Minting History: The Rise and Fall of Mercury Dime Production

The 1916 Mercury dime, also known in broader circles as the winged Liberty dime, has become one of the most famous and significant US coins of the 20th century. Its unusual design, symbolism, and the rarity of some issues make it an object of search for some numismatists and collectors. But what was behind its creation, why it became special, why the coins stopped being minted, how much is a 1916 mercury dime worth and why did it cease to be issued? Here we will try to answer these questions, uncover the mysteries of minting and learn how the rise and fall of one dime 1916 minting was included in the monetary history of the United States.

The Way Everything Started: Design and Idea

What is a mercury dime? The Mercury dime is a symbol of change.  In the early 20th century, the United States began a major reform of coin design, where the goal was to create coins which not only served an economic purpose, but also became a part of art and looked interesting and even elegant. In an effort to show strength and cultural maturity, it was decided in 1916 to change the appearance of some denominations including the dime, quarter, and half dollar.  The project to change the design of the dime was entrusted to sculptor Adolph Weinman. He was inspired by the image of Liberty, symbolizing progress and independence, which was reflected in the original coin concept.

Design

How to recognize coins? First of all, you should look at them. The coin design was approved in 1916 (selected from several proposals). The obverse of the coin depicts Liberty, but not in the way we are used to seeing her. The obverse of the coin shows a bust of a young Liberty with a winged helmet on her head, symbolizing freedom of thought and creativity. The image of Liberty was so similar to the ancient Roman deity Mercury that the coin was named “Mercury Dime”.

The reverse (back side) of the coin features a bundle of fascia (a symbol of power and justice) and an olive branch, which represents peace. It was a powerful and symbolic combination reflecting the idea of a strong and fair America.

The main characteristics of the coin can be found in the table below:

* Sometimes in some sources you can find coin names like Mercury penny and Morgan dime. Please note that Mercury penny and Morgan dime are incorrect terms sometimes associated with Mercury dime. Mercury penny is an unofficial and incorrect term, and the Mercury penny coin never existed, as the penny (1 cent) and dime (10 cents) are different denominations and types of coins. As for the Morgan dime, this is also a mistaken name and there is no such coin in numismatics. The Morgan Dime may have been mistaken for the Morgan Dollar, but the Mercury Dime and Morgan Dollar are not related in any way and are completely different coins.

Based on the above characteristics it can be noted that the 90% silver content in the coin increased the Mercury dime 1916 value as an investment object (especially during periods of economic instability). Additionally, the small size and light weight of a coin made it convenient for circulation.

Triumph and Fall: Details of Minting

The coin quickly gained popularity due to its design and quality minting. During the nearly 30 years of its production (1916 - 1945), it became a commonplace coin and was appreciated by both ordinary citizens and collectors. Especially valued were its early issues and error coins, which rose in value on the numismatic market.

The first year of minting of the Mercury dime (1916) was an important milestone in the history of coinage. It was minted at three mints: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. The largest mintage was traditionally produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

Table of mintage for 1916:

Thus, Mercury Dime Coins have only 2 mint marks: D for Denver (i.e. 1916d Mercury dime), S for San Francisco (i.e. 1916 s Mercury dime); and non for Philadelphia (i.e. 1916 Mercury dime). This mark is located on the reverse of the coin between the letter “E” in the word “ONE” and the base of the olive branch. By the way, did you know that there are some no mint mark coins? But 1916 coins have them.

As you can see from the table, only 264,000 pieces were minted in Denver, making the 1916 d mercury dime worth a fortune, as the 1916 dime is one of the rarest coins of these issues. This coin immediately attracted the attention of collectors and is still in demand today.

The coin was minted during the First World War, which gave its symbolism additional depth, as the image of strength and aspiration for peace was exactly right.

However, despite its popularity, Mercury's fate was short-lived. After the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, it was decided to honor his memory and immortalize his image on coins. Thus, these ten-cent coins, reflecting Liberty in a winged helmet, were replaced with other coins featuring Roosevelt's portrait. Although the coinage ended in 1945, its memory and demand for the coin are still alive today.

1916 Dime Coin Value

You are probably curious about how much is a 1916 mercury dime worth? Some pieces have unique characteristics, rare mintages and grades that significantly increase their value at auctions and among private collectors. So here in the table below you can explore the approximate value of a coin and the factors that directly affect it.

In addition, collectors are also looking for pieces with certain minting errors (e.g., double strikes and weak prints), which may also be worth considerably more than the numbers shown in the table above.

Treasure in Your Hands

The history of the Mercury dime is a symbol of how a simple coin can become a true treasure due to the symbolic attitude and its beautiful design. Today, the coin remains a living reminder of the great changes in U.S. history and continues to be hunted by collectors for its originality and historical significance.

If you want to unlock the secrets of your own coins, the Coin ID Scanner app will be your reliable free old coin value checker​. The app will help you easily identify and evaluate not only rare Mercury dimes, but also plenty of other specimens that may be found in your piggy bank or a handful of loose change after shopping and become a real treasure. Don't miss the chance to explore the world of numismatics deeper with the help of technology right now.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_dime

2. https://www.jmbullion.com/coin-info/dimes/mercury-dimes/

3. https://coinweek.com/1916-d-mercury-dime-collectors-guide/