1942 Dime Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

As a coin collector, you know that some coins are worth more than their face value; the 1942 Dime (or 1942 Mercury Dime) is one of those coins! This dime was minted when the United States was fully engaged in World War II, and resources were being conserved for the war effort. That’s why the 1942 Dime has a unique story to tell.

So, whether you’re a coin collector or just curious about the 1942 Dime, there’s a lot to learn and discover about this little coin that packs a big punch. So, let’s dive in and explore what makes the 1942 Dime special!

The 1942 Dime Details

Below is a summary of the coin’s information:

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
• Total mintage: Over 315 million
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

The 1942 Dime is a unique coin in the world of American numismatics. This 10-cent coin was minted when the country was at war and needed to conserve resources, explaining why its composition differs from other coins.

Instead of mostly copper, it comprises 90% silver and only 10% copper. The change was made to conserve copper for the war effort, and other military uses. Other technical details of the coin include a weight of 2.5 g and a 17.9 mm diameter.

The depiction of Lady Liberty on the obverse of the coin—assumed to be the Roman god Mercury—portrays her strength and grace as she gazes off to the left. She’s wearing a Phrygian crown, a symbol of victory and achievement, which adds to the design’s elegance.

The word “LIBERTY” is etched over her head, reminding us of one of America’s founding principles. While the year “1942” sits just below her neck, the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” is inscribed on the left, near the bottom of the coin.

A conspicuous monogram also displays “AW” on the coin in reference to the designer. The picture of Lady Liberty on the 1942 Dime was designed by Adolph A. Weinman (AW), a well-known American sculptor and medallist. The design has already appeared on various coins and is still one of American coinage’s most iconic and identifiable designs.

Adolph A. Weinman designed the reverse side of the 1942 Dime as well. It has a fasces surrounded by a leather strap, which depicts war and justice, and an olive branch, representing peace. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DIME” surround the design, while the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” sits towards the right.

The fasces and olive branches are positioned to form a triangle, a sign of stability and security. The design is simple and elegant, expressing the principles that the United States represents: liberty, peace, strength, and independence.

Even more interesting is that the 1942 Dime was struck at three distinct US mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. To establish where your 1942 Dime was created, each mint imprinted a distinctive mint mark near the year of mintage (1942 in this case). The Philadelphia and Denver mints utilized the letters “P” and “D,” respectively, while the San Francisco mint used an “S.”

Over 315 million 1942 Dimes were produced, making it a widespread coin that’s still commonly available today. Its silver content and historical significance make it a popular coin among collectors and precious metal investors.

So, if you stumble across a 1942 Dime, save it! It’s more than just a coin; it’s a piece of American history.

Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

The 1942 Dime Value Chart

Mint Mark	XF	MS60	MS65	MS68
1942 “P” No Mint Mark Dime Value	$3.65	$6.50 Full band: $8.50	$30 Full band: $45	$675 Full band: $6,250
1942 “D” Dime Value	$3.65	$6.50 Full band: $10	$30 Full band: $45–$50	$625 Full band: $1,300
1942 “S” Dime Value	$3.50	$7.50 Full band: $10	$35 to $37 Full band: $110	$500 Full band: $9,750
1942 42/41 “P” Dime Value	$650	$2,300 Full band: $3,150	$13,000 Full band: $52,000	$18,500 to $26,000 Full band: $90,000 (MS66)
1942 42/41 “D” Dime Value	$625	$2,800 Full band: $3,150	$12,000 Full band: $27,500 to $30,000	None Full band: $65,000 (MS67)

The 1942 Dime Value and Varieties Guides

This section will examine the different 1942 Dimes and their respective peculiarities.

1942 “P” No Mint Mark Dime Value

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: P
• Mintage: 205,432,329
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• $ Price: $2.50 to $4.15
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

If you’re into collecting dimes from the Philadelphia Mint during the war years, you might be interested in the 1942 (P) issue. Although dimes from this period often don’t have fully defined bands, the interesting part is that many 1942 Dimes were made and kept in rolls. Hence, you should have no trouble finding a decent one.

The NGC Price Guide says that as of February 2023, a 1942 Dime in the circulated condition is valued between $2.50 and $4.15. But here’s the exciting news: if your 1942 Dime is in pristine, uncirculated condition, it could be sold for as much as $4,000 on the open market! That’s a massive jump in value.

Likewise, a full band 1942 Dime could be worth up to $6,250 at a higher grade of MS68. So, if you have a 1942 Mercury Dime in excellent condition, it might be worth checking out what it could be worth.

1942 “D” Dime Value

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: D
• Mintage: 60,740,000
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• $ Price: $2.50 to $4.50
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

If you’re looking for a well-struck dime, the Denver Mint produced the most well-defined examples, with many having full bands. And here’s an interesting tidbit — over a dozen repunched mint mark varieties of the 1942-D dime abound, some of which are eye-catching.

If you’re into doubled-die varieties, the 1942 D dime isn’t too abundant, but one overdate type is incredibly popular among collectors. It’s so much in demand that it deserves a special mention!

The NGC Price Guide says that as of February 2023, a 1942 Mercury Dime in the circulated condition is worth between $2.50 and $4.50. However, get this: if your 1942 Dime is in pristine, uncirculated condition, it could sell for as much as $625 on the open market! That’s a pretty substantial difference.

1942 “S” Dime Value

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: S
• Mintage: 49,300,000
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• $ Price: $2.50 to $5.50
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

The 1942-S dime was a highly sought-after coin, and you can still find many examples today in mint state condition. However, many of these dimes have a soft strike in the center, with only a few having a sharp strike known as “Full Bands.”

Some dimes may also have bright fields due to over-polishing, which gives the coin a shiny appearance; however, this is typically not on both sides. There were two different types of S mintmarks used in 1942, the standard “Trumpet Tail S” and a larger “S” similar to the one used in 1928. Other exciting varieties to look out for include RPMs (repunched mint marks) and a minor DDR (double die reverse) variant.

In average circulated condition, the 1942 S dime is worth between $2.50 and $5.50. If you find one in immaculate, uncirculated condition, be prepared to be wowed by its value! These dimes sell for as high as $500 on the open market. That’s right, half a grand for a small piece of history in pristine condition.

If it’s in a minted state full band grade, it could be worth as high as $9,750 at MS68. Imagine holding a piece of history in your hands worth that much! Talk about an impressive find.

1942 42/41 D Dime Value

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: D
• Mintage: N/A
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• $ Price: $325 to $625
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

Now, to the 1942 D dime worth a special mention — the 1942 42/41 D dime. This dime’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it was created from two different impressions from obverse hubs of different dates. This resulted in imprints of figure 41 visible beneath the primary date.

You won’t believe the value of a 1942/41 Mercury Dime! According to the NGC Price Guide, a used 1942/41 Mercury Dime is worth anywhere from $325 to an impressive $2,350. However, it gets even more exciting!

If you come across one of these dimes in pristine, uncirculated condition, you could be in for a real treat. On the open market, these dimes are selling for as much as $16,000.

1942 42/41 (P) Dime Value

• Type: Mercury Dime
• Year of minting: 1942
• Mint: P
• Mintage: N/A
• Face Value: $0.10 (Ten cents)
• $ Price: $300 to $1,750
• Edge: Reeded
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse and reverse)
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Mass: 2.5 g

This coin was a hit when it was first released in 1943, but it’s a rare find today. The fast-paced wartime economy caused these coins to enter circulation quickly, making it tough to find any in the coveted “Mint State.”

However, the few surviving are truly special, having been found in rolls set aside in 1942. What sets this coin apart is its unique production process — the working die was struck twice using two different dated hubs, one from 1941 and the other from 1942. This overlap resulted in a one-of-a-kind overlapping date that collectors covet.

Gems of this variety are hard to come by, and owning one in any condition is a significant achievement for any collector. Its inclusion in popular coin albums in the 1960s only adds to its lasting appeal. Its circulated condition is worth between $300 and $1750, while in the uncirculated state, it’s valued at a staggering $26,000.

Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

The 1942 Dime History

The Mercury Dime is a unique and essential American coinage with a rich history and cultural significance.

The design process for the coin resulted from public dissatisfaction with previous coinage and was an effort by the US Mint to create a new, more aesthetically pleasing design. The design, created by Adolph A Weinman, features a woman’s profile on the obverse. This depiction has been widely speculated to represent Elsie Stevens, the wife of Wallace Stevens, who was a  lawyer, poet, and insurance executive.

However, the design wasn’t without controversy, as with the 1909 VDB Penny. Complaints about the prominence of Weinman’s monogram and a misattribution that Lady Liberty was a male figure were made.

Despite these controversies, the Mercury Dime was struck in large quantities and was widely circulated. Its design was changed in 1945 following the death of President Franklin Roosevelt and replaced with a design featuring the late President’s profile.

The 1942 Dime is a significant piece of American history and has a solid connection to World War II. It represents the sacrifices made during the war and the effort to conserve resources for the war effort.

The coin’s historical significance and connection to the war make it a highly sought-after piece for collectors. Its design and cultural significance also make it a valuable and fascinating part of American coinage and history.

1942 Dime Grading

The condition of a 1942 Dime determines its value, and the coin’s grading evaluates its level of wear and tear. Grading involves determining the coin’s state of preservation, which is vital for collectors.

Different grades are used to describe the condition of the 1942 Dime, ranging from Uncirculated (a pristine condition with no signs of wear) to Very Good (heavily worn with significant design details worn away). The grading can vary between different grading services and may be subjective. Hence, having the 1942 Dime professionally evaluated by a reputable grading service like the NGC or PCGS is recommended.

Some sets of these coins are also graded as “Full Band” or “Full Split Band” (FB). This means the three horizontal strap bands and two diagonal bands on the fasces sticks in the coin’s reverse are clearly outlined. Moreover, FB-graded 1942 Dimes usually command a higher value.

This video explains how to know the grade of your 1942 Dime. You can also check out this post on how to grade the 1942 Dime.

Lists of the 1942 Dime Errors

Have you ever seen a 1942 Dime that looked a little different from others you’ve seen before? That’s because some of these dimes have errors that make them unique. And, you know what they say, uniqueness equals rarity, which often means increased value!

Let’s see the most valued ones below.

1. 1942 Dime Overdate Error

Have you ever come across a 1942 Mercury Dime that appears to be from two different years? That’s the rare and highly sought-after 1942 overdate error.

The old date is partially visible when a coin is struck with a die from a prior year that wasn’t properly replaced. The underlying 1941 date may be seen on the 1942 Overdate Dime.

Collectors cherish this error because of its rarity and historical relevance. Only a few 1942 overdate dimes were produced by the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, making them an essential addition to any collection. An MS 67 FB grade of the 1942/1 D Dime is reportedly worth a mouthwatering $125,000, while an MS 66 FB 1942/1 (P) Dime sold for $120,000 in a 2018 auction.

2. Repunched Denver Mint Mark

On examining some 1942 “D” Dimes’ reverse, you’ll be greeted by an illusory imprint of the first mint mark just below the second “D” mint mark. These are termed repunched mint mark errors, and an AU55 grade may be worth up to $630 in auctions.

1942 Dime Value FAQ

Are all 1942 Dimes silver?

The 1942 Dime is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. 

Which dime is the most valuable?

The 1975 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime is the most valuable of the US Dimes. There were two of these dime coins, each worth around $500,000.

Conclusion

The 1942 Dime is a fascinating piece of history, and being an old coin, it has a certain charm that attracts coin collectors.

However, as you may know, the value of any coin depends on a few things, like how rare it is, how well it’s been kept over the years, and how much people want it. That’s why the value of a 1942 Dime can vary greatly — it could be worth just a few cents, or it could fetch several hundred dollars! It all depends on the coin’s condition.

So, if you seek an accurate value appraisal for your 1942 Dime, consulting a professional coin appraiser is always a good idea. They’ll be able to give you a much more precise estimate of its worth or enable you to add some extra zing to your collection!