Where is the mint mark on a Mercury dime? The Mercury dime series is a popular favorite among coin collectors and history buffs. Minted from 1916 to 1945, these attractive silver dimes are one of the shortest-running U.S. coin designs in the 20th century.
An important detail to check on your Mercury dime is the mint mark, which indicates where the coin was struck.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: The mint mark on a Mercury dime is located on the reverse (or ‘tails’) side of the coin, near the bottom between the words “ONE” and “DIME”.
A Brief History of the Mercury Dime
Mercury Dime’s Namesake and Designer
The Mercury dime, also known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was designed by sculptor Adolph Weinman. His design depicted Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom. Though it is commonly called the “Mercury” dime, Weinman never intended for it to depict the Roman god Mercury.
The model for Weinman’s Winged Liberty design was Elsie Stevens, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens. Elsie posed for Weinman in 1915 as he prepared his entries for the design competition to find a replacement for the outdated Barber dime.
Out of Weinman’s two submitted designs, the Winged Liberty concept was selected by the Commission of Fine Arts in 1916.
When Mercury Dimes Were in Circulation
The Mercury dime was minted from 1916 to 1945. It was replaced in 1946 by the Roosevelt dime, which depicted President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and was issued to honor his legacy following his death in 1945.
Over three decades, over 2.7 billion Mercury dimes were produced at four U.S. Mints.
During the years when the Mercury dimes were minted, they were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gave them an intrinsic metal value higher than their face value. Today, these coins are highly sought-after by collectors interested in obtaining specimens in pristine condition or rare variations.
Mint Marks and Mercury Dime Values
The Significance of Mint Marks
Mint marks on coins like the Mercury dime are small letters that indicate at which US mint the coin was struck. For Mercury dimes, you may find one of three mint marks:
- No mint mark – These were struck at the main US Mint in Philadelphia. This was the largest mint.
- D – This stands for the Denver Mint.
- S – Coins with an S were struck at the San Francisco Mint.
The mint mark is located on the coin’s reverse (tail side), near the bottom between the words “ONE” and “DIME”. It is a small but very important detail!
The mintage or number of coins struck at each mint varies. Generally, Denver and San Francisco Mercury dimes are less common than Philadelphia dimes. Low mintage translates into higher value for collectors.
Key Date Mercury Dimes
There are a few particularly scarce dates and mint-marked Mercury dimes that collectors are willing to pay big premiums for, including:
- 1916-D Mercury Dime – This is the very first year the Mercury dime was struck, at the Denver Mint. With a low mintage of just 264,000, it’s highly coveted in any grade.
- 1921 Mercury Dime – Only 1.23 million Philadelphia 1921 dimes were made, making it a key date worth $500+ in cleaned About Uncirculated condition.
- 1921-D Mercury Dime – This Denver Mint version had an even lower output of 1,080,000 coins. It trades for over $2,000 in nicer grades.
| Grade | Good | Very Good | Fine | Very Fine |
| Price | $850 | $1,100 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
As shown in the table, an example 1921-D Mercury dime is values at approximately $850 in a heavily worn Good grade. As the condition improves, so does the coin’s worth!
By checking the mint mark and date on your Mercury dimes carefully, you can discover some real treasures! Consult a coin price guide like the Red Book for details on values.
Finding the Mint Mark on a Mercury Dime
The Mint Mark’s Standard Location
The mint mark on a Mercury dime is a small letter indicating which US mint produced the coin. It is typically found on the reverse (tails) side of the coin, near the bottom, to the left of the torch.
In most examples, the mint mark will be visible in this location – an easy place to check when identifying your Mercury dime. The most common mint marks you’ll find are:
- D – Denver Mint
- S – San Francisco Mint
- No mint mark – Philadelphia Mint
Variations in Mint Mark Size and Position
While the standard placement for Mercury dime mint marks is to the lower left of the torch, there are some variations to be aware of:
- Mint marks can differ considerably in size. They range from quite bold and prominent to barely perceptible.
- On rare varieties, the mint mark is located in a different position – potentially above the fasces.
- Some Mercury dimes have no visible mint mark at all. These were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
The reasons behind this variability relate to the technology used at the time. Mint marks were hand-punched into working dies – the result being inconsistent positioning and sizing between individual coins.
Carefully inspecting this area of potential mint mark placement can make all the difference for a collector hoping to accurately identify the origin and value of their Mercury dime. A tiny, obscure letter can mean the difference between a very common or quite rare date and a mint example.
Tips for Identifying the Mint Mark
Using a Jeweler’s Loupe
One of the best tools for spotting tiny mint marks on dimes is a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass. These handy devices enlarge the image from 5x to 10x power so you can get a super close look at coin details.
To use the loupe:
- Hold the loupe close up to your eye
- Slowly move the dime around until the date and mint mark area come into sharp focus
- Carefully inspect if you see the tiny mint letter like a D, S, or blank (indicating Philadelphia)
Getting a loupe with built-in LED lighting can make inspecting marks even easier. The light highlights all the ridges and details of the coin’s surface.
Distinguishing Between a D and S Mint Mark
On Mercury Head dimes, the most common mint marks to locate are the ‘D’ for Denver and ‘S’ for San Francisco.
The key differences to tell these two apart are:
- The D mint mark has a distinctive thick, robust appearance
- The S mint mark looks tall and thin by comparison
| D Mint Mark Traits | S Mint Mark Traits |
|---|---|
| – Oval-shaped | – More elongated |
| – Noticeably fatter | – Tall and skinny |
With a good magnifying glass, the differences become quite obvious. See reference images on Wikipedia for side-by-side illustrations.
Slowly moving the coin beneath the loupe and studying the letters from multiple angles can clarify hard-to-read mint marks.
Caring for Your Mercury Dime Collection
Proper Storage and Handling
Collecting mercury dimes can be an enjoyable hobby, but properly caring for your collection is key to preserving its value. Here are some tips for storing and handling your coins:
- Store coins in holders, albums, or coin capsules designed specifically for coin storage. PVC-free materials are best to avoid damage over time.
- Handle coins by the edges to avoid touching the surface. Skin oils can damage coin surfaces.
- Store coins in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration or corrosion. A consistent temperature around 70°F is ideal.
- Consider using cotton gloves when handling coins to further prevent skin contact.
- Do not clean coins as this can decrease value. Instead, allow expert coin graders to determine if cleaning is needed.
Following these best practices preserves the quality of your coins, thereby maintaining collector appeal and monetary value. As many mercury dimes can be worth thousands of dollars if kept in pristine condition, proper storage and handling are well worth the effort!
Cleaning Coins
When caring for a mercury dime collection, cleaning coins is generally not recommended. Here’s why:
- Cleaning removes the top layer of metal, permanently damaging the surface and decreasing value. Even hairline scratches can significantly reduce appeal.
- Harsh cleaners like jewelry cleaner, baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar can etch or discolorations.
- Over time, naturally occurring toning on silver can increase value. Cleaning coins removes this toning.
- Graders can distinguish proper wear on old coins from damage caused by cleaning or mishandling.
Instead of attempting to clean coins yourself, consult a reputable third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. Graders have extensive expertise and specialized equipment to safely clean coins when necessary without damaging surfaces.
They also assign certified grades that determine market value.
Where Is The Mint Mark On A Mercury Dime – Conclusion
As one of the most popular U.S. coin series with collectors, knowing key details like the mint mark location and meaning on a Mercury dime is an important part of numismatics. A small letter engraving can mean the difference between a common coin and a rare and valuable find.
We hope this overview gave you what you were searching for on where to locate the mint mark on your Mercury dime. With this knowledge in hand, you can confidently examine your collection and understand the history behind these iconic silver coins that are now over 75 years old.
