Mercury Dime 10c 1916-1945 MS FB [Type]

The Mercury dime, more formally known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and debuted in 1916, replacing the Barber (or Liberty Head) dime designed by Charles E. Barber and first released in 1892. The Mercury dime type was in use from 1916 through 1945, with most issues struck from 1916 through 1931 proving much scarcer than those made from 1934 on; none was issued in 1932 or 1933.

In most cases, the least expensive type representatives from the Mercury dime will be found among the pieces issued from 1941 through 1945, certainly the most prolific era for this series in terms of overall mintages and availability of examples in the Gem Mint State grades. While the least expensive issues are from the last years of the series, many type set collectors prefer examples from the first years of the Mercury dime period, during which many notable key and semi-key issues was released, including the 1916-D, 1921, and 1921-D. Several other dates serve as conditional keys and semi-keys, including many of the branch-mint issues from the teens and 1920s.

Full Bands Mercury dimes (often abbreviated to just FB) exhibit full crossbands on the fasces, seen upon the reverse of this coin. FB details are not necessarily rare, though they are indicative of a Mercury dime being well struck and thus is considered by many enthusiasts to exemplify a true representation of this coin, as it fully shows all of the detail intended to be seen by artist Adolph A. Weinman, who designed this coin. Be wary of Mercury dimes that appear to have Full Bands details but in fact have only been altered to appear so. Coin doctors have found several techniques to create the impression of Full Bands details on Mercury dimes, including sculpting lines into the bands by use of a sharpened pen knife.

Obverse Description

Winged Liberty, or Mercury (the Roman god of commerce), is depicted facing left with LIBERTY spelled around the periphery. IN GOD WE TRUST appears left of the neck and the date is positioned just below the bust around 5 o'clock. The designer's initials "AW" appear to the right of the neck.

Reverse Description

A large torch is centered vertically adorned with an axe head and olive branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN * ONE DIME * is spelled out around the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears near the bottom rim left of the torch.