Mercury Dime (Winged Liberty Head Dime)

United States · 1916-1945

A small silver coin featuring Liberty in a winged Phrygian cap on the obverse and a fasces with olive branches on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1916-1945
Denomination: 10 Cents (One Dime)
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 17, 2026More united states coins →

Explore Mercury Dime (Winged Liberty Head Dime) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A small silver coin featuring Liberty in a winged Phrygian cap on the obverse and a fasces with olive branches on the reverse.

Historical significance

Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the Mercury Dime is considered one of the most beautiful U.S. coin designs. Introduced during a period of artistic renaissance in American coinage, it circulated heavily through World War I and II.

Obverse (front)

Liberty facing left wearing a winged Phrygian cap symbolizing freedom of thought, inscribed with 'LIBERTY', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and the year.

Reverse (back)

A fasces symbolizing unity and strength, flanked by an olive branch representing peace, inscribed 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE DIME'.

Estimated value

$2-$5 for common circulated dates, significantly more for key dates (like 1916-D) or uncirculated conditions.

What drives this coin's value

Year and mint mark (especially 1916-D), overall preservation, presence of full split bands (FSB) on the reverse fasces, and absence of cleaning or damage.

Grade assessment

Good to Very Fine (circulated condition with moderate wear on hair details and fasces lines)

Mintage & rarity

Varies widely by year and mint; most dates have multi-million mintages, though 1916-D and 1942/1 overdate are rare key dates.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight (2.5g), diameter, and magnetic properties (silver coins are non-magnetic). Look out for counterfeit 1916-D mint marks added to Philadelphia coins.