible condition for at least the price of silver it contains.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Circulated | Uncirculated | MS 63 FB | MS 65 FB | |
| 1917 dime | $1 to $3 | $5 | $263 | $855 |
| 1917 S dime | $1 to $3 | $5 | $160 | $410 |
*by COIN HelpU
Most pieces in decent condition will be worth more since interest in collecting Mercury dimes is high nowadays. For instance, one PCGS graded 1917 MS Mercury dime in impeccable condition reached the auction record of $7,050.
1917 S Mercury dime
The San Francisco mint produced 27,330,000 of these dimes in 1917. According to the USA Coin Book, it is not hard to find a piece for $3 to $30, depending on its condition.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1917 dime | $1.65 | $2 | $4 | $27 |
| 1917 S dime | $1.65 | $2.3 | $15 | $60 |
| 1917 D dime | $2.35 | $13 | $44 | $107 |
*by CoinStudy
However, one PCGS graded 1917 S MS Mercury dime was sold at an auction for a record price of $12,075.
1917 D Mercury dime
In 1917, the Denver mint struck 9,402,000 Mercury dimes, but not many of them still exist. Therefore, collectors often spend years looking for one and pay hundred dollars, sometimes even thousands, to get one.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1917 dime | $2.25 to $2.75 | $3.5 to $4.25 | $8 to $9 | $418+ |
| 1917 S dime | $3.25 to $3.75 | $3.5 to $4.25 | $10.5 to $12 | $45+ |
| 1917 D dime | $4.5 to $5.25 | $8.5 to $10 | $29 to $34 | $100+ |
*by Coinflation
The most expensive PCGS graded 1917 D MS Mercury dime was a specimen sold at an auction for an impressive $30,550.
1917 Mercury Dime Rarities
Besides the relatively rare 1917 D Mercury dime, you can’t find any highly valuable and collectible error minted this particular year.
1917 Dime value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D |
| Good | $3.35 | $3.35 | $3.35 |
| Very good | $3.8 | $3.8 | $5.7 |
| Fine | $4.8 | $4.8 | $7.6 |
| Very fine | $7.6 | $7.6 | $14.3 |
| Extra fine | $9.5 | $14.3 | $28.5 |
| Uncirculated | $29 | $62 | $143 |
| BU | $166 | $428 | $1,045 |
| BU FB | $380 | $1,330 | $5,225 |
*by Hobbizine
1917 Mercury Dime Grading
As always, the coin condition will directly affect its value. Before buying a particular coin, each collector will always check the date, a mint mark, and overall condition.
The best option is to have your dime professionally examined, but you can roughly recognize its state on your own after thorough observation.
Uncirculated – Since this Mercury dime wasn’t in circulation, it is untouched and with minting luster. You can sometimes notice some toning on the surface but without any damage or sign of wear.
1917 Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D |
| Good | $2.6 | $2.6 | $5.4 to $6.9 |
| Very good | $4 to $4.9 | $4 to $4.8 | $6 to 9.7 |
| Fine | $4.4 to $5.3 | $4.4 to $6.5 | $13.5 to $19.5 |
| Very fine | $4.7 to $6.9 | $8.1 to $14.6 | $20.25 to $55 |
| Extra fine | $6.7 to $9.7 | $14.8 to $22.7 | $57 to $89 |
| AU | $10.8 to $25.9 | $28.3 to $65 | $94 to $140 |
| MS 60 | $28.3 to $34 | $81 to $97 | $128 to $148 |
| MS 61 | $33.7 to $40.5 | $108 to $130 | $156 to $187 |
| MS 62 | $40.5 to $48.6 | $156 to $187 | $195 to $224 |
| MS 63 | $57 to $68 | $182 to $218 | $228 to $262 |
| MS 64 | $80 to $96 | $240 to $277 | $416.5 to $478 |
| MS 65 | $162 to $195 | $390 to $448 | $858 to $972 |
| MS 66 | $358 to $411 | $715 to $822 | $1,500 to $1,720 |
| MS 67 | $812 to $934 | $1,880 to $2,250 | $5,000 to $5,750 |
*by Greysheet
Extra fine – This dime spent a limited period in circulation and has kept much of its shine and beauty. Such a coin has slight signs of wear, but its design is still untouched and sharp. You can notice light wear of hair wisps above Liberty’s eye, smoothness of wing details, and light scratches over the surface.
Fine – Since this dime spent a significant period in circulation, you could see noticeable wear over its surface. The Liberty’s hair braid extending from her forehead to chin line and central wing parts are flat and without sharp details. Most vertical lines on the reverse have merged over time.
1917 Full Bands Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D |
| MS 61 | $68 to $81 | $176 to $202 | $260 to $300 |
| MS 62 | $81 to $97 | $208 to $239 | $325 to $375 |
| MS 63 | $101 to $122 | $273 to $314 | $585 to $673 |
| MS 64 | $156 to $187 | $488 to $561 | $858 to $1,060 |
| MS 65 | $422 to $508 | $992 to $1,220 | $4,250 to $5,620 |
| MS 66 | $819 to $942 | $1,620 to $2,250 | $6,880 to $10,000 |
| MS 67 | $2,500 to $2,880 | $8,750 to $10,100 | $36,600 to $42,100 |
*by Greysheet
Good – Since this coin has been heavily worn, you can’t recognize most design parts. It is possible to see Liberty’s portrait and fasces in outline, while lettering has blended with the rim over time.
Plus, you will quickly notice heavy scratching and stain on the coin surface. Even though such a piece is affordable, most collectors will avoid it. However, it can be an excellent option for beginners and collectors on a budget.
Summary
Thanks to the silver it contains, the average 1917 dime is worth at least $1.64. However, this old coin is highly collectible, so its price will often exceed the minting value. Remember that only PCGS or NGC graded coins can reach the highest price.
