Product Information
The Mercury Dime is a vintage American coin minted from 1916 to 1945. Today, they are seldom seen in circulation but are cherished by coin collectors and enthusiasts of American history alike. Offered here is a pleasant example hand-selected by professional numismatists after screening thousands of coins for quality and eye-appeal. Each coin is housed in an airtight capsule and presented in a plush-lined box with a display easel, magnetic lid, and certificate of authenticity. The coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine, dated between 1916 and 1945, and will match the quality of the one shown. If you are interested in building a collection, consider adding other great selections from the Icons of American Coinage Series to compliment your purchase.
HISTORY OF THE MERCURY DIME
Properly known as the “Winged Liberty" dime in the Mint's official description, this popular coin designed by Adolph A. Weinman features a stunning example of a youthful Lady Liberty on the obverse wearing a winged Phrygian cap to symbolize freedom of thought. However, this was publicly confused almost immediately after its release in October of 1916 with a likeness of the Roman God Mercury, and thus this coin's enduring colloquial name was born. Weinman never disclosed the name of the model for the obverse, but it is widely believed to have been Elsie Stevens, the wife of Weinman's attorney friend, Wallace Stevens. The reverse features the fasces carried by Roman magisterial lictors and symbolizes power and justice, as well as strength in numbers, and is accompanied by an olive branch of peace. The Mercury dime spanned an era that witnessed two World Wars, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and the entirety of Prohibition. It continues to be one of the most beloved coins in American history, more than 70 years after its last mintage in 1945.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Type: Mercury Dime (1916-1945)
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Weight: 2.50 grams
- Diameter: 17.9 mm
- Composition: 0.900 silver, 0.100 copper
- Net silver weight: 0.07234 oz pure silver
- Obverse Design: Liberty with winged cap
- Obverse Inscription: LIBERTY / IN GOD WE TRUST / DATE
- Reverse Design: Fasces with axe / Olive branch
- Reverse Inscription: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / ONE DIME
- 3 x 3 x 1