Martha Wilson vividly recalls the day she found it-a 1916-D Mercury dime hidden in her grandfather’s old cigar box filled with “special coins.”
As a teenager just beginning to explore numismatics, she instantly recognized the date and mintmark.
“My hands were shaking,” says Wilson, now 67 and a well-known coin dealer in Denver. “Even in the early 1970s, I knew that coin was worth hundreds of dollars. Today, that same dime, which I’m glad I never sold, is valued at over $10,000.”
Stories like Wilson’s fuel the aspirations of coin collectors everywhere. The Mercury dime, officially called the Winged Liberty Head dime, but nicknamed for its resemblance to the Roman god Mercury, was minted from 1916 to 1945.
Today, these iconic dimes are among the most cherished U.S. coins. Certain dates, mintmarks, and varieties can command prices that might surprise even the most dedicated non-collectors.
Here’s a look at 10 Mercury dimes that could be hiding a small fortune in your collection-or even in that jar of old coins you’ve kept tucked away.
1. 1916-D: The Undisputed King
Estimated Value: $1,000–$10,000 in circulated condition; $15,000–$200,000+ in uncirculated condition
No list of valuable Mercury dimes can start without the legendary 1916-D. With a mintage of only 264,000-significantly lower than the millions struck in Philadelphia and San Francisco that year-this coin has been a cornerstone of Mercury dime collecting since the series began.
“The Denver mint focused on quarter production that year,” explains James Rodriguez, numismatic historian and author of American Silver Coinage. “By the time collectors realized how few 1916-D dimes had been struck, most had already entered circulation. Finding one in mint condition today is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Even heavily worn examples, with barely legible dates, command four-figure prices. Well-preserved specimens regularly sell for tens of thousands, and pristine ones have gone for over $200,000 at auction.
Robert Chen, who completed his Mercury dime collection last year, spent almost a decade searching for his 1916-D.
“I passed on several examples that didn’t seem quite right-either the wear pattern was off, or the toning didn’t match. Patience and careful examination are key when it comes to key dates like the ’16-D.”
2. 1921 and 1921-D: Post-War Scarcities
Estimated Value:
- 1921: $50–$2,000 circulated; $3,000–$50,000+ uncirculated
- 1921-D: $100–$3,500 circulated; $5,000–$70,000+ uncirculated
After World War I, economic downturns led to a sharp decline in coin production. As a result, Mercury dime production fell to just 1.23 million in Philadelphia and 1.08 million in Denver for the year 1921.
“The 1921 coins represent the lowest mintages in the series, aside from the 1916-D,” notes Susan Martinez, an appraiser and Mercury dime expert. “What makes them especially rare is that they circulated heavily during the Roaring Twenties and Great Depression, so finding well-preserved examples is exceptionally difficult.”
The Denver issue is priced slightly higher due to its lower mintage, but both coins are considered semi-key dates, highly sought after by collectors.
Thomas Jackson, 74, a retired postal worker who’s collected Mercury dimes since childhood, discovered his 1921-D in an unexpected place.
“I was helping a friend clean out his deceased father’s house in 1983 when we found a box of loose coins in a dresser drawer,” Jackson recalls. “The 1921-D was mixed in with some common coins-worn but unmistakable. I offered him $20 for it, which seemed fair at the time. Today, that same coin would be worth at least $500, even in its worn condition.”
3. 1942/1 and 1942/1-D: The Wartime Overdates
Estimated Value:
- 1942/1 (Philadelphia): $500–$5,000 circulated; $10,000–$75,000+ uncirculated
- 1942/1-D (Denver): $5,000–$20,000 circulated; $40,000–$150,000+ uncirculated
During World War II, the U.S. Mint increased coin production to meet the demands of wartime. This led to an intriguing error: the date “1942” was punched over an existing 1941 die, creating what collectors call an “overdate.” Under magnification, the “1” from the previous year is clearly visible beneath the “2” in the date.
“These overdates appeared at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints,” explains Wilson. “The Philadelphia version is more common, but the Denver version is extremely rare, with only a few hundred known in all conditions.”
The 1942/1-D is one of the most valuable Mercury dimes after the 1916-D. Even worn specimens can fetch five-figure prices, with uncirculated examples regularly exceeding $100,000.
4. 1926-S: The Overlooked Rarity
Estimated Value: $20–$500 circulated; $1,000–$15,000+ uncirculated
While not as well-known as the 1916-D or overdate varieties, the 1926-S has become a condition rarity. Its mintage of 1.5 million isn’t exceptionally low, but finding one in high grade is incredibly difficult.
“The 1926-S was struck from worn dies,” says Martinez. “Even uncirculated examples often show weak strikes, particularly on the reverse bands. A coin with full bands is rare, and it’s much more valuable.”
David Williams, who runs a coin shop in Austin, notes that many collectors overlook the 1926-S.
“Advanced collectors know that the ’26-S with full bands is actually rarer than the ’16-D in top condition. I’ve sold many more 1916-Ds than ’26-Ss with full bands.”
5. 1931-D: Depression-Era Scarcity
Estimated Value: $10–$150 circulated; $500–$5,000+ uncirculated
The Great Depression led to a sharp reduction in coin production, and the 1931-D Mercury dime, with a mintage of just 1.26 million, is among the scarcest.
“Unlike earlier low-mintage issues, collectors were aware of the 1931-D’s potential value,” says Rodriguez. “More were saved in uncirculated condition, but finding top-quality examples with full bands is still difficult.”
Morgan Jenkins, a retired banker, discovered his 1931-D by chance.
“I was cataloging my father’s collection when I came across three 1931-D dimes. I looked up their value and was shocked to see they were worth hundreds of dollars in uncirculated condition.”
6. 1945 Micro S: The Modern Variety
Estimated Value: $20–$100 circulated; $200–$2,000+ uncirculated
In 1945, as the Mercury dime series was nearing its end, a strange variety emerged from the San Francisco Mint: the “Micro S,” where the mintmark was smaller than usual. This occurred because a punch intended for smaller mintmarks used on coins from the Philippines was accidentally used on the dimes.
While not as valuable as some other varieties, the 1945 Micro S remains a notable rarity, especially in uncirculated condition.
7. 1919-D and 1919-S: Condition Rarities
Estimated Value:
- 1919-D: $10–$200 circulated; $1,000–$20,000+ uncirculated with full bands
- 1919-S: $10–$150 circulated; $1,000–$15,000+ uncirculated with full bands
The 1919 dimes from Denver and San Francisco are not particularly rare in worn condition, but they become exceptionally scarce in high-grade, full-band examples.
“These coins were struck from worn dies, resulting in weak details,” says Martinez. “Finding one with fully struck bands is incredibly difficult, and these coins can command significantly higher prices than their mintage might suggest.”
8. 1920-D: The Overlooked Semi-Key
Estimated Value: $10–$150 circulated; $500–$7,500+ uncirculated
The 1920-D, with a mintage of just under 6.6 million, is often overlooked by collectors, despite its relative rarity in high-grade condition.
“The 1920-D is a ‘sleeper’ coin,” says Williams. “It’s hard to find one with a full strike and minimal wear, and when you do, it can be worth much more than you’d expect.”
9. 1918-D and 1918-S: World War I Scarcities
Estimated Value:
- 1918-D: $10–$100 circulated; $500–$8,000+ uncirculated
- 1918-S: $5–$75 circulated; $400–$7,000+ uncirculated
The demands of World War I affected coin production, and as a result, the 1918 dimes from Denver and San Francisco are known for weak strikes, particularly on the reverse.
“Although common in worn condition, finding examples with full bands is exceptionally rare,” says Rodriguez.
10. 1916-S: First-Year Rarity
Estimated Value: $5–$50 circulated; $300–$4,000+ uncirculated
The 1916-S, often overshadowed by its famous Denver counterpart, is also scarce, especially in high grades. It was the first year of Mercury dime production, and while many were saved, they often weren’t carefully preserved.
Tips for Mercury Dime Collectors
- Learn about full bands: “Full bands can significantly increase a coin’s value,” advises Martinez.
- Watch for altered mintmarks: “Be cautious, as some key dates have been altered,” warns Wilson.
- Consider date runs: “If key dates are out of reach, try collecting one example from each year,” suggests Williams.
- Examine strike quality: “Strike quality is critical in determining value,” notes Rodriguez.
- Look for toning: “Original toning can add significant value to Mercury dimes,” says Chen.
Mercury Dimes: A Lasting Legacy
Nearly eight decades after the final Mercury dime was struck, these coins still captivate collectors. Their design, which features Liberty in profile with a winged cap on the obverse and the Roman fasces on the reverse, is considered among the most beautiful in American coinage.
“There’s something magical about Mercury dimes,” says Wilson. “They’ve witnessed some of the most significant events in American history-two World Wars and the Great Depression.”
Whether you’re searching for a rare find like the 1916-D or simply appreciating the artistry of the more common dates, Mercury dimes offer a unique connection to America’s past-proving that sometimes, tremendous value comes in small packages.
“The beauty of coin collecting,” concludes Rodriguez, “is the possibility that a treasure worth thousands could be sitting unnoticed in an old jar or folder.”
