What Mercury Dimes Are Worth Money: Understanding Mint and Rarity

Mercury dimes are a type of US coin that was minted from 1916 to 1945, and they can be worth a pretty penny depending on their condition and rarity.

The 1916-S Mercury dime is a highly sought-after coin among collectors, and it can be worth upwards of $1 million in good condition.

The rarity of a Mercury dime can greatly impact its value, with some dates and mint marks being much harder to find than others.

A 1942 Mercury dime in good condition can fetch a price of around $10 to $20, but its value can increase significantly if it's in excellent condition or has a rare mint mark.

A Mercury dime's mint mark can also affect its value, with coins from the San Francisco and Philadelphia mints being more common than those from the Denver mint.

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Mercury dimes can range in value from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands for the rarest ones.

The value of a Mercury dime is determined by its condition, craftsmanship, and history.

Professional grading services can authenticate and potentially elevate your collection's value, ensuring its authenticity and market worth.

A coin's value can change over time, so it's crucial to stay updated on the market trends and consult with experts.

Mercury dimes are primarily composed of silver, with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.

This intrinsic value mirrors the fluctuating precious metal market.

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The mint mark and rarity of a Mercury dime can greatly impact its value. The Denver Mint, for example, produced only 264,000 1916-D Mercury Dimes, making it the most coveted date in the series.

The 1921 Mercury dime, with a mintage of 1,230,000, is also extremely rare and valuable. In fact, an uncirculated 1921 D dime can fetch up to $8,000.

Here are some notable key dates of Mercury Dimes, sorted by their rarity:

A high mintage, like the 1935-S Mercury Dime, doesn't necessarily mean it's not valuable - its value still varies greatly depending on its condition.

The mint and rarity of a Mercury Dime can greatly impact its value. A coin's mint can determine its rarity, with some mint marks being more scarce than others.

The 1916-D Mercury Dime, made in Denver, is the most coveted date in the series, with just 264,000 mintage. This is due to the fact that the Denver Mint was instructed to manufacture a large quantity of quarters instead of dimes in November 1916.

A coin's rarity can also be influenced by its mintage, with lower mintage numbers resulting in higher values. The 1921 Mercury Dime, for example, had a mintage of 1,230,000, making it a relatively rare coin.

The 1941/42 Overdate, found in both Philadelphia and Denver, is another rare issue in the Mercury Dimes series. This overdate occurs due to the replacement of the 1942/41 Mercury Dime.

The following notable key dates of Mercury Dime, along with their mintage numbers, are:

The value of a Mercury Dime is also based on its condition, with higher condition coins fetching higher prices.

I have a 1921 Mercury Dime in my collection, and let me tell you, it's a real treasure. The 1921 Mercury Dime is one of the rarest and most valuable in the series, with a mintage of just 1,230,000.

The value of a 1921 Mercury Dime in circulation can range from $60 to $1,350, but if it's in uncirculated condition, it can fetch up to $8,000. I've seen some of these coins sell for even higher prices at auction.

The 1916-D Mercury Dime is the most coveted date in the series, with a mintage of just 264,000. It's worth noting that the Denver Mint didn't produce dimes in 1916, so this coin is especially rare.

Here are some notable key dates of the Mercury Dime series:

The 1926-S Mercury Dime is also a rare and valuable coin, with a mintage of only 1,520,000. In mint condition, it can sell for a pretty penny.

The 1918-S Mercury Dime is an early issue in the series, and it's actually not rare at all in circulated grades. However, it's incredibly rare in mint condition, especially for Full Band versions.

In circulated condition, the 1918-S Mercury Dime is valued between $2.50 and $120. This is because it has one of the highest mintages on this list.

This coin can go for upwards of $1,000 in mint condition, making it a valuable find for collectors. The rarity of the 1918-S Mercury Dime in mint condition is due to its low mintage.

Here's a comparison of the mintages of the 1918-S Mercury Dime and other coins on this list:

As you can see, the 1918-S Mercury Dime has a relatively high mintage compared to other coins on this list.

The 1945 Mercury Dime is a notable coin, especially when it comes to its business strike. This coin is graded MS 67+ FB, which is a high level of quality.

In 1945, the mint mark for the Mercury Dime was None, indicating it was minted in Philadelphia. The price of this coin at auction was $96,000, and it was sold on March 1, 2018.

The creation of the Mercury Dime is an interesting story, but let's take a look at the facts about the 1945 Mercury Dime specifically.

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The condition of your Mercury dime is crucial in determining its value. Rare dates and mint marks are also key factors that affect the coin's worth.

A coin's condition is directly tied to its value, regardless of whether it's a rare date or a common one. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for high condition examples.

Grading a coin is a straightforward process that involves visually inspecting the coin and assigning a grade based on the amount of wear and remaining detail. Elements of the design wear and disappear as the coin circulates.

To grade your Mercury dime, compare it to the grading images provided, find the closest match, and assign each a "Grade". Close-up images can help you recognize the condition of your coin.

The process of grading Mercury dimes is detailed in a video that judges key elements of the design and assigns an accurate grade based on the remaining detail.

Mercury dimes are valued in two distinct markets.

The first market is for collector quality dimes, which are higher grade pieces with aesthetic appeal. These dimes are highly sought after by collectors who value their rarity and condition.

The second market is for the abundant dates and mintmark combinations available in large quantities.

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There are two separate markets that determine Mercury dime values. The collector quality dimes are scarce compared to the numbers of bullion pieces.

Collector quality dimes have limited to no wear, pleasing toning to bright mint silver, and few distractions. This makes them highly sought after by collectors.

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To meet high quality, a coin must have limited to no wear and pleasing toning. Collectors develop a preference for a particular "look" and enjoy the search for a suitable example.

These collections are built with all coins closely matching visually. Collectors often view many examples before finding one that meets their preference.

A set of lightly circulated, similarly toned Mercury dimes is an enjoyable challenge to many collectors.

The bullion market for Mercury dimes is a large and active market, where coins are valued based on their silver content. Bullion quality coins are often heavily worn and available in large quantities.

These coins are typically graded as Fine or less, which makes them part of the bullion market. The value of bullion dimes fluctuates with the price of silver.

You can find listings for bullion Mercury dimes starting at $2.21 and going up to $2.67, with the price range updated weekly. Grading the condition of the coin is a crucial factor in determining whether it's a bullion or collector quality coin.

If a coin has all its vertical lines in the Fasces on the reverse showing, it's a strong candidate for collector grade.

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The Philadelphia Mint, located in Philadelphia, is the main and original mint of the US. Its total production of Mercury dimes exceeded 1.7 billion coins, a greater number than the two branch mints combined.

Notable low mintage years are 1921 and 1930, with the 1921 being a scarce coin in any grade. The 1930, on the other hand, is a premium value in higher grades.

Philadelphia did not use a mintmark to indicate its production of coins at the time.

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The San Francisco Mint played a significant role in producing Mercury dimes. It finished striking the last of the Barber series in 1916 and started producing the Mercury dime series the same year.

Over the life of the series, San Francisco contributed just over 440 million Mercury dimes. Production was interrupted a few years, including 1922, 1932, and 1933 when no dimes were struck by any of the mints.

The San Francisco Mint's "S" mintmark can be found on the reverse of the coin. It's located at the base of the Fasces to the left, indicating that the coin was struck in San Francisco.

The Philadelphia Mint is the main and original mint of the US. It's responsible for producing a staggering number of coins.

One notable example is the Mercury dime, with a total production exceeding 1.7 billion coins, a greater number than the two branch mints combined. This is a testament to the mint's massive output.

The 1921 Mercury dime is a scarce coin in any grade, making it highly sought after by collectors. Its rarity is a significant factor in its value.

The 1930 Mercury dime, on the other hand, is a premium value in higher grades. Its value increases significantly as the coin's condition improves.

If you're looking at a Mercury dime without a mintmark at the lower rim, left of the Fasces, it was likely produced at the Philadelphia Mint.