Mercury Head Dimes Coin Guide-Pictures

MERCURY HEAD DIMES (1892-1916)

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1916

1916-D Key Date

1916-S

1917

1917-D

1917-S

1918

1918-D

1918-S

1919

1919-D

1919-S

1920

1920-D

1920-S

1921

1921-D

1923

1923-S

1924

1924-D

1924-S

1925

1925-D

1925-S

1926

1926-D

1926-S

1927

1927-D

1927-S

1928

1928-D

1928-S

1929

1929-D

1929-S

1930

1930-S

1931

1931-D

1931-S

1934

1934-D

1935

1935-D

1935-S

1936

1936-D

1936-S

1937

1937-D

1937-S

1938

1938-D

1938-S

1939

1939-D

1939-S

1940

1940-D

1940-S

1941

1941-D

1941-S

1942

1942-D

1942-S

1943

1943-D

1943-S

1944

1944-D

1944-S

1945

1945-D

1945-S

Notes:

In 1916, a new Dime design was introduced to replace the old Barber design that had been in use since 1892. Designed by A.A. Weinman, the new design featured a portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a winged cap. Because of the resemblance to the Roman god, Mercury, the coin became known popularly as the "Mercury Head" Dime. The reverse blends a Roman fasces (ax surrounded by a tied bundle of sticks) and an olive branch, indicating America's military readiness but also their desire for peace.

The Mercury Head Dime series is one of the most popular in all of American numismatics. Apart from the 1916-D and 1942 overdates, most dates are obtained with little difficulty. However, several of the dates are extremely rare in high grade. The most desirable issues are those with Full Split Bands on the reverse, which means all of the bands that hold the fasces together on the reverse must be clearly and completely separated. While much attention is focused on the central bands, the bands on the ends of the fasces must be separated, as well. Again, many dates are extremely rare in Gem condition with Full Split Bands.

Cherry Picker's List:

1916-D This is the key to the series and it is eagerly sought after in all grades.

1921 Scarce, semi-key issue.

1921-D Scarce, semi-key issue.

1942 Look for the rare 1942/1 over date on circulation strikes only.

1942-D Look for the rare 1942/1-D over date.

1945 Uncirculated examples with Full Split Bands are very rare.

1945-D

1945-S Comes with a normally sized mint mark and a very tiny "Micro S".

1916-D

1921-P

1921-D

1926-S (Look for this coin in higher grades, (Book Value) BV will dramatically increase.)

1931-D

1942/1

1942/1-D

Date/Mint Mark	Grade	Value
1916	G4	$2.50
1916-D Dramatically increases in higher grades	G4	$1,400
1916-S	G4	$2.50
1917	G4	$2.50
1917-D	G4	$3.00
1917-S	G4	$2.50
1918	G4	$2.50
1918-D	G4	$3.00
1918-S	G4	$2.50
1919	G4	$2.50
1919-D	G4	$3.50
1919-S	G4	$3.00
1920	G4	$2.50
1920-D	G4	$2.50
1920-S	G4	$2.50
1921 Increases substantially in higher grades	G4	$40
1921-D Increases substantially in higher grades	G4	$50
1923	G4	$2.50
1923-S	G4	$2.50
1924	G4	$2.50
1924-D	G4	$3.00
1924-S	G4	$2.50
1925	G4	$2.50
1925-D	G4	$3.00
1925-S	G4	$2.50
1926	G4	$2.50
1926-D	G4	$2.50
1926-S Greatly increases in higher grades	G4	$2.50
1927	G4	$2.50
1927-D	G4	$3.00
1927-S	G4	$2.50
1928	G4	$2.50
1928-D	G4	$3.00
1928-S	G4	$2.50
1929	G4	$2.50
1929-D	G4	$2.50
1929-S	G4	$2.50
1930	G4	$2.50
1930-S	G4	$2.50
1931	G4	$3.00
1931-D Greatly increases in higher grades	G4	$7.00
1931-S	G4	$3.00
1934	G4	$2.50
1934-D	G4	$2.50
1935	G4	$2.50
1935-D	G4	$2.50
1935-S	G4	$2.50
1936	G4	$2.50
1936-D	G4	$2.50
1936-S	G4	$2.50
1937	G4	$2.50
1937-D	G4	$2.50
1937-S	G4	$2.50
1938	G4	$2.50
1938-D	G4	$2.50
1938-S	G4	$2.50
1939	G4	$2.50
1939-D	G4	$2.50
1939-S	G4	$2.50
1940	G4	$2.50
1941	G4	$2.50
1941-D	G4	$2.50
1941-S	G4	$2.50
1942/1 Dramatically increases in higher grades	G4	$450
1942-D	G4	$2.50
1941/42-D Increases in higher grades	G4	$400
1942-S	G4	$2.50
1943	G4	$2.50
1943-S	G4	$2.50
1944	G4	$2.50
1944-D	G4	$2.50
1944-S	G4	$2.50
1945	G4	$2.50
1945-D	G4	$2.50
1945-S	G4	$2.50
1945-S Micro S	G4	$2.50

The listed values are for the grade G4, except the proofs, because Mercury Dimes are commonly found in this condition. Coins that are damaged, scratched or cleaned in any way will be less then values listed in price guides. Also, the below values are just examples of what the date has sold for, and not what a dealer would pay for the same date, mint or grade.