Mercury Dime (1916-1945)
Mint Location: Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Composition: 90 silver; 10% copper
Weight: 2.50g
Edge Type: Reeded
The obverse figure is a depiction of the mythological goddess Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, a classic Western symbol of liberty and freedom, with its wings intended to symbolize freedom of thought. The inscriptions are LIBERTY around the top edge, the date at the bottom edge, the mint mark to the right of the bust and IN GOD WE TRUST to the left of the bust.
The reverse design, a Fasces juxtaposed with an olive branch, was intended to symbolize America’s readiness for war, combined with its desire for peace. The inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the top edge, ONE DIME around the bottom edge and E PLURIBUS UNUM to the right of the Fasces.
The word Fasces is Roman in origin and is an image of a bundle of sticks usually with an axe in the center. This image was used to depict a magistrate’s power and jurisdiction. The word fascism has its origin from the Roman word Fasces.
Coin Values: The most sought after coins of this design are the 1916-D and 1942 overdates. Coin are graded higher if there are Full Bands on the fasces on the reverse. Most dates are found in Good to AU grades commonly. A slabbed 1916 MS64 Mercury Dime FB Unc sold for $115 while a 1939-D MS67 Mercury Dime FB sold for $275.
1936 Mercury Dime