10 Most Valuable Mercury Dimes

The most valuable Mercury Dimes are the following:

• 1916-D Mercury Dime: $650-$40,000
• 1921-D Mercury Dime: $40-$28,800
• 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate: $300-$26,000
• 1921 Mercury Dime: $35-$23,500
• 1919-D Mercury Dime: $2.50-$3,000
• 1938-S Mercury Dime: $2.50-$400
• 1918-D Mercury Dime: $2.50-$2,500
• 1925-S Mercury Dime: $2.50-$1,400
• 1926-S Mercury Dime: $2.50-$1,100
• 1935-S Mercury Dime: $2.50-$3,000

Mercury Dimes, also known as Winged Liberty Head Dimes, were minted between 1916 and 1945 and are among the most sought-after Liberty Dimes for collectors.

With two World Wars bookending the creation of these coins, the Mercury Dime holds a unique historical significance, adding to its desirability. The name “Mercury” comes from a common misinterpretation of Lady Liberty as the Roman god Mercury.

Designed by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, the obverse features Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought. The reverse side showcases a fasces with an olive branch, representing unity and peace.

The Mercury Dime design marked a departure from the most valuable Barber dimes, offering a more artistic and emotionally charged representation of Lady Liberty.

If you own any Mercury Dimes, it’s crucial to get a free coin appraisal online to determine their value.

Now, let’s dive into the top ten most valuable Mercury Dimes.

1916-D Mercury Dime

The 1916-D Mercury Dime has the lowest mintage on this list, with only 264,000 produced. This coin is highly sought after due to its rarity and historical significance, being part of the first year of issues for the Mercury Dimes.

Because of its popularity, it is often counterfeited, making it crucial to know how to spot rare dimes and get them professionally appraised.

In circulated condition, they can fetch prices between $650 and $12,650. Uncirculated coins in pristine condition tend to reach much higher values, with some selling for up to $40,000.

Quick Breakdown: 1916-D Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1921-D Mercury Dime

The 1921-D Mercury Dime is another rare issue of this coin, being second to only the 1916-D Mercury Dime in terms of mintage.

It is considered a semi-key date by collectors due to its historical factors. It was produced during the economic downturn experienced after World War One.

Also, in 1921, the U.S. Mint decided to focus on producing Morgan Silver Dollars due to the Pittman Act, which mandated the melting and recoinage of silver dollars. This is why the mintage is very low compared to others on this list.

Quick Breakdown: 1921-D Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate

Minted in Philadelphia, the 1942/1 Mercury Dime features a unique overdate which adds to its high value. The coins were originally struck in 1941 and were then changed in 1942.

The mintage of this coin is unknown due to the uniqueness of its overdated variety. However, they are fairly common in circulated grades.

In uncirculated grades, these coins are very rare. They can sell for high prices at auction, with the highest being $90,000 in 2023.

Quick Breakdown: 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1921 Mercury Dime

The other valuable 1921 issue of the Mercury Dime was produced in Philadelphia. This coin has the third-lowest mintage on this list, sitting at only 1,230,000.

We can attribute this low mintage to the return of the Morgan Dollar, for the first time since 1904. The Us Mint used most of their silver reserves for the Morgan Dollars and the other denominations ended up having lower mintages as a result.

The value of the 1921 Mercury Dime varies significantly based on its condition. Its rarity as well as unique historical significance, makes it a rare and enticing coin to collect.

In 2010, one of these coins went for $32,200 in auction. You can expect circulated versions of this coin to fetch lower prices.

Quick Breakdown: 1921 Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1919-D Mercury Dime

Known for its scarcity and value in high grades, the 1919-D Mercury Dime is another valuable issue of this coin.

It is considered extremely rare in higher grades. In fact, one particularly high-grade example of this coin sold for a whopping $156,000 at auction in 2019.

However, its circulated value is a lot lower than this, sitting at between $2.50 and $264.

Quick Breakdown: 1919-D Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1938-S Mercury Dime

The 1938-S Mercury Dime is another valuable issue of this coin. While not the rarest year by far on this list, it is still very hard to find this coin in mint condition.

It is most notable for its auction price of $364,250 in 2019. This is, unfortunately, not a typical selling price for this coin! The high price was due to the fact that this coin was well preserved.

Quick Breakdown: 1938-S Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company

1918-D Mercury Dime

The 1918-D Mercury Dime is an early issue in the series. It has one of the highest mintages on this list and is valued between $2.50 and $120 in circulated condition.

In fact, this coin is not rare at all in circulated grades! It makes this list because it is incredibly rare in mint condition, especially for Full Band versions.

This coin can go for upwards of $1,000 in mint condition.

Quick Breakdown: 1918-D Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1925-S Mercury Dime

Known for its rarity and value, the 1925-S Mercury Dime is one of the more common issues on this list. It has a mintage of 5,850,000 and was produced following World War One, half a decade before the Great Depression.

This coin was minted in San Francisco. Its value varies depending on its condition, with highly preserved coins fetching around $1,000 or more.

Quick Breakdown: 1925-S Mercury Dime

Image Credit: USA Coin Book

1926-S Mercury Dime

The 1926-S Mercury Dime is rare and valuable, especially in mint condition. These coins have one of the lowest mintages on this list and also in the entire series, with only 1,520,000 produced.

They were minted during a period of economic growth and cultural change in the U.S. following the First World War.

In lower grades, this issue can sell for around $13 to $60. However, the value increases significantly with better-preserved versions.

Quick Breakdown: 1926-S Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

1935-S Mercury Dime

The 1935-S Mercury Dime is quite valuable, especially when in high-grade condition. This coin has a higher mintage than most coins on this list, so it is considered relatively common among collectors.

However, its value varies greatly depending on its condition; its commonality is the reason why it is ranked at number 10 instead of higher.

The high-grade versions of this coin are very sought after. In 2019, one such coin sold for $90,000 in auction.

Quick Breakdown: 1935-S Mercury Dime

Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service

Other Rare and Valuable U.S. Coins

While Mercury Dimes are highly collectible, other coins also hold significant value. Some of the most sought-after coins include the most valuable Seated Liberty dimes, which are rare 19th-century dimes that command high prices.

Additionally, rare and valuable dimes can be worth a substantial amount, and certain rare U.S. half dollars have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. If you’re interested in coin collecting or selling your rare dimes, understanding the market value is crucial.

How To Determine the Value of Your Mercury Dimes

If you think you might have a rare Mercury Dime, the best way to determine its worth is to get a professional appraisal.

Coinfully offers a free coin appraisal online with zero obligation, allowing you to make an informed decision about your collection.

Conclusion

Mercury Dimes are among the most valuable and sought-after coins for collectors. Their unique design, historical significance, and low mintages contribute to their increasing market value.

If you think you might have a rare Mercury Dime, it’s important to get it appraised by experts. You can start with a free coin appraisal online to determine the value of your dimes without any obligation.

If you’re ready to sell your Mercury Dimes, Coinfully provides a secure and hassle-free experience.

With our zero-pressure coin selling approach, you can ship your coins securely and receive payment within one business day. You’ll also get expert valuations with no obligation to sell, ensuring you maximize your profit with competitive market pricing.