The 1941 Dime is a valuable coin that Adolph A. Weinman designed. It was manufactured at the Philadelphia Mint, the San Francisco Mint, and Denver mint when the US joined World War 11 after the Pearl Harbor attack. While some of these dimes have mintmarks, others don’t, depending on where they were produced.
So, what is the 1941 value? 90% of the 1941 Dime comprises silver, and the rest is copper. The current minimum value of this coin is $1.74, which is the price of its silver composition. Even so, its value is affected by factors such as mintmarks, condition, and grading.
If you’re intrigued by this coin and would love to learn more about it, read this article to the end.
What is the 1941 Dime?
The 1941 Dime is a coin the United States produced at three of its mints: Denver (45,634,000 dimes), San Francisco (43,090,000 dimes), and Philadelphia (175,106,557 dimes). It’s a part of Adolph A. Weidman’s Winged Liberty Head dime series that ran from 1916 to 1945 after his design won a competition conducted by the Treasury Department in 1916.
The minting of this coin began in 1941, the year of the United States’ entry into World War 11. Its demand was super high then, thanks to the economic boom that the war fueled. Some collectors consider the 1941 Dime valuable because of its significance in history.
The metal composition of the 1941 Dime is 90% silver and 10% copper. These coins were no longer minted after 1945 because the Roosevelt Dime replaced them. But their high value as silver bullion and numismatic coins makes them one of the most sought-after coins nowadays.
Features of the 1941 Dime
Here are the features of the 1941 Mercury Dime to help you identify it easily:
Portrait
Adolph A. Weinman engraved the image of Lady Liberty on the 1941 Mercury Dime, as with all Mercury dimes he designed.
Obverse (head) Features
On the head of the 1941 Mercury dime, you’ll find a profile bust portrait of Lady Liberty with a close-fitting Phrygian cap. Weinman designed it with wings as a symbol of freedom of thought. Liberty resembled Mercury, the Roman god, and some people could not even tell the two apart. This resulted in the birth of the term “Mercury dime,” which most Americans used to refer to the coin instead of its real name, “Winged Liberty Head.”
It’s easy to see the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” on the left side of Lady Liberty’s neck. To her neck’s right side is a “W.” Some people confuse this with a mint mark, but it is Weinman’s mark. Just below the neck is the year “1941” to indicate when this coin was minted. It also has the word “LIBERTY” etched on about two-thirds of the upper part of its rim.
Reverse (tail) Features
If you closely look at the 1941 Mercury Dime, you’ll see a Roman fasces (an ax sheathed in sticks to make its handle stronger) with an olive branch. It is a symbol of strength, unity, and authority, while the latter symbolizes peace. On the upper part of the 1941 Mercury dime’s tail is the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and on the lower side, you’ll find the denomination “ONE DIME.”
Mintmark
You can spot the mintmark of the 1941 Mercury dime on the coin’s reverse side, near its bottom. The mintmark was determined by where the coin was produced. For instance, the dimes made at the Denver mint have a “D.” Those minted at the San Francisco mint bear an “S,” but those struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which are the rarest, don’t have a mintmark.
Slogans Written on the 1941 Mercury Dime
“IN GOD WE TRUST”
Metal Used
Silver and copper were used to manufacture the 1941 Mercury dime.
Weight and Dimensions
The 1941 Mercury Dime came with the same weight and dimensions as all the Weinman’s Mercury dime series coins. Its diameter is 17.8mm, and it weighs 2.5 grams, 2.05g being silver.
Value of the 1941 Dime
According to the USA Coin Book, a circulated 1941 Mercury dime in average condition is worth around $2.72. However, this is not the value of every 1941-dime available today. The worth of these coins is also affected by elements such as their grading and condition.
Where you purchase your dime could also determine the price you pay for it. Pawn shops and online stores set different prices for these coins. If they did not come easily, expect them to be more expensive.
The Denominational Value of the 1941 Dime
The denominational or face value of the 1941 Mercury dime is $0.10.
Melt Value (Weight in Metal)
As of this writing, the melt value of the 1941 Mercury dime is $1.74. This is the bare minimum value of this coin, equivalent to the worth of the silver used to make it. This worth is determined using the silver spot price, which is $24.06 per ounce.
Note that the melt value of 1941 dimes is always lower than their numismatic value, regardless of their grade.
How much is the 1941 Dime at the Pawn Shop?
Many pawnshops today collect the 1941 Mercury dime because of its interesting history. When setting its price, they consider its current condition. For instance, 1941 (D) coins with the extremely fine condition can cost about $3.25.
Standard Value of the 1941 Dime
The price tag of a 1941 dime in fine condition without a mintmark reads about $3. An uncirculated one with a mint state grade can be worth as much as $34.
Comparison Table Showing the Value of the 1941 Mercury Dime
| Where 1941 Mercury Dime was Minted | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| Philadelphia mint (no mint mark) | $2.25 | $3 | $3.25 | $5 |
| San Francisco Mint (S) | $2.25 | $3 | $3.25 | $5 |
| Denver Mint (D) | $2.25 | $3 | $3.25 | $6 |
Factors that influence the value of the 1941 Dime Coin
The melt value of a 1941 dime is critical, but it’s never the ultimate determiner of the real value of this coin. Check out the most important factors that influence this dime’s value.
Rarity
The rarer a coin is, the higher its value. Generally, Mercury dimes are popular, but the fact that they’re no longer manufactured means they are not as common as other coins. Therefore, they may be worth a lot more, especially if they are mint error coins.
Grade
The condition of a 1941 dime determines its grade. If a coin is graded as “good,” it’s in poor shape due to being in circulation (used) for a long time. A “fine” 1941 dime has some small imperfections, but it’s more appealing than the good one. One that is “extremely fine” is in great condition because it has only been used for a short while.
When a 1941 dime is in “mint state,” it looks as good as new and is more valuable than all others. Typically, the value of Mercury dimes rises with their condition. The better they are, the more they’ll cost.
Misstruck/ Error Coin
Error coins are those with “mistakes” because they are misstruck at the mint. The 1942 overdate error is common with the 1941 Mercury dimes made at the Denver and Philadelphia mints. Instead of having a 1 at their ends, they come with a 1 and 2, which means they were mistakenly struck with two dies.
An uncirculated coin with this error could be worth as much as $1,500 today. Circulated misstruck 1941 dimes cost about $500.
How New and Clean the Coin Is
How new or clean is the 1941 dime? A circulated coin is not new, meaning that it has been used to perform various transactions over time. This dime has signs of wear and therefore has a lower value than a new or uncirculated coin whose worth is estimated to be between $5 – $5.17.
FAQ
Why is a 1941 dime rare?
The 1941 Mercury dime is scarce because it was minted in 1941, and its production had ended by 1945. US residents no longer use it, and it can only be availed by enthusiastic collectors who kept them.
Which material makes the 1941 dime?
Silver (90%) and Copper (10%) were used to make the 1941 Mercury dime.
Where can I find the 1941 dime today?
If you want to purchase the 1941 dime today, visit some e-commerce sites such as Amazon. You could also find this coin at pawnshops.
How can I identify a 1941 dime?
It’s pretty easy to identify a 1941 Mercury dime by looking at its features. On this coin’s head is Lady Liberty’s winged portrait. She wears a close-fitting Phrygian cap. Watch out for the slogan “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the year “1941,” and the word “LIBERTY,” which have all been engraved on the coin. You can also look at its tail that features Roman fasces and the names “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DIME.”
Are all 1941 dimes worth the same?
No. Not all 1941 dimes come with the same value. Some are more expensive than others, depending on the condition they’re currently in, grading, and the mint marks they bear. The rarity of a particular 1941 Mercury dime also comes into play when determining its worth.
So, is the 1941 Dime a worthy collection?
If you’re an avid numismatist, you should consider getting the 1941 Dime. It deserves a place in your collection because of its rarity and historical significance. How much it’ll cost you could be affected by features such as grading.
