Mercury Dime Values
(1916 – 1945)
I’ve always found Mercury Dimes to be one of the most captivating designs on any ten-cent piece. When you first look at that winged cap, you might assume it’s the Roman god Mercury, but that’s not the case. The figure is actually Liberty, cleverly portrayed with a winged Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom of thought and action. The design was created by Adolph A. Weinman, who gave us this timeless image that was first struck in 1916. Officially, it’s called the Winged Liberty Head Dime, but the name Mercury Dime has stuck, thanks to its striking resemblance to the Roman deity.
What makes these coins stand out, aside from the iconic design, is the fascinating history and collectibility surrounding them. Minted for a relatively short period from 1916 to 1945, the Mercury Dime offers plenty of variety for collectors. There are a number of interesting mint mark combinations, as well as a few key dates and rarities that can really make a collection shine.
Coins like the 1916-D, 1942/1 overdate, and others are prized for their scarcity and are highly sought after in the numismatic world.
These dimes aren’t just valuable for their precious metal content, though they’re mostly made of 90% silver. It’s the combination of design, history, and those standout rarities that make the Mercury Dime such a beloved series among collectors. Whether you’re after the high-grade rarities or just enjoying the beauty and history of these small, silver coins, the Mercury Dime has something for everyone. And for anyone looking to get their hands on a piece of early 20th-century American history, these little dimes make for an ideal addition to any collection.
Mercury Dime Mint Marks
Mercury Dimes were minted at three different facilities:
Philadelphia (no mint mark)
Denver (D)
San Francisco (S)
To find the mint mark, just flip the coin over — it’s located on the reverse, near the bottom to the left of the fasces (that bundle of sticks in the center). No mint mark means it came from Philly.
These dimes were struck with 90% silver and 10% copper, so even your common-date Mercury Dime is worth a few bucks just for silver value.
Valuation Chart
Year | mint mark / Variety | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
1916 | P | $5 – $30 |
1916-D | Key Date | $850 – $4,000+ |
1916-S | $6 – $35 | |
1917 | P, D, S | $4 – $20 |
1918 | P, D, S | $4 – $18 |
1919 | P, D, S | $4 – $18 |
1920 | P, D, S | $3 – $16 |
1921 | Low Mintage | $50 – $350+ |
1921-D | Rare | $60 – $400+ |
1923 | P | $3 – $12 |
1924 | P, D, S | $3 – $14 |
1925 | P | $3 – $12 |
1925-D | Semi-Key | $10 – $85 |
1925-S | $4 – $20 | |
1926 | P | $3 – $10 |
1926-D | $5 – $20 | |
1926-S | Harder to Find | $15 – $90 |
1927 | P, D, S | $3 – $12 |
1928 | P, D, S | $3 – $14 |
1929 | P, D, S | $3 – $14 |
1930 | P, S | $3 – $10 |
1931 | P | $3 – $10 |
1931-D | Scarce Date | $10 – $50 |
1934 | P, D | $3 – $10 |
1935 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1936 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1937 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1938 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1939 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1940 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1941 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1942 | P, D, S | $3 – $8 |
1942/1 | Overdate Variety | $300 – $2,500+ |
1942/1-D | Overdate Variety | $400 – $3,000+ |
1943 | P, D, S | $3 – $7 |
1944 | P, D, S | $3 – $7 |
1945 | P, D, S | $3 – $7 |
Key Dates and Notable Varieties
The big hitters in the Mercury Dime series are:
1916-D – The king of the Mercury Dimes. Low mintage and highly sought after.
1921 & 1921-D – These had lower production due to economic conditions post-WWI.
1925-D & 1926-S – Tougher dates to find in higher grades.
1931-D – Scarce and often overlooked.
1942/1 and 1942/1-D – Popular overdate varieties. Grab a loupe and check for the doubling on the “1”.
Historical Context Year-By-Year
1916: Mercury Dime debuts, designed by Adolph A. Weinman; replaces the Barber dime mid-year. – The U.S. is still neutral in WWI, but tensions are rising.
1917: Second year of production with strong strikes; no major design changes. – The U.S. enters World War I in April.
1918: Mintages remain high to support wartime economy. – World War I ends in November with the signing of the Armistice.
1919: Dime production continues at all three mints. – Prohibition begins under the 18th Amendment.
1920: High mintages, especially from Philadelphia and San Francisco. – Women vote for the first time in a U.S. presidential election.
1921: Extremely low mintages from Philadelphia and Denver; no dimes struck in San Francisco. – Warren G. Harding becomes president.
1922: No Mercury Dimes minted this year. – The Lincoln Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C.
1923: No dimes produced again this year. – Calvin Coolidge takes office after Harding’s death.
1924: Mintages resume; San Francisco issues are scarcer in high grades. – The first Winter Olympics are held in France.
1925: Modest mintages, especially from Denver. – The Scopes “Monkey Trial” debates evolution vs. creationism.
1926: Common in lower grades; well-struck examples harder to find. – Route 66 is established, linking Chicago to Los Angeles.
1927: Dimes struck at all three mints, with good availability. – Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo transatlantic flight.
1928: San Francisco mint issues are scarcer; Philadelphia dominates in numbers. – Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic.
1929: Mintages drop; San Francisco issues are key for collectors. – The Stock Market crashes, sparking the Great Depression.
1930: Dimes only struck in Philadelphia; relatively low mintage. – Pluto is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh.
1931: Only the San Francisco mint produces dimes this year. – The Empire State Building opens in New York City.
1932: No Mercury Dimes minted during this year. – Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected president.
1933: No dimes struck again as the Depression deepens. – The U.S. officially abandons the gold standard.
1934: Dime production resumes at Philadelphia and Denver; coins are common. – The FBI kills John Dillinger in Chicago.
1935: All three mints strike dimes; overall high availability. – Social Security Act is signed into law.
1936: Well-struck coins produced at all mints; popular among type collectors. – Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics.
1937: Consistent production; Philadelphia strikes are the most plentiful. – The Hindenburg disaster shocks the world.
1938: Mintages remain steady; San Francisco issues slightly scarcer. – Superman debuts in Action Comics #1.
1939: High quality strikes at Philadelphia; popular for collectors. – Germany invades Poland, beginning World War II.
1940: Mintages rise again; wartime economy ramps up. – Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected to a third term.
1941: Huge mintage numbers due to war demands. – Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; the U.S. enters WWII.
1942: Over 300 million dimes struck; includes the famous 1942/1 overdate error. – The Manhattan Project begins in secret.
1943: Massive wartime production continues; plentiful dimes. – Italian dictator Mussolini is overthrown.
1944: Philadelphia dominates mintage totals. – D-Day landings begin the Allied liberation of Europe.
1945: Final year of the Mercury Dime series; Roosevelt dies in office and is later honored on the dime. – World War II ends with Germany and Japan’s surrender.
Tips for Building a Set
The best way to start collecting Mercury Dimes is by going after the Philadelphia-minted coins first. They were produced in huge numbers and are very affordable. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can move into the Denver and San Francisco mints, then chase those tougher varieties and rarities.
A full Mercury Dime set with every date and mint mark (including varieties) is a serious accomplishment — and looks incredible in an album or slab box. Grading these coins is always a good move, especially if you have a coin that appears super sharp or one of the key dates. It not only confirms authenticity but also helps retain or boost value for future sales or trades.
Final Thoughts
Mercury Dimes are just plain awesome. They’ve got that perfect mix of history, beauty, and real silver value—all packed into one little coin that still feels timeless in your hand. Designed by Adolph Weinman and minted from 1916 to 1945, these dimes saw the U.S. through two World Wars, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and everything in between. That winged Liberty head design? It’s not just iconic—it’s one of the most beautiful designs ever put on a U.S. coin.
Whether you’re grabbing a handful from a local shop’s silver bin, piecing together a full date set, or on the hunt for that elusive and legendary 1916-D, every Mercury Dime adds something special to your collection. There’s a satisfying range here too—common dates you can snag for a few bucks, mid-range pieces with character, and high-grade rarities that’ll get your heart racing a bit.
This series really hits that sweet spot. It’s approachable for beginners but deep enough to keep advanced collectors digging. There are varieties, overdates, mint marks, and some surprisingly tough dates tucked in among the common ones. And let’s be honest—there’s just something cool about stacking up a bunch of real silver dimes and knowing you’re holding a piece of American history.
So next time you see one sitting in a shop case, mixed into an old collection, or tucked away in grandma’s coin jar—take a second look!
