Mercury Dime Overview

These are 1943 Mercury dimes worth money and super rare silver coins to look for in circulation. We look at error dimes, rare dimes, valuable dimes and other. With no overdates, no proofs, and well more than 300 million Mercury dimes struck, 1943 is a highly affordable date for aficionados of the Winged Liberty Head dime series. Common across virtually all grades, 1943 Mercury dimes pose few collecting challenges for numismatists, save for those who want ultra high-grade specimens with fully split. Coin Value Price Chart for Seated Liberty Dimes 10C. Lookup Coin values for Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Brilliant Uncirculated & Proof conditions and MS grade. How much Seated Liberty Dimes are worth. Coins for sale for Seated Liberty type Dimes items. The Mercury Dime is also commonly referred to as the Winged Liberty Head Dime and was designed by Adolph Weinman. The coin got its common name from its reverse depiction of a young Liberty which was confused with the Roman god Mercury.

Liberty Dime

The Mercury Dime, with its flowing and beautiful design, is a popular choice for today’s collectors. Although known officially as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, many collectors commonly refer to it as the “Mercury Dime.” This is because some people believe that the portrait of Liberty is actually the Roman God, Mercury.

The Mercury Dime was introduced in 1916 after a call by Mint Director Robert Woolley, who wanted a major update of then current coins. The Mercury Dime saw a 29-year production run. The Mercury Dime replaced the Barber Dime which had been in production from 1892 till 1916. Sculptor Adolph Weinman won the contest in 1916 with his design for the new dime.

On the obverse, Weinman’s main design is a bust of Lady Liberty wearing a cap with wings, facing left. The motto “LIBERTY” is centered above the bust of Lady Liberty. “IN GOD WE TRUST” can be found to the immediate left of the bust, while the date can be found directly below. Weinman’s initial, “W”, can be seen just to the right of Lady Liberty’s neck.

Weinman included a unique design element on the reverse of the Mercury Dime. A fasces or hatchet encircled by wooden rods, surrounded by an olive branch is the main design. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “ONE CENT” can be found wrapped around the edges. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is to the right of the fasces.

Want to know more about the Mercury Dime as well as other collectible US Dimes? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Collectible Dimes.

History of the 1942 Mercury Dime

Like other dates at the end of the series, the 1942 Mercury Dime experienced a high mintage. The US Mint at Philadelphia reports that 205,410,000 examples were struck. This was the second highest number struck in the entire Mercury Dime series.

Strike quality was also an issue throughout the entire series, with most coins having a weak strike and dull details. Coins that have Full Bands, which show the split between each band around the fasces, are valued much higher than those that do not.

Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the Mercury Dime is a high purity silver coin. With a diameter of 17.91mm, the Mercury Dime weighs in at 2.50 grams. Reeding is present along the edges.

Image Source Flickr user NorthernLightsNumismatics

1942/1 Mercury Dime Error

A very interesting error has been detected for the 1942 Mercury Dime. Some examples feature an overdate error where the previous year’s date can be seen. This error is very rare and is in great demand from collectors.

The overdate error for this year can be easily seen, in most cases without the need of magnification. Normally, the “1” from “41” can be seen directly next to the “2” in “42”. Another indicator is the “4” in “42” shows some signs of what is similar to doubling.

This error is one of the biggest and well-known errors for the entire Mercury Dime series. A couple thousand examples have been found and graded, but most examples will be in a condition lower than Uncirculated. This makes the Uncirculated Overdate 1942 Mercury Dime very expensive.

If you feel that your 1942 Mercury Dime shows signs of being a 1942/1 overdate error, be sure to take it to a respected coin dealer for a second opinion. Alternatively, you could send your coin to a third-party grader to get an expert opinion, as well as get the coin preserved.

Value of the 1942 Mercury Dime

Prices for the 1942 Mercury Dime continue to be depressed due to a large number of coins that are still available for collectors. Even high-grade 1942 Mercury Dimes are valued much lower than other dates in the series.

Examples that are in Fine condition or lower are only worth their silver value, about $1.50. Even higher grades, such as Extra Fine, are only valued at $2.50.

Uncirculated examples see a larger increase in value, with MS-60 examples going for $8. Even in the relatively high grade of MS-65, most examples retail for $28.

If you own a 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime, even in low grades, they are very valuable. Even in Good 4 condition, the going price is a whopping $440! Values only continue to increase with higher conditions. Extra Fine coins sell for just under $1000. MS-60 examples are valued by PCGS at $2,500.

A recent auction for a 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime that also had the Full Bands designation was sold for an impressive $76,375!

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90

The 1941 dime value is at a minimum of $1.97 - the price of silver it contains. However these old Mercury head dimes are avidly collected today and many are valued higher.

Old silver dimes from the 1940's are commonly found in circulated condition, meaning they have wear on their surfaces. Higher collectable value is found in coins that are 'uncirculated' showing no wear.

Pictured is an uncirculated 1941 dime valued in the range of $5.97 . A value attributed to the situation as many are available today. Although your old dime even if lightly worn does have an appeal, numerous Mercury dime collections have been started with just these types of coins.

Adding to the diversity, values of 1941 dimes vary with the mint marked issues. Those coins minted in Denver and San Francisco are closely priced together but interesting to look for and find.

Discover how much your 1941 dime is worth by judging condition and locating mintmarks, both covered in detail below.

Popularity of collecting Mercury dimes is high.

Often collections are assembled by date and include coins of the different mints that produced dimes in 1941. Mintmarks identify the different mints, a small 'D' for the Denver mint and 'S' for San Francisco are found on the reverse. If your coin is without a mintmark, it was struck at the Philadelphia mint.

Gem Quality 1941 Dime Value

The vast majority of coins in the 1940's entered circulation and immediately began to show wear on the high points of the design. This rare 1941 dime is the exception, and among those saved from the damages of circulating, it stands apart.

Displaying most attributes discerning collectors seek as they assemble the highest quality sets, it is true gem quality. Judging by the strong price of $198 at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction, those who saw this gem where impressed enough to bid aggressively.

Absolutely no wear is apparent, contact marks so small magnification in needed to notice and the luster is as intense as the day of minting. A rare gem quality dime is far above an abraded uncirculated dime with dulling luster. All of your old silver dimes are examined and judged for quality in order to discover their accurate value.

Grading Determines 1941 Dime Value

In their search for the right Mercury dime to add to their collection, collectors judge the condition of each coin, know in the hobby as 'grading.' Different stages and amounts of wear are separated and given a grade. Judge the quality of your coins, comparing them to the images and descriptions, giving an accurate value of your 1941 dime according to its condition.

Uncirculated: At the top in value and desirability an Uncirculated Mercury dime is in the same condition as it left the mint, there is no wear on the coin. The delicate mint luster is unbroken and still covers the entire surface. Examine high points of the design for signs of wear, it occurs first on the hair above the eye and Liberty's cheek just below the eye.

Extremely Fine: Although this coin has been in circulation, it sill remains very detailed in appearance. Across the surface a small amount of wear is visible. The feather details of the wing above Liberty's ear have worn and lost detail but remain separated. Also a slight flatness to the once rounded cheek is noticeable. On the reverse, all of the vertical lines of the 'fasces' are separated.

Fine: Wear is noticeable over the entire surface. The central part of the wing is now flat and lacking any design detail, as well as the hair braid extending from Liberty's forehead to chin line. On the reverse of your dime, many but not all the vertical lines have merged.

Good: Heavy wear has removed most of the design, leaving only Liberty's portrait in outline. Protection once afforded by the rim is now blending with the lettering. The central device on the reverse 'fasces' is worn smooth, again the rim is worn significantly into the lettering. All silver dimes in this condition are valued based on their silver content.

Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Mercury Dime Values
1916 to 1945

Values listed for the entire Mercury head dime series including more on the 1941 dime value. Rare and valuable dates are scattered through out the series contributing to a large spread in Mercury dime values. Additionally, the condition of your old dime plays a key role in today's rare coin values.

One of the most popular and widely collected coins today. Spanning over two hundred years of US dime production with rare coin values listed for literally hundreds of date and mintmark combinations. Examine closely these small potential treasures.

★Coin Values Discovery... finds 1941 dime value and...

Liberty Dime 1948

all old US coin values. It is an excellent index with images and text links to coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images with descriptions uncover how much your box of old coins is worth.

Rare Dimes!

See Full List On Values.hobbizine.com

Awaiting discovery are potentially high value rarities in the US dime series as well as some other possible finds in your box of old coins. Visit... Finding Rare Dimes...