Mercury dimes are among the most beautiful American coins produced in the 20th century’s first half. Although no longer made, the Mercury dime popularity is not declining and is still in high demand among collectors. However, most Mercury dimes are not particularly costly despite their popularity.

Collectors value uncirculated coins the most, especially because the 1936 Dime value is low, and they can find excellent pieces at an affordable price. However, some specimens can be worth more, depending on their condition, the mint mark, and possible errors.

 

1936 Mercury Dime History

1936 Mercury Dime History
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The US Mint started producing Mercury dimes in 1916, according to Adolph Weinman‘s beautiful design. That year, the Treasury Department announced a competition for a conceptual design solution to replace the previous Barber dimes.

1936 Mercury dime

Location Year Minted
Philadelphia 1936 87,500,000
Philadelphia 1936 proof 4,130
San Francisco 1936 S 9,210,000
Denver 1936 D 16,132,000
Total / 112,846,130

Weinman never revealed who the model for the Lady Liberty bust was. However, there were various speculations that the model was Elsie Stevens. She was lawyer Wallace Stevens’s wife, who rented an apartment from the sculptor.

1936 Mercury dime

Face value 10 cent ($0.10)
Compound 90% silver with copper
Coin weight 0.08037 troy ounces (2.5 g)
Silver weight 0.07234 troy ounces (2.25 g)
Coin diameter 0.7051 inches (17.91 mm)
Coin thickness 0.0768 inches (1.95 mm)
Edge Reeded
Shape Round

The coin obverse design depicts a Lady Liberty bust facing left, with a Phrygian cap and wings on her head. You can read the inscription LIBERTY on the upper rim, while the minting date is placed below the Liberty bust. Finally, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is on the left coin side.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Quality 1936 1936 S 1936 D
Good $2.2 $2.2 $2.2
Very good $2.8 $2.8 $2.8
Fine $3.3 $3.3 $3.3
Very fine $3.4 $3.4 $3.9
Extra fine $3.8 $3.8 $6.4
AU $6.8 $14 $17
MS 60 $12 $27 $28
MS 65 $35 $40 $63
PR 65 $1,594 / /

*by USA Coin book

You can notice that the coin reverse is extremely interesting. It shows the Roman fascia with an olive branch surrounding it from behind. To the right of the fascia is the saying E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The country’s name, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, is placed along the upper coin rim, while the denomination ONE DIME is on its bottom.

 

1936 Mercury Dime Types

In 1936, three mints minted Mercury dime, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Nearly 113,000,000 specimens were minted by these mints that year.

1936 Mercury dime

1936 Mercury dime

The 1936 Mercury dimes without a mint mark are undoubtedly from the Philadelphia mint. This mint minted 87,500,000 coins that year. Unfortunately, they have no significant value on the current coin market due to the high mintage.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Quality 1936 1936 S 1936 D
Good $1.5 to $2 $1.5 to $2 $1.5 to $2
Fine $1.75 to $2.25 $1.75 to $2.25 $1.75 to $2.25
Very fine $3 to $3.5 $3 to $3.5 $3 to $3.5
Uncirculated $4.5+ $4.5+ $4.5+

*by Hobbizine

That is why this coin in good condition can be yours for about $2. Interestingly, even a piece with an MS 67 rating is not pricey, and you can buy it for a little over $110.

1936 proof Mercury dime

1936 proof Mercury dime

The US Mint resumed proof coins production in 1936, which it discontinued in 1916 due to reduced interest from collectors. The Philadelphia mint minted only 4,130 proof Mercury dimes in 1936, making them valuable.

If you want to add one of these pieces in high grade to your collection, you will need to set aside $550 to $3,000 for it. The final price will primarily depend on its rating.

1936 S Mercury dime

1936 S Mercury dime

With just 9,210,000 minted Mercury dimes, the San Francisco mint produced the fewest specimens that year. You can quickly recognize this coin by the S mark on the reverse.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Quality 1936 1936 D 1936 S
Good $2 $2 $2
Fine $2 $2 $2
Very fine $3 $3 $3
Extra fine $3 $3 $8
AU $10 $18 $18
MS 63 with full bands $18 $47 $25

*by Coin HelpU

Despite the small number of minted coins, their value on the market is not significant. You can buy a piece in good condition for about $2, while a dime with an MS 67 rating is a bit more expensive and will cost you about $200.

1936 D Mercury dime

1936 D Mercury dime

The Denver also participated in the Mercury dimes production in 1936. This mint made 16,132,000 coins with the D mint mark.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Year Quality
Good Fine Extra fine Uncirculated
1936 $2.25 $3 $3.5 $7
1936 S $2.25 $3 $3.5 $13
1936 D $2.25 $3 $6 $16

*by JM Bullion

If you want to add this dime to your collection, a piece in good condition will cost you about $2. However, you will need a little more money, around $410, for a specimen with an MS 67 rating.

 

1936 Mercury Dime Rarities and Key Dates

1936 Mercury Dime Rarities and Key Dates

The Full Bands label for Mercury dime refers to the coin reverse design. It shows the separation on the strip that wraps the bundle of sticks and the ax, especially in the middle.

1936 Full Bands Mercury dime value*

Quality 1936 1936 S 1936 D
MS 62 / / $54 to $62
MS 63 $31 to $37.26 $41.85 to $50 $94 to $109
MS 64 $36.45 to $47.25 $65 to $78 $130 to $169
MS 65 $88 to $128 $122 to $140 $247 to $284
MS 66 $130 to $154 $162 to $195 $273 to $314
MS 67 $403 to $500 $468 to $572 $780 to $897
MS 68 $2,750 to $3,250 $15,000 to $18,000 $7,500 to $8,620

*by Greysheet

Most collectors prefer to choose Mercury dime with this label because it shows a strong strike on the coin surface, unlike other pieces in the series. However, those specimens are more an exception than a rule.

Some of these Mercury dimes can be costly. Their price ranges from $2,750 to $18,000, depending on the mint mark and grade.

 

1936 Mercury Dime Grading

1936 Mercury Dime Grading

When you start evaluating a coin, you first need to determine if it has the mint mark. The next step is to check its condition. Every collector wants to make sure that a dime added to their collections is of the highest quality possible.

For that reason, they often send coins to an authorized company for evaluation. However, you can do this yourself by following the coin characteristics typical for each grade.

Uncirculated – The 1936 Mercury dime with this rating never went from hand to hand. Therefore, you can see the original shine on its surface without any changes in the texture. As expected, a coin with this rating has the highest value on the market.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Year Quality
Good Fine Extra fine Uncirculated
1936 $1.8 $1.9 $2.14 $6.9
1936 S $1.8 $1.9 $2.14 $21
1936 D $1.8 $1.9 $3.3 $24

*by CoinStudy

Extra fine – The coin rated in this way spent a short time in circulation. Although it looks intact at first glance, a closer check will show that the Liberty’s hair near her eye is slightly flattened. Plus, feathers are smooth in some areas.

Fine – This Dime was in circulation for a long time and has suffered some damage during that period. Although you can notice signs of wear on its surface, this coin is in decent condition, given its age. You can typically see partial flattening on the relief, particularly on Liberty’s hair.

1936 Mercury dime value*

Quality 1936 1936 S 1936 D
Good $2.5 $2.8 $2.8
Very good $2.55 to $2.6 $2.9 to $3 $2.9 to $2.97
Fine $3 $3.38 $3.4
Very fine $4.2 to $4.5 $4.19 to $4.5 $4.2 to $4.5
Extra fine $5 $6.75 to $9.7 $9.72 to $11.3
AU $5.2 to $6.95 $9.45 to $25.9 $12.15 to $27.6
MS 60 $9.45 to $9.7 $27 to $32.4 $28.35 to $34
MS 61 $9.45 to $9.7 $28.35 to $34 $31 to $37.6
MS 62 $9.45 to $10.8 $29.7 to $35.6 $33.75 to $40.5
MS 63 $12.15 $32.4 to $38.9 $37.8 to $45.4
MS 64 $17.55 to $21 $33.75 to $40.5 $44.55 to $53
MS 65 $22.95 to $29.7 $35.1 to $42.1 $54 to $65
MS 66 $47.25 to $57 $74 to $89 $88 to $105
MS 67 $94 to $113 $169 to $203 $358 to $411

*by Greysheet

Good – This assessment shows that the dime was in circulation for a very long time. On its surface are noticeable scratches and significant damage. In some cases, Liberty’s portrait is a barely visible outline with only a few details, and the letters in the inscriptions are scarcely visible.

 

Summary

The 1936 Mercury dime value depends on several factors. In the first place is this 100-year-old coin’s preservation. The mint mark also affects the coin value, plus you should calculate the silver value on the current precious metal market. Remember that this piece has both collectible and bullion value.

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