The Mercury dime (Winged Liberty head dime, Liberty head dime) is one of the most popular US coins ever minted. Most collectors want to include this set in their collections. Luckily, these pieces are still widely available and affordable, making them an excellent option for novices and numismatics on the budget.
The 1939 dime value is relatively low, although it was the last pre-war coin. Since these pieces produced in the three mints are not scarce, the only thing you should take care of when buying one for your collection is its condition. Unfortunately, most dimes were in circulation for years, and finding one in the mint state can be tricky.
1939 Mercury Dime History
The US Mint director Robert Woolley chose sculptor Adolph A. Weinman to design new dimes on March 3, 1916. He created a coin with Lady Liberty on the obverse with a Phrygian cap with the wings on her head.
Even though those wings symbolized the freedom of thought, most Americans found that image reminded them of the Roman god Mercury. Even today, you will rarely hear the coin’s original name, Winged Liberty head. For most collectors, the design is better known as the Mercury dime.
1939 Mercury dime |
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| Location | Year | Minted | Price |
| Philadelphia | 1939 | 67,740,000 | $4 |
| Philadelphia | 1939 proof | 9,321 | $500 |
| San Francisco | 1939 S | 10,540,000 | $5 |
| Denver | 1939 D | 24,394,000 | $4 |
| Total | / | 102,683,321 | / |
Besides a left-facing Lady Liberty profile based on a poet Wallace Stevens‘ wife, Elsie, you can see the date, small author’s initials, and saying IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse coin side. Above all is the most appreciated American word, LIBERTY.
1939 Mercury dime |
|
| Face value | 10 cents ($0.10) |
| Compound | 90% silver, plus 10% copper |
| Coin diameter | 0.70512 inches (17.91 mm) |
| Coin thickness | 0.07677 inches (1.95 mm) |
| Coin weight | 0.08037 ounces (2.5 g) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
You can see Roman fasces on the coin reverse that symbolizes strength and power. It is surrounded by an olive branch, an international symbol of peace, and the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The inscription the UNITED STATE OF AMERICA and the denomination ONE DIME are written along the edge.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1939 | 1939 S | 1939 D |
| Good | $2.1 | $2.1 | $2.1 |
| Very good | $2.7 | $2.7 | $2.7 |
| Fine | $3.2 | $3.2 | $3.2 |
| Very fine | $3.3 | $3.3 | $3.3 |
| Extra fine | $3.4 | $4.2 | $3.4 |
| AU | $5.3 | $13 | $5.8 |
| MS 60 | $8.3 | $26 | $8.3 |
| MS 65 | $27 | $47 | $31 |
| PR 65 | $444 | / | / |
*by USA Coin book
Most collectors consider the Mercury dimes the most beautiful and collectible American silver coins minted in the last century.
1939 Mercury Dime Type
1939 Mercury dime
The Philadelphia mint produced 67,740,000 Mercury dimes in 1939. These coins are pretty common, and you can find many in excellent condition for an affordable price.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1939 | $2.25 | $3 | $3.25 | $6 |
| 1939 S | $2.25 | $3 | $4 | $13 |
| 1939 D | $2.25 | $3 | $3.25 | $6 |
*by JM Bullion
Even though you can find the 1939 Mercury dime in good condition for only $2.5, most collectors choose pieces in a higher grade.
You need to set aside about $4.5 to $7 for an excellent coin. On the other hand, those in the mint state are worth up to $100. Only rare specimens in MS 68 grade can cost more, and you can purchase one for about $350 to $400.
1939 proof Mercury dime
The Philadelphia mint produced 9,321 proof Mercury dimes in 1939, and it is estimated that a couple of thousand pieces survived.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
|
| Quality | 1939 |
| PR 60 | $150 to $179 |
| PR 61 | $156 to $187 |
| PR 62 | $162 to $195 |
| PR 63 | $182 to $218 |
| PR 64 | $202 to $232 |
| PR 65 | $228 to $262 |
| PR 66 | $292 to $336 |
| PR 67 | $455 to $523 |
| PR 68 | $1,380 to $1,580 |
*by Greysheet
Their value is about $150 to $500, depending on the perfection degree. Only a few dimes are in PR 68 grade, and you need to pay up to $1,600 to get one.
1939 S Mercury dime
Precisely 10,540,000 Mercury dimes were struck in San Francisco in 1939, but experts from PCGS assume that only 20,000 still exist. Most of them are not expensive, and you can buy a piece in low grade for $2 to $5.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1939 | 1939 S | 1939 D |
| Good | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Fine | $2 | $2 | $4 |
| Very fine | $3 | $3 | $5 |
| Extra fine | $3 | $3 | $3 |
| About uncirculated | $8 | $75 | $12 |
| MS 63 FB | $15 | $149 | $20 |
*by COIN HelpU
However, those in the mint state will cost you $30 to $80. A top-grade MS 67 dime is worth $275, but a piece with a Full Band in the same grade reaches a whopping $3,000.
1939 D Mercury dime
In 1939, the Denver mint produced 24,394,000 Mercury dimes. Since these coins are abundant, their value is $2 to $20 in circulated conditions.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1939 | $1.6 | $1.75 | $2 | $5.4 |
| 1939 D | $1.6 | $1.75 | $2 | $4.95 |
| 1939 S | $1.6 | $1.75 | $2.3 | $19 |
*by CoinStudy
A piece in the mint state will cost you up to $75, but those in MS 68 grade are rare and more pricey.
1939 Mercury Dime Rarities and Key Dates
Full Bands Mercury dimes have crossbands of the faces on the coin reverse with complete horizontal lines. The original design was supposed to look like that, but the minting method was a limiting factor, and these lines were often interrupted.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1939 | $1.5 to $2 | $1.75 to $2.25 | $3 to $3.5 | $4.5+ |
| 1939 S | $1.5 to $2 | $1.75 to $2.25 | $3 to $3.5 | $4.5+ |
| 1939 D | $1.5 to $2 | $1.75 to $2.25 | $3 to $3.5 | $4.5+ |
*by Coinflation
These coins are always costly, and you can get a 1939 MS 68 FB Mercury dime for approximately $5,500, while the same coin minted in San Francisco is worth up to $12,000. Rare FB pieces in MS 69 grade minted in Denver can reach almost $9,000.
1939 Mercury Dime Grading
The 1939 Mercury dime is a collectible coin in high grades. Sending it to a professional company for estimating is an excellent option but questionable in this case, considering its low value. Therefore, you can grade your specimen by following official guidance.
Uncirculated – This dime didn’t spend a minute on the open market, so it was in near-perfect condition without any imperfections. You can see the original texture and luster while Liberty’s cheek and hair above her eye are untouched.
1939 Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1939 | 1939 S | 1939 D |
| Good | $2.4 | $2.4 | $2.4 |
| Very good | $2.5 to $2.5 | $2.5 to $2.5 | $2.5 to $2.5 |
| Fine | $2.9 | $2.9 | $2.9 |
| Very fine | $4 to $4.4 | $4 to $4.4 | $4 to $4.4 |
| Extra fine | $4.9 | $6.8 to $8.9 | $6.7 to $8.9 |
| AU | $5 to $6.9 | $8.1 to $22.7 | $8.1 to $22.7 |
| MS 60 | $8.1 to $9.7 | $24.3 to $29.2 | $24.3 to $29.2 |
| MS 61 | $8.1 to $9.7 | $25.6 to $30.8 | $25.6 to $30.8 |
| MS 62 | $8.1 to $10.8 | $27 to $32.40 | $27 to $ 32.4 |
| MS 63 | $9.4 to $12.1 | $29.7 to $35.6 | $29.7 to $35.6 |
| MS 64 | $17.5 to $21 | $36.4 to $43.7 | $35.1 to $42.1 |
| MS 65 | $23 to $29.7 | $40.50 to $54 | $37.8 to $45.4 |
| MS 66 | $40.5 to $48.6 | $68 to $81 | $47.2 to $57 |
| MS 67 | $81 to $97 | $234 to $273 | $61 to $73 |
| MS 68 | $338 to $390 | / | / |
*by Greysheet
Extra fine – After checking this piece in detail, you will notice light even wear. Since this coin type spent limited time in circulation, all design details are distinctive but a bit flat.
Fine – After spending some time on the open market, this coin has visible scratches and stains over the surface.
Despite numerous signs of wear, the coin has kept a well-defined image and inscriptions but without preserved design details. For instance, Liberty’s hair braid on the obverse and most vertical lines on the reverse are merged.
1939 Full Bands Mercury dime value* |
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| Quality | 1939 FB | 1939 S FB | 1939 D FB |
| MS 63 | $32.4 to $38.9 | $115 to $133 | $32.4 to $38.9 |
| MS 64 | $54 to $65 | $169 to $228 | $35.1 to $42.1 |
| MS 65 | $150 to $179 | $494 to $715 | $61 to $73 |
| MS 66 | $243 to $273 | $998 to $1,220 | $68 to $88 |
| MS 67 | $715 to $878 | $2,750 to $3,310 | $208 to $260 |
| MS 68 | $4,060 to $5,620 | $9,380 to $12,000 | $858 to $972 |
| MS 69 | / | / | $7,500 to $8,750 |
*by Greysheet
Good – This heavily worn dime has most of the design removed, and you can notice that Liberty’s portrait, fasces, and all inscriptions are only outlined. Plus, the coin rim often blends with the lettering.
Good is the worst grade for a collectible coin and is typically the most widespread. However, beginners and collectors on the budget will appreciate this piece.
Summary
Mercury dime’s collectors have an issue with the poor condition of most coins available on the market. Only rare pieces stayed in the mint state, so their prices are the highest. 1939 Mercury dime is not particularly scarce, and you can find one in decent condition for an acceptable price.
