
Mercury dimes are a type of US coin that's been around since 1916, and their value can vary greatly depending on their condition and rarity.
The key to determining the value of a mercury dime is its mint mark, which can significantly impact its worth. For example, the 1943 mercury dime without a mint mark is worth around $3,000, while the same coin with a mint mark is only worth around $1,000.
The condition of a mercury dime also plays a huge role in its value. If a coin is in good condition, it's worth more than one that's worn down or damaged.
Grading and Collecting
Grading Mercury dimes requires significant expertise and can take years to master. This skill is essential to determine a coin's grade, which is crucial for its value.
The design's major and minor elements gradually fade and eventually blend together as a Mercury dime circulates and wears down, creating specific patterns of wear. These patterns are assessed to determine the coin's grade.
Mercury dimes are considered one of the most beautiful small denominations the United States Mint has ever struck, with many collectors actively seeking them in circulation by date and mintmark. This phenomenon was aided by the advent of inexpensive coin boards and coin folders in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Whether you're building a World War II date set or a complete date-and-mintmark set, Mercury dimes offer a variety of collecting opportunities. You can customize your set-building ambitions according to your disposable income availability.
Here are some notable auction records for proof Mercury dimes:
Grading Dime
Grading a coin requires expertise, and even experienced collectors take years to master this skill. Grading Mercury dimes, also known as Winged Liberty Head dimes, is particularly challenging.
The design's major and minor elements gradually fade and eventually blend together as a coin circulates and wears down. This process is used to determine a coin's grade.
To find out the condition and grading of your Mercury Dime, consider the following three factors. The stages of wear are assessed to determine a coin's grade.
Collecting

Collecting Mercury dimes is a popular hobby, and the coins were first actively sought by collectors in circulation by date and mintmark, thanks to the advent of inexpensive coin boards and folders in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The Mercury dime series offers a variety of collecting opportunities, from building a simple World War II date set of issues ranging from 1941 through 1945 to tackling a complete date-and-mintmark set including major varieties.
Collectors can customize their set-building ambitions according to their disposable income availability, and the Mercury dime series offers excellent flexibility in this respect.
Many collectors start by building a set of Mercury dimes from 1941 through 1945, which is a relatively simple goal compared to building a complete date-and-mintmark set.
The Mercury dime was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and was in production from 1916 through 1945, making it a significant and collectible coin.
Value and Melt
Mercury dimes are worth at least their weight in silver, which is $2.37 per coin. This is calculated from the current silver spot price of $32.77 per ounce.
Most Mercury dimes in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value, which can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the series and condition of the coin.
The melt value of a Mercury dime is calculated based on its metal content and weight, with a 90% silver coin containing 3.575 troy ounces of bullion. Based on today's silver spot price, the intrinsic melt value of one Mercury Dime - 90% Silver - $5 Face Value is $117.05.
Melt Value: 90% Silver
A silver dime can be worth a pretty penny, especially if you're looking to melt it down. The melt value of a 90% silver dime is determined by its weight in silver, which is currently worth $32.77 per ounce.
The melt value of a Mercury Dime - 90% Silver - $5 Face Value is $117.05, based on its 3.575 troy ounces of bullion and today's silver spot price.

Any Mercury dime is worth at least its weight in silver, which is $2.37 per coin, calculated from the current silver spot price.
Most Mercury dimes in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value, but the value will ultimately depend on its series and condition.
Here's a list of some of the most valuable Mercury dimes, based on their series and condition:
- 1916 Mercury Dime
- 1917 Mercury Dime
- 1918 Mercury Dime
- 1919 Mercury Dime
- 1920 Mercury Dime
- 1921 Mercury Dime
- 1923 Mercury Dime
- 1924 Mercury Dime
- 1925 Mercury Dime
- 1926 Mercury Dime
- 1927 Mercury Dime
- 1928 Mercury Dime
- 1929 Mercury Dime
- 1930 Mercury Dime
- 1931 Mercury Dime
- 1934 Mercury Dime
- 1935 Mercury Dime
- 1936 Mercury Dime
- 1937 Mercury Dime
- 1938 Mercury Dime
- 1939 Mercury Dime
- 1940 Mercury Dime
- 1941 Mercury Dime
- 1942 Mercury Dime
- 1943 Mercury Dime
- 1944 Mercury Dime
- 1945 Mercury Dime
Value
Mercury dimes are worth at least their weight in silver, which is $2.37 per coin.
Most Mercury dimes in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value, but the exact value depends on the series and condition of the coin.
The 1916-D Mercury dime is one of the most valuable coins in the series, worth $2,100 in Fine-12 condition.
Proof coins, like those struck from 1936-1942, will sell for higher prices than their circulated counterparts.
The silver melt value for each coin is calculated from the current silver spot price of $32.77 per ounce.
Here's a list of some of the most valuable Mercury dimes:
These prices are for problem-free examples in Fine-12 condition, but the value of a Mercury dime can vary depending on its condition and series.
Specific Coins and Variations
The 1916 Mercury Dime can fetch tens of thousands of dollars in mint state quality.
A mint state quality specimen of the 1916 Mercury Dime is highly valuable.
The Mercury dime series had problems when inserted into vending machines, which was one of the reasons it ended.
The Barber dime was intended to be replaced by the Mercury dime, which went into circulation on October 30, 1916.
Between 1916 and 1945, the Mercury dime was minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Notable Key Dates
The Mercury Dime series has some truly remarkable coins, and I'm excited to share some of the most notable key dates with you.
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is the most coveted date in the series, with a mere 264,000 mintage. This is because the Denver Mint was instructed to produce quarters instead of dimes in November 1916, leading to a significant shortage of dimes.
A 1921 Mercury Dime in circulation can range in value from $60 to $1,350, depending on its condition. This is a significant difference from the value of an uncirculated D dime, which can fetch up to $8,000.
The 1941/42 Overdate is another notable key date, with both Philadelphia and Denver issues featuring this unique error. The Denver version is particularly rare, making it a highly sought-after coin among collectors.
Here are some of the key dates in the Mercury Dime series:
- 1916-D: 264,000 mintage
- 1921: 1,230,000 mintage
- 1941/42 Overdate (Denver): Extremely rare, highly sought after by collectors
I Have a Dime
If you have a Mercury Dime, you're likely curious about its worth. A number of factors influence a mercury dime's value, including mintage, collector demand, important dates, specific conditions, and good grades.
Rare coins are rare because of their historical, cultural, or supply-and-demand significance. If your Mercury Dime is rare, it's worth taking a closer look.
To determine if your coin is rare, take a thorough look at it, inspect it, and decide if it belongs in the rare category. If you believe it's rare, send clear images of the coin to the grading expert or coin grading organization.
The grade of a coin is crucial in determining its value. A higher grade means a higher value. For example, a PR69 grade is worth more than a PR68 grade.
Here's a list of some notable Mercury Dime Proof coins:
If you're unsure about your coin's value, consider consulting with a coin expert. They can help you decide on a price and list it on auction sites like eBay, Heritage Auction, or Stack's Bowers.
Full Bands & Proof
Full Bands & Proof Mercury Dimes can be quite valuable, especially if they're in high grades. A 1938-S Mercury dime with Full Bands can sell for six figures.
The 1945 Philadelphia Mercury dime is a great example of how Full Bands can greatly impact a coin's value. This date is common in absolute terms, but rare in the highest Mint State grades with Full Bands, with prices reaching around $20,000 for a Mint State-66.
Full Bands Mercury Dimes often vary in price not just by grade, but also by overall eye appeal. This makes the area of pricing for these coins exceptionally nuanced.
The 1936 proof Mercury dime is an exception to the typical price range for proof Mercury dimes, selling for closer to $850 and up.
1916-D Dime
The 1916-D Mercury dime is a highly sought-after rarity, with only 484,000 examples made and a fraction of those existing today. It's a difficult piece to find in pocket change, so buying one from a coin dealer is often the best way to acquire it.
This coin is famous for its rarity, and its wide visibility has pushed values up. In low circulated grades, it can trade for around $1,000. Nicer specimens, such as those in Extremely Fine-40, can sell for around $5,500.
The 1916-D Mercury dime is highly valuable, especially in uncirculated grades with Full Bands, which can take in more than $10,000.
$5 Bankroll Highlights
Buying $5 face value rolls of Mercury Dimes is a great way to find coins to fill holes in a collection. These rolls contain 40 coins, making it a convenient and affordable way to add to your collection.
The Mercury Dime is a legal tender coinage minted annually by the US Mint between 1916 and 1945. This means that these coins were widely circulated and can be found in many collections.

Each $5 face value roll contains about 0.715 troy ounces of silver, given that the coins are made of an alloy mixed with 90% silver and 10% copper. This is a significant amount of silver, especially considering the coin's relatively low face value.
Collector albums are available from Amazon and eBay made by Whitman and Littleton. These albums are labeled for all years and mint mark variations from 1916 until 1945, allowing for the easy organization of Mercury Dime collections.
The value of Mercury Dimes is primarily based on their silver content rather than numismatic value. This makes them a great option for investors looking for a tangible and secure way to hold silver.
Values and Factors
Mercury dimes are worth at least their weight in silver, which is $2.37 per coin, calculated from the current silver spot price of $32.77 per ounce.
The value of a Mercury dime depends on its series and condition. Circulated common dates are worth close to melt value, while semi-keys and varieties can trade at significant premiums. The 1916-D Mercury dime, for example, is worth $2,100 in Fine-12 condition.
Most Mercury dimes in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value, with proof coins selling for even higher prices. The value of a Mercury dime can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on its rarity and condition.
Specifications

The Mercury Dime is a type of coin that was widely used from 1916 to 1945.
Its face value is a mere $0.10, but its composition is what makes it valuable. The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The total weight of a Mercury Dime is 2.5 grams, which is relatively light. However, it's the silver content that gives it its worth.
The silver weight of a Mercury Dime is 0.07234 ounces, a small but significant amount. This is what contributes to its current silver bullion value of $2.37.
Values Varying by Factors
Values vary greatly depending on several factors, making Mercury dimes a fascinating collectible option for many.
The value of a Mercury dime can range from its melt value to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on its condition, series, and rarity. Mercury dimes are worth at least their weight in silver, with a melt value of $2.37 per coin, calculated from the current silver spot price.

The presence of Full Bands (FB) details can significantly increase a Mercury dime's value, as seen with the 1938-S Mercury dime graded Mint State-68 FB, which sold for $364,250 at public auction.
Most Mercury dimes in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value, while proof coins will sell for higher prices.
Mercury dimes have a relatively small number of expensive coins, making it possible to build a set for an affordable price. Most dates not mentioned in the price list can be bought in the lower grades for at or near melt value.
The 1916-D Mercury dime is one of the most valuable coins, worth $2,100 in Fine-12 condition.
Here are some notable Mercury dimes and their values:
These values are for problem-free examples in Fine-12 condition, and collectors can often find these coins for lower prices in the Good-4 range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dime is worth $10,000?
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is worth over $10,000 due to its rarity and historical significance. Learn more about this valuable coin and others like it.
Sources
- https://www.boldpreciousmetals.com/blogs/mercury-dimes-worth-money
- https://findbullionprices.com/p/Mercury-Dimes-5-dollars-Face-Value/
- https://www.gainesvillecoins.com/blog/mercury-dime-values
- https://www.silverrecyclers.com/coins/mercury-dimes.aspx
- https://www.gainesvillecoins.com/blog/most-valuable-dimes
Featured Images: pexels.com