According to most collectors, the Winged Liberty dime is the most beautiful piece of the US coinage. Interestingly, many novices start their new hobby with this set because of its historical and numismatic value.
You probably won’t have a problem finding almost all dates from this series. Most are easy to obtain and common due to bulk mintage, and only a few pieces are scarce. As always, the 1929 dime value primarily depends on its grade and the mint mark. Let’s see.
1929 Mercury Dime History
In 1916, the US mint released two coins of the same designer into circulation, the Winged Liberty dime and Walking Liberty half dollar. These coins replaced the existing Barber dime and half dollar.
1929 Mercury dime |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1929 | 25,970,000 |
| San Francisco | 1929 S | 4,730,000 |
| Denver | 1929 D | 5,034,000 |
| Total | / | 35,734,000 |
A German-born American sculptor Adolph A. Weinman chose Elsie Kachel Stevens, his female tenant, to model for the Liberty image. Her bust occupies the central part of the coin obverse.
Interestingly, the winged cap on her head is the reason for the mistakenly spread name Mercury dime. Many Americans noticed a resemblance to the Roman god Mercury, the protector of travelers, merchants, and messengers, and renamed a new coin.
1929 Mercury dime |
|
| Face value | $0.10 |
| Compound | 90% silver with copper |
| Coin weight | 0.08038 troy ounces (2.5 g) |
| Silver weight | 0.07234 troy ounces (2.25 g) |
| Coin diameter | 0.70472 inches (38.1 mm) |
| Coin thickness | 0.05315 inches (1.35 mm) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
The Winged Liberty symbolizes freedom of thought and speech, and you can see the word LIBERTY above her head. This silver coin has the designer’s initials next to Liberty’s neck, while the date is struck below her bust.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
|||
| Quality | 1929 | 1929 S | 1929 D |
| Good | $3.4 | $3.4 | $3.4 |
| Very good | $3.6 | $3.6 | $3.9 |
| Fine | $3.9 | $4.1 | $6.1 |
| Very fine | $6.1 | $6.1 | $8.6 |
| Extra fine | $6.4 | $12 | $18 |
| AU | $14 | $23 | $28 |
| MS 60 | $25 | $40 | $35 |
| MS 65 | $84 | $141 | $84 |
(USA Coin book)
Weinman managed to incorporate both motives of war and peace on the coin reverse. The first was a Roman fasces with a war ax, a symbol of strength and ultimate power. On the other hand, an olive branch wrapping around the fasces represents peace.
You can also see two stars standing at the beginning and end of the ONE DIME denomination. The designer included the traditional engravings, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, on the reverse.
1929 Mercury Dime Types
The total Mercury dime mintage in 1929 was 35,734,000, or slightly above the average for the series. Three mints produced this silver coin, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. Keep in mind that only a few dates in the series came with proof coins, but it was not the case with coins struck in 1929.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
||||
| Year | Good | Fine | Extra fine | Mint state |
| 1929 | $3 | $3.5 | $6 | $12 |
| 1929 S | $3 | $3.7 | $10 | $20 |
| 1929 D | $3 | $5 | $15 | $24 |
(JM Bullion)
1929 Mercury dime
The Philadelphia mint struck coins without the mint mark until 1980, and you can expect that the 1929 Mercury dime lacks this sign. The total Philadelphia mintage was 25,970,000, making this piece pretty common. For instance, you can buy an uncirculated specimen for under $20.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
|||
| Quality | 1929 | 1929 S | 1929 D |
| Good | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Fine | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Very fine | $3 | $3 | $3 |
| Extra fine | $10 | $15 | $10 |
| AU | $19 | $38 | $25 |
| MS 63 FB | $50 | $84 | $64 |
(COIN HelpU)
As you know, most collectors search for dimes in the mint state. Their values start at around $50 and can reach a significant amount, depending on the grade. In 2019, one collector bought the 1929 MS 67 dime for $2,468 at auction.
1929 S Mercury dime
All 4,730,000 Mercury dimes struck in the San Francisco mint in 1929 went into circulation. That makes rare saved coins in the mint state highly desirable and costly. The most expensive 1929 S FB dime in an MS 67+ grade reached $15,600 at auction in 2019.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
||||
| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1929 | $1.8 | $2.2 | $3.4 | $21 |
| 1929 S | $1.8 | $2.2 | $4.5 | $35 |
| 1929 D | $1.8 | $2.6 | $11 | $22 |
(CoinStudy)
You won’t have any problems recognizing the San Francisco dimes from others with the same date since they have the S mint mark on the reverse. The mint engraved it next to the E letter in the denomination.
1929 D Mercury dime
The Denver dime mintage in 2019 was 5,034,000 coins. These coins with the D mint mark on the reverse have a slightly higher value than the other two coin types struck this year.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
||||
| Date | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1929 | $1.7 to $2.2 | $2.2 to $2.7 | $5 to $6+ | $18+ |
| 1929 S | $2.2 to $2.7 | $3.5 to $4.2 | $8 to $9 | $25+ |
| 1929 D | $2.2 to$2.7 | $3.5 to $4.2 | 12.5 to $14 | $20+ |
(Coinflation)
Most dealers will pay $10 to $15 for an extra-fine coin, but those in the mint state are worth more. The auction record of $29,900 went to one almost perfect 1929 D MS 68 CAC Mercury dime in 2010.
1929 Mercury Dime Variations
As with other coins, dedicated collectors look for well-preserved and rare Mercury dimes. Double-struck dimes appear on the market occasionally, and there is speculation on internet forums about the 1929 S DDO Mercury dime’s existence.
The key rarity in the Mercury dime series is Full Band coins. The mints produced them with multiple strikes on the reverse, resulting in the particularly intense band motif.
Such dimes are worth much more than regular pieces, and one 1929 MS 68 FB Mercury dime won the $8,625 record price at auction in 2009. On the other hand, you can obtain a lower grade FB dime for only $200.
Mercury Dime Series
As I have already mentioned, the Winged Liberty collection has historical and numismatic values, which grow as time pass. The minimal 1929 Mercury dime value equals its silver melt value, meaning you can sell it for at least $1.79 on the current market.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
|||
| Quality | 1929 | 1929 S | 1929 D |
| Good | $1.8 | $2.1 | $2.5 |
| Very good | $2.5 | $2.3 | $2.5 |
| Fine | $2.9 | $3.3 | $2.5 |
| Very fine | $2.9 | $3.9 | $4.3 |
| Extra fine | $ 4.1 | $5.9 | / |
(Numista)
Nowadays, you can buy a complete set in good grade for around $200. However, finding all dates with an MS 67 rating with the FB lines raises the collection value to an impressive $786,620.
1929 Mercury Dime Grading
Comparing two 1929 Mercury dimes is challenging, especially for coins in the mint state. The few minor differences between MS 60 and MS 67 states are unrecognizable to the naked eye, but they mean the difference in value by several hundred dollars.
Uncirculated – The 1929 Mercury dime that never went into circulation is a scarce and highly desirable piece. Its design is intact, and you can notice the original luster on its surface. Liberty’s hair and face lines are clear, and it is possible to see the olive branch on the reverse up to the last detail.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
|||
| Quality | 1929 | 1929 S | 1929 D |
| Good | $2.1 | $2.1 | $2.1 |
| Very good | $2.1 | $2.1 | $2.1 |
| Fine | $2.2 | $2.2 | $2.2 |
| Very fine | $3.1 to $3.2 | $3.1 to $3.2 | $3.1 to $3.2 |
| Extra fine | $5 to $5.5 | $5 to $5.5 | $5 to $5.5 |
| AU | $7 to $14 | $7 to $18 | $7 to $16 |
| MS 60 | $16 | $25 | $20 |
| MS 61 | $18 | $26 | $20 |
| MS 62 | $22 | $28 | $21 |
| MS 63 | $25 | $30 | $22 |
| MS 64 | $27 | $53$ | $29 |
| MS 65 | $52 | $115 | $53 |
| MS 66 | $130 | $200 | $120 |
| MS 67 | $285 | $575 | $400 |
| MS 68 | / | / | $2,000 |
(Greysheet)
Extra fine – This coin is probably slightly discolored, and there are some scratches on its surface. If you run your finger over Liberty’s cheek, you will notice slight flatness. However, the mint mark, date, and initials are readable, making it desirable among collectors.
Fine – The smoothness is the first thing you will notice on this coin. It was in circulation for years, and the feathers on Liberty’s cap started to disappear.
You can still recognize her face, the date, and letterings, but they are started fading. The olive branch on the reverse is smooth, while all the details on the Roman fasces are gone.
1929 Mercury dime value* |
|||
| Quality | 1929 | 1929 S | 1929 D |
| Good | $3.3 | $3.3 | $3.3 |
| Very good | $3.6 | $3.6 | $3.8 |
| Fine | $3.8 | $4.8 | $4.8 |
| Very fine | $4.8 | $7.6 | $7.6 |
| Extra fine | $5.7 | $11.4 | $17.1 |
| Uncirculated | $19 | $36 | $29 |
| Brilliant uncirculated | $67 | $119 | $76 |
| Brilliant uncirculated FB | $190 | $570 | $238 |
(Hobbizine)
Good – The most affordable 1929 Mercury dimes are always heavily damaged and scratched. You can notice merging the coin rim with letters while the most delicate design details are gone. The Liberty’s image is visible, but the feathers, cap, and her hair are one area.
Summary
There are three types of 1929 Mercury dime, and the one with the D mint mark is the most valuable. However, the prime price indicator is a coin’s grade. The price of lower-grade pieces is slightly over their silver melt value, but those in the mint state can reach hundreds of dollars.
