Mercury Dime Values - Including Scarce Mercury Dimes
Mercury dimes, also sometimes called Winged-Liberty Head dimes, made their debut in 1916.
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the Mercury dime is a coin popular among collectors and also enjoys a following among investors.
Most Mercury dimes are fairly common.
They remained in circulation for years after the last Mercury dime was struck by the U.S. Mint in 1945.
They were struck by the tens of millions during many years.
Prices are relatively low, especially for 1930s and 1940s issues. Almost anybody can afford to buy at least one for their collection.
How has the Mercury dime fared in the coin market?...
Rare Mercury Dimes
Mercury dimes are also known for their rarities.
One, the 1916-D, is a "modern rarity" that is as popular in some circles as the famously rare and valuable 1909-S V.D.B. cent.
Because Mercury dimes tend to be collected as a series (with every date and mintmark combination collected as a set), such demand puts pressure on supply.
For that reason, Mercury dimes have seen some price increases over the past several years.
Mercury Dime Values 1994 vs 2009
Let's look at 9 Mercury dimes and see how their prices have changed between the publications of the 1994 edition of the revered A Guide Book of United States Coins and the 2009 edition.
- 1916: $1.50 to $50 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1916: $3 to $45 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1916-D: $325 to $4,500 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1916-D: $900 to $18,000 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1921: $20 to $1,400 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1921: $65 to $1,800 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1921-D: $30 to $1,650 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1921-D: $80 to $1,850 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1926-S: $6 to $1,600 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1926-S: $13-1,500 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1931-D: $6 to $95 in Good to Mint-State 63 (1994 edition)
- 1931-D: $8 to $140 in Good to Mint-State 63 (2009 edition)
- 1942, 2 over 1: $225 to $6,000 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (1994 edition)
- 1942, 2 over 1: $625 to $15,000 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (2009 edition)
- 1942-D 2 over 1: $225 to $4,200 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (1994 edition)
- 1942-D 2 over 1: $675 to $8,000 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (2009 edition)
- 1945-S Micro S: $1.25 to $65 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (1994 edition)
- 1945-S Micro S: $2 to $100 in Fine to Mint-State 65 (2009 edition)
Scarce Mercury Dimes Values
The scarce Mercury dimes have seen very handsome price increases over the past 15 years. The only price that decreased among those listed above was that for the Mint-State 63 1916 Mercury dime.
Yet, despite the price increases listed above, coin investing is risky. Price trends over a period of years are a good indicator of future activity.
But nothing is guaranteed in the world of coin investing. Therefore, use this information only as informational insight, not as a guide to what coins you should invest in.
More Information About The Mercury Dime
Hi, Alex,
You're in the right ballpark there for value. It could be closer to $3-4 if your coin is only lightly worn though.
Unfortunately for those who already have such coins, most 20th century silver coins are actually considered "common" and are worth only a bit of a merkup over bullion value if in well-worn grades. They are still nice coins though and, because they are so hard to find in circulation, certainly worth writing home about if you find one in pocket change!
I have a 1943 S mercury dime.
Its worht like 2 bucks or something less than that right?
I have 2 dimes that I saw on your site one with looks like a lady head with eagle wings and the word Liberty spread out over her head. It also said in God we trust the year 1944. On the other side it looks like a pillar or something with brances on either side of it. The other dime has a man's hean facing left with the word liberty in front of him, year 1946 and on the other side a torch with two branches on either side of it. Can you please tell me how much they are worth? Thanks...
I have a 1lbs silver dime 1989 that I would like to know the value and importance of it.