How Much Is A Mercury Dime Worth?

Values for the Mercury dime run from about $2–$4 (silver value) (Common dates, circulated) to $60–$1,000+ (Key dates (1916-D, 1921, 1942/1)). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.

History of the Mercury Dime

Adolph Weinman’s Winged Liberty Head dime is universally known as the Mercury dime, though the portrait is Liberty in a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought — not the Roman god. Struck in 90% silver from 1916 through 1945, it is widely considered one of the most beautiful US coins ever made.

Every Mercury dime contains 0.0723 troy ounces of silver, giving even the most worn example a melt-value floor. Collector premiums start with the key 1916-D and the overdates, and extend to high-grade coins with Full Bands — completely separated horizontal bands on the reverse fasces, proof of a full strike.

The Mercury dime was struck from 1916 to 1945 in 90% silver, 10% copper. The design is the work of Adolph A. Weinman. Each coin weighs 2.50 grams and measures 17.9 mm across. Production took place at Philadelphia, Denver (D) and San Francisco (S).

How much is a Mercury dime worth?

Like every collectible coin, the value of a Mercury dime comes down to grade, rarity and demand. The ranges below are approximate retail prices collectors pay for problem-free examples — coins that have been cleaned, scratched or holed usually trade well below these figures.

For a market check, recent sold results for the same coin in the same grade beat out-of-date price guides every time. AI Coin Collector shows the Numista catalogue price per grade for every coin it recognizes: a reference point, not a sale price or an offer.

  • Common dates, circulated: $2–$4 (silver value)
  • Common dates, XF: $4–$7
  • MS-63: $12–$25
  • MS-65 Full Bands: $40–$100+
  • Key dates (1916-D, 1921, 1942/1): $60–$1,000+

Key dates, mint marks and varieties

Not every Mercury dime is equal. A small mint mark or a die variety can multiply the value many times over, so check your coin against this list before assuming it is a common example:

  • 1916-D — 264,000 struck, the series key.
  • 1942/1 and 1942/1-D overdates — wartime rarities.
  • 1921 and 1921-D — low-mintage semi-keys.
  • 1945 Philadelphia with Full Bands — common date, famous condition rarity.

How to identify a genuine Mercury Dime

Authentication starts with the basics: weight, diameter, design details and the way the surfaces look. For the Mercury dime, check the following:

If anything feels off — the weight is wrong, the details are mushy, or the surfaces look cast rather than struck — get a second opinion before buying or selling. Valuable dates are exactly the coins counterfeiters target most.

  • The mint mark sits on the reverse, left of the fasces base.
  • Full Bands designation requires complete separation of the central crossbands — it can multiply high-grade values.
  • The 1916-D is heavily faked by adding a D to Philadelphia coins; the genuine mint mark position and shape are well documented.

Check your Mercury dime with AI Coin Collector

Instead of squinting at grainy auction photos, snap a picture with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests the type for you to confirm, the app estimates a Sheldon-scale grade from 1 to 70, and you see the Numista catalogue price per grade.

From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Mercury dime worth?

Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Common dates, circulated) trade around $2–$4 (silver value), while the strongest pieces (Key dates (1916-D, 1921, 1942/1)) bring $60–$1,000+. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.

How can I tell if my Mercury dime is genuine?

Start with the physical basics: the mint mark sits on the reverse, left of the fasces base. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.

Can an app identify and value my Mercury dime?

Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.

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