Rare Coins Daily Rare coin guides and inquiries

MERCURY DIME

ONE-PAGE SORT GUIDE 1916–1945
KEY DATES • 90% SILVER • OVERDATES • FULL BANDS • MINTMARKS • ERRORS
SORTING LEGEND
P1Pull Immediately / Authenticate
P2Check Carefully / Better Date
P3Common / Condition Pull
FBFull Bands / Full Split Bands
OVDOverdate
DDODoubled Die Obverse
Ag90% silver
AUTHAuthenticate before selling
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Microscope
or 10x loupe
0.01g
Scale
Good
Lighting
Reference
Guide
1P1 MONEY COINS
Date / IssuePri.What To Check
1916-DP1Denver mintmark on reverse; most counterfeited key
1921P1Low-mintage Philadelphia key date
1921-DP1Low-mintage Denver key date
1926-SP2Better date; important in higher grades
1942/1P1Philadelphia overdate; doubled die diagnostics
1942/1-DP1Denver overdate; authenticate

1916-D

1916-D Mercury dime PCGS placeholder

Confirm reverse D mintmark; third-party authentication strongly recommended.

1942/1

1942 over 1 Mercury dime PCGS placeholder

Look for 1941 undertype traces and date doubling.

Overdate Detail

1942 over 1 Mercury dime alternate placeholder

Use date shape and die markers; avoid altered dates.

Series Type

Mercury dime reverse placeholder

Reverse fasces carries Full Bands diagnostics.

2KEY DATES & SILVER
Date / RangePri.Notes
1916-DP1Mintage 264,000; authenticate
1921P1Mintage 1,230,000
1921-DP1Mintage 1,080,000
1926-SP2Mintage 1,520,000; better date
1931-DP2Mintage 1,260,000; better date
1931-SP2Mintage 1,800,000; better date
Silver Edge
Clad Edge
Specs: Mercury dimes are 90% silver and 10% copper, have a reeded edge, 17.90mm diameter, and standard weight of 2.50g.
3MAJOR VARIETIES
VarietyPri.Diagnostic
1916-D Added Mintmark FakesP1Watch for altered 1916 Philadelphia dimes
1942/1 FS-101P1Notched 4, 1941 undertype traces, motto doubling
1942/1-DP1Denver overdate; scarcer and harder to see than P
1945-S Micro SP2Small S mintmark; popular minor variety
Proofs 1936–1942P2Mirrored fields; not circulation strikes
Full BandsP2Strike designation; major premium on scarce dates
1942/1 key diagnostics: PCGS notes a notched doubled 4, 1941 undertype traces, doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and Y in LIBERTY, plus die polish markers.
4STRIKE & CONDITION DIAGNOSTICS
Mercury dime obverse placeholder OBVERSE
Mercury dime reverse placeholder REVERSE / FASCES
FeaturePull If
Full BandsAll fasces bands are clearly and completely separated
RimsFull, undamaged rims; key for circulated 1916-D
Liberty HeadSharp hair, wing, and cap detail
ReverseStrong fasces, olive branch, and lettering detail
SurfacesOriginal luster / toning; no cleaning scratches
Full Bands warning: PCGS says the end bands must be separated too, not just the center bands.
5ERROR COINS
Error / VarietyPri.What To Look For
Wrong PlanchetP1Wrong weight, size, color, or metal
Major Off-CenterP1Visible date preferred
BroadstrikeP2No collar, expanded rim
Clipped PlanchetP2Curved or straight clip
Major Die Break / CudP2Large raised break
LaminationP2Metal peel or retained lamination
Weigh suspects: normal Mercury dime weight is 2.50g. Wrong-planchet suspects need accurate weight and clear photos.
6QUICK SORT CHECKLIST

CHECK FIRST

  1. 1916-D
  2. 1921
  3. 1921-D
  4. 1926-S
  5. 1931-D
  6. 1931-S
  7. 1942/1
  8. 1942/1-D
  9. 1945-S Micro S
  10. Full Bands candidates
Fast workflow: read date → check reverse mintmark → separate key dates → inspect 1942 dates → check bands → pull proofs, errors, and original high-grade coins.
Authenticate: 1916-D, 1942/1, 1942/1-D, and any expensive Full Bands key date before sale.
Notice Updated