The US Mint produced ten-cent silver Mercury dimes from 1916 to 1945. The coin got its name after a Liberty on its obverse that reminded people of Mercury, the Roman god. Be prepared that Mercury dime values significantly vary, depending on the year of production and each coin condition.
Mercury Dimes
Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed Mercury (Liberty Head dime, Winged Liberty Head) dimes minted from 1916 to 1945. This beautiful dime series is the most collectible among numerous American silver coins in the 20th century.
You can recognize a left-facing Lady Liberty profile with a winged cap on her head on the obverse. Some experts believe that the design is based on Elsie, a poet Wallace Stevens‘ wife. Since the coin’s appearance reminds of the Roman god Mercury, it is better known as Mercury dime.
The US Mint produced this coin from 1916 to 1931 (early dates) and 1934 to 1945 (later dates). The mintage stopped from 1932 and 1933 during the Great Depression. The later dates are common in all grades, including the mint state.
Mercury dime Chart |
|
| Face value | 10 cents ($0.1) |
| Compound | 90% silver and 10% 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) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Keep in mind that you can also find Mercury dime minted as a gold commemorative, centennial gold coin in 2016. Although it features the original Winged Liberty design, this coin contains 99.99% fine 24 karats instead of silver.
It is slightly different and weighs 0.09999 troy ounces (3.11 g), with a diameter of 0.6496 inches (16.5 mm). The US Mint produced a limited series of 125,000 gold dimes this year.
Mercury Dime Values
Regular dimes
Mercury dime values significantly vary, depending on the minting date, a mint mark, and its condition. Most coins from the early period are worth more, while those from later dates are less expensive.
Mercury dimes in a good state will cost you $2.23 to $15. Those in very good condition are worth $2.79 to $17, while you need to pay approximately $3.32 to $29 for those in fine condition.
A few dates are worth more:
- 1916 D costs $1,107 in a good, $1,672 in very good, and $2,892 in fine condition
- 1921 P costs $73 in a good, $90 in very good, and $145 in fine condition
- 1921 D costs $90 in a good, $145 in very good, and $230 in fine condition
Mercury dime values by USA Coin Book |
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| Year | Mintage | Very fine | Extra fine | AU | MS 60 | MS 65 |
| 1916 | 22,180,080 | $8.4 | $15 | $28 | $40 | $132 |
| 1916 S | 10,450,000 | $15 | $23 | $28 | $47 | $240 |
| 1916 D | 264,000 | $4,545 | $6,910 | $10,250 | $14,600 | $31,000 |
| 1917 | 55,230,000 | $6 | $8.5 | $14 | $34 | $185 |
| 1917 S | 27,330,000 | $7 | $14 | $34 | $65 | $593 |
| 1917 D | 9,402,000 | $24 | $50 | $105 | $160 | $1,155 |
| 1918 | 26,680,000 | $14 | $28 | $45 | $78 | $514 |
| 1918 S | 19,300,000 | $12 | $20 | $45 | $132 | $797 |
| 1918 D | 22,674,800 | $14 | $28 | $55 | $138 | $642 |
| 1919 | 35,740,000 | $6 | $12 | $34 | $50 | $417 |
| 1919 S | 8,852,000 | $18 | $40 | $82 | $222 | $1,355 |
| 1919 D | 9,939,000 | $27 | $40 | $82 | $222 | $1,880 |
| 1920 | 59,030,000 | $6 | $8.5 | $17 | $39 | $287 |
| 1920 S | 13,820,000 | $9 | $21 | $50 | $160 | $1,615 |
| 1920 D | 19,171,000 | $9 | $23 | $50 | $160 | $858 |
| 1921 | 1,230,000 | $349 | $642 | $1,030 | $1,287 | $3,780 |
| 1921 D | 1,080,000 | $465 | $858 | $1,355 | $1,672 | $3,890 |
| 1923 | 50,130,000 | $6 | $7 | $18 | $34 | $145 |
| 1923 S | 6,440,000 | $20 | $73 | $118 | $173 | $1,355 |
| 1924 | 24,010,000 | $6.5 | $17 | $34 | $50 | $230 |
| 1924 S | 7,120,000 | $12 | $65 | $118 | $222 | $1,355 |
| 1924 D | 6,810,000 | $27 | $78 | $118 | $194 | $1,057 |
| 1925 | 25,610,000 | $6 | $12 | $23 | $34 | $250 |
| 1925 S | 5,850,000 | $20 | $78 | $118 | $200 | $1,555 |
| 1925 D | 5,117,000 | $50 | $132 | $222 | $417 | $1,845 |
| 1926 | 32,160,000 | $6 | $7 | $18 | $28 | $280 |
| 1926 S | 1,520,000 | $65 | $280 | $495 | $920 | $3,115 |
| 1926 D | 6,828,000 | $12 | $30 | $55 | $138 | $642 |
| 1927 | 28,080,000 | $6 | $7 | $17 | $34 | $165 |
| 1927 S | 4,770,000 | $14 | $30 | $55 | $307 | $1,555 |
| 1927 D | 4,812,000 | $28 | $90 | $110 | $222 | $1,287 |
| 1928 | 19,480,000 | $6 | $7 | $20 | $34 | $145 |
| 1928 S | 7,400,000 | $7 | $18 | $50 | $165 | $444 |
| 1928 D | 4,161,000 | $23 | $55 | $105 | $195 | $948 |
| 1929 | 25,970,000 | $6 | $6.5 | $14 | $24 | $82 |
| 1929 S | 4,730,000 | $6 | $12 | $23 | $40 | $138 |
| 1929 D | 5,034,000 | $8.5 | $17 | $27 | $34 | $82 |
| 1930 | 6,770,000 | $6 | $8.5 | $18 | $34 | $138 |
| 1930 S | 1,834,000 | $7 | $17 | $50 | $90 | $230 |
| 1931 | 3,150,000 | $6 | $12 | $24 | $40 | $157 |
| 1931 S | 1,800,000 | $12 | $18 | $50 | $100 | $335 |
| 1931 D | 1,260,000 | $23 | $40 | $65 | $100 | $305 |
| 1934 | 24,080,000 | $3.5 | $3.8 | $14 | $28 | $55 |
| 1934 D | 6,772,000 | $3.5 | $8.5 | $40 | $65 | $92 |
| 1935 | 58,830,000 | $3.5 | $3.6 | $6 | $12 | $40 |
| 1935 S | 15,840,000 | $3.5 | $6 | $14 | $24 | $45 |
| 1935 D | 10,477,000 | $3.5 | $8.5 | $23 | $40 | $100 |
| 1936 | 87,504,130 | $3.5 | $3.8 | $6.7 | $12 | $34 |
| 1936 S | 9,210,000 | $3.5 | $3.8 | $14 | $26 | $40 |
| 1936 D | 16,132,000 | $3.9 | $6 | $16 | $28 | $62 |
| 1937 | 56,865,756 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $6.7 | $12 | $34 |
| 1937 S | 9,740,000 | $3.4 | $3.8 | $11 | $23 | $45 |
| 1937 D | 14,146,000 | $3.4 | $4.3 | $12 | $24 | $50 |
| 1938 | 22,198,728 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $6.5 | $12 | $34 |
| 1938 S | 8,090,000 | $3.4 | $3.8 | $11 | $23 | $45 |
| 1938 D | 5,537,000 | $3.5 | $4.3 | $9 | $21 | $40 |
| 1939 | 67,749,321 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5.4 | $8.4 | $28 |
| 1939 S | 10,540,000 | $3.4 | $4.3 | $13 | $26 | $47 |
| 1939 D | 24,394,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $6 | $8.4 | $31 |
| 1940 | 65,361,827 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $7 | $34 |
| 1940 S | 21,560,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $8.5 | $40 |
| 1940 D | 21,198,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $7 | $40 |
| 1941 | 175,106,557 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $7 | $34 |
| 1941 S | 43,090,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $7 | $34 |
| 1941 D | 45,634,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $6 | $8.4 | $28 |
| 1942 | 205,432,329 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $34 |
| 1942 S | 49,300,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $8.5 | $39 |
| 1942 D | 60,740,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $34 |
| 1943 | 191,710,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $28 |
| 1943 S | 60,400,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.7 | $7 | $34 |
| 1943 D | 71,949,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $5 | $6 | $34 |
| 1944 | 231,410,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $28 |
| 1944 S | 49,490,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.7 | $7 | $34 |
| 1944 D | 62,224,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.7 | $7 | $34 |
| 1945 | 159,130,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $31 |
| 1945 S | 41,920,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $34 |
| 1945 D | 40,245,000 | $3.4 | $3.6 | $4.6 | $6 | $34 |
Mercury dime proofs
Three mints produced these coins, but only the one in Philadelphia minted proofs. As expected, they are costly, but their price will vary, depending on the minting year.
- 1936 proof is worth $1,555
- 1937 proof is worth $888
- 1938 proof is worth $521
- 1939 proof is worth $444
- 1940 proof is worth $335
- 1941 proof is worth $307
- 1942 proof is worth $307
Mercury dime rarities and key dates
1942 42 over 41 Mercury dime is an error highly appreciated among collectors. You should set aside $307 to $1,107 for a piece in lower grades. A coin in an about uncirculated condition will cost you $1,880, but those in mint state are more expensive. You should pay $2,745 for this coin in MS 60 and an impressive $16,645 for MS 65.
1942 D 42 over 41 Mercury dime is an error coin minted in Denver. Its value is in the range of $335 to $947 for a piece in lower grades. The one in an AU state is worth $2,000, while those in a mint state can reach $2,892 for an MS 60 and $10,220 for MS 65 coin.
1945 micro Mercury dime is a bit expensive than regular coins, and you should pay approximately $3 to $6 for lower graded coins. Those in excellent condition are worth $18 to $110.
Set dime value |
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| Quality | 80-coin set | 77-coin set
(without varieties) |
15-coin set
(1941 to 1945) |
| Good | $1,950 to $2,420 | $1,310 to $1,640 | $38.48 to $46.17 |
| Very good | $2,650 to $3,620 | $1,930 to $2,740 | $39.49 to $48.60 |
| Fine | $4,080 to $5,360 | $3,280 to $4,390 | $46.58 to $56 |
| Very fine | $6,040 to $9,070 | $5,150 to $7,850 | $57 to $74 |
| Extra fine | $9,600 to $12,700 | $8,430 to $11,700 | $70 to $84 |
| AU | $14,100 to $25,200 | $12,200 to $21,400 | $72 to $97 |
| MS 60 | $26,400 to $30,300 | $21,100 to $24,300 | $122 to $140 |
| MS 61 | $28,900 to $33,300 | $23,100 to $26,600 | $122 to $140 |
| MS 62 | $32,900 to $37,900 | $26,000 to $29,900 | $122 to $156 |
| MS 63 | $41,700 to $47,900 | $31,800 to $36,600 | $160 to $199 |
| MS 64 | $58,200 to $67,000 | $41,100 to $47,300 | $265 to $305 |
| MS 65 | $85,600 to $98,500 | $61,600 to $70,800 | $351 to $448 |
| MS 66 | / | / | $507 to $607 |
| MS 67 | / | / | $966 to $1,110 |
The best option to determine your Mercury dime condition is to examine a few referent points closely. Always check whether the olive branch is significantly worn out or has traces of discoloration. Other details you should look at are the Liberty head and the word LIBERTY.
Summary
Thanks to the 0.07234 troy ounces (2.25 g) of silver this coin contains, it is worthy of your money and an excellent, risk-free investment. Mercury dimes are not too expensive except for a few rarities, so that most collectors can afford them. However, each piece’s condition will make a price difference.
