The 1940 Mercury dime, which was struck through the first part of the twentieth century, is one of the most attractive currencies made by the US mint.
Expect the dime price at around $1.65 in average condition, with a certified mint state (MS+) fetching as much as $300 at auction. The average is in similar form to other 1940 coins, and mint state means that it has been certified MS+ by one of the leading coin grading organizations.
This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about the 1940-dime value.
What is the 1940 Dime?
1949-Dime Value Summary
- Type: Mercury Dime
- Year: 1940
- Face Value: 0.10 USD
- Total Produced: 65,350,000 coins
- Silver Weight: .0723 oz.
- Silver Content: 90%
- Silver Melt: $1.65
1940 Dime History
The United States Mint has been in charge of coin manufacturing since its foundation in the 18th Century. The Mint began as a modest organization creating coinage solely for the newly independent US for generating the US currency and the currencies of other countries across the world.
The 1940 Dime, also known as The Winged Liberty Head dime, was designed by Adolph Weinman and was given that name because the obverse portrayal of a youthful Liberty was mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.
The Mercury Dime, which was struck through the first part of the twentieth century, is one of the most attractive coins made by the US Mint. Although this coin is no longer being manufactured, it is still highly valued by collectors around the world.
Reason for minting
The quarter, dime, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Barber Charles E had been in circulation for 25 years by 1916. The Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, could replace them without Congressional approval.
Officials at the Mint believed the designs needed to be updated, so they held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his job for 36 years, competed. Weinman chose the designs for the dime and half dollar.
Although the new dime’s design was praised for its beauty, the Mint modified it after finding that vending machine manufacturers were having trouble making it operate in their machines.
Mintage
The Mint produced the 1940 dime in the United States without a mint mark. The 1940 D and the 1940 S both have a mint mark which you can find on the reverse side of the coin.
Features of the 1940 Dime
The 1940 dime was minted at Philadelphia, PA. It was designed by Engraver: Adolph A Weinman.
Obverse side
Weinman is thought to have used Elsie Stephen, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens as the model in the obverse side of the coin. The woman is facing on the left. There are writings ‘IN GOD, WE TRUST and the year’ 1940’.
Reverse side
The reverse side of the coin features fasces, which represents unity and strength, as well as an olive branch, which represents peace. There is also an “S” mintmark for San Francisco and a “D” for Denver. If your coin doesn’t have a mintmark, it means that it is the general mercury dime made in Philadelphia.
Metal used
The metal was composed of 90% Silver – 10% Copper. The total weight of the coin is 2.5 grams. The diameter of the coin is 17.9 mm.
1940 Dime Value
In December 2020, the Legend Rare Coin Auctions firm bought the coin at $14,688. These statistics show that the coin is still in demand. The face value of the coin is $0.10. This is equivalent to 1 cent. The silver melt value of the dime is approximately $1.65 today. The value of the coin also depends on the silver content of the dime, which in this case is $3 00. At the pawnshop, the coin is worth $2.00 in an average condition. However, the value varies among the three different types of 1940 dimes.
The standard value of the 1940 dime depends on the condition and type of the dime. This is approximately $1.76 for the finely preserved coin, $1.98 for exceptionally, preserved and $4.66 for the uncirculated dime. The table below will enable you to understand if asked to pay for a 1940 Mercury Dime, depending on its type and condition.
A comparison table showing the value of different 1940 Mercury dimes.
| Condition of the dime | 1940 Mercury Dime | 1940 Mercury Dime (D) | 1940 Mercury Dime (S) |
| Good | $1.65 | $1.76 | $1.65 |
| Fine | $1.76 | $1.76 | $1.76 |
| Extremely fine | $1.98 | $1.98 | $1.98 |
| Uncirculated | $4.66 | $5.46 | $5.89 |
| Grade Ms 65 auction | $30 | $35 | $35 |
| Quantity minted | 65,350,000 | 21,198,000 | 21,560,000 |
| Location minted | Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
Numismatic vs Intrinsic value
Numismatists are the type of people that obsess over the small details, particularly when it comes to coins. Intrinsic value is the value reached by basic objective assumptions without analyzing the present trading market.
Because coin quality is essential, collectors scrutinize every coin’s detail, seeking even the tiniest flaws.
According to the logic behind this level of examination, only well-preserved pieces are preferred to be part of the valuable collections.
Even in bad condition, the 1940 dime is nevertheless worth $0.37 more than its inherent value of silver content of $1.63, making it more valuable to a collector than to a silver buyer.
Coins with a higher collector value could be a superior long-term investment. Even if metal prices fall, you’ll still have a coin that numismatists want.
Factors that influence the value of the 1940 Mercury Dime
Sometimes, people will take their dimes to professional organizations for grading, but this is not something that everyone can do.
The grading area below might help you figure out how much your 1940-dime is worth. The condition of your coin is determined by representations of dimes in various states of damage.
Uncirculated Dime: A dime that was never circulated and instead was preserved in a safe place immediately after production. These coins will have no evidence of wear and will have all of their images and inscriptions intact as if they were newly minted. As you may have predicted, Uncirculated Mercury Dimes are the most sought because of their stunning beauty.
Extremely good: This condition is characterized by very light wear. The design elements are all quite different. Close inspection reveals the flatness of formerly rounded features. The appearance of dimes in excellent condition is crisp and clear.
Fine: This particular grade is given to coins that have been in circulation for some time but have not sustained significant deterioration as a result. While scratches will be visible without difficulty, the imagery and inscriptions on the coin’s face may have been retained. These coins are still in high demand since they are exceptionally well preserved for their age.
Good: The portrait has been reduced to simply an outline with less detail left after many years of use. On both the front and back, the rim is starting to blend in with the lettering. These dime values are near the low end of the 1940-dime value range.
Mint
In addition, the value of 1940 dimes varies based on the Mint that produced the coin. Denver and San Francisco made dimes, with mintmarks on the coin’s reverse side, identifying each one of them. These two are worth more than the 1940 dime without a mintmark.
Rarity
The scarcity of your coin’s exact type is what determines its price. The rarer your coin is, the more the value. The Mercury dime S is rare, hence making it more valuable.
Mistruck/ error coin
A misstruck or error coin is a dime that differs from other samples in some way as it leaves the mint. A 1940 Mercury dime with part of its inscription missing, for example, would be regarded as a mistake and would be worth more than other coins of similar quality. Examine for indicators such as lamination splits and die scratches on the coin’s surfaces to see if it’s mistruck or has a minting fault
FAQ
Which 1940 mercury dime is worth the most?
The 1940 Mercury S dime is the most valuable among the three.
How much is a 1940 mercury dime worth?
In fine condition, the 1940 coin with no mint mark is valued at roughly $3. The value is approximately $3.25 in extremely fine condition.
The price of coins with an MS 60 grade in the uncirculated condition is roughly $7. Buyers can purchase MS 65 uncirculated coins for approximately $30 at an auction.
What is a mintmark on the 1940 mercury dime?
On the backside of the Mercury Dime, to the left of the fasces and to the right of the ‘E’ in ONE, is the mintmark.
Is the 1940 Dime worth it?
Yes. The 1940 dime is in three valuable forms. The Dime S is the most valuable for its rarity and mintage. The face value of the 1940 dime is $0.10, which is way less than the standard value, which is around $2.00. The coins in the best condition will sell for the best price. If you have any questions regarding the value of the 1940 dime, talk to us!
