Mercury Dime (Winged Liberty Head Dime)

United States · 1944

A classic US silver dime featuring the profile of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap on the obverse and a fasces with olive branches on the reverse, housed in a cardboard 2x2 coin flip.

Country: United States
Year: 1944
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 September 13, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A classic US silver dime featuring the profile of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap on the obverse and a fasces with olive branches on the reverse, housed in a cardboard 2x2 coin flip.

Historical significance

Designed by Adolph A. Weinman and minted from 1916 to 1945, the Mercury dime is widely considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing US coin designs. The term 'Mercury' was a misnomer by the public who mistook the winged cap of Liberty for the Roman god Mercury. This 1944 issue was minted near the end of World War II.

Obverse (front)

Left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought, inscribed with 'LIBERTY', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and the year '1944'.

Reverse (back)

A fasces symbolizing unity and strength, bound together with an olive branch representing peace, surrounded by the inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE DIME'.

Estimated value

$2.50-$5.00 in circulated condition, $10-$30+ in uncirculated condition depending on mint mark and banding.

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade, full split bands (FSB) on the reverse fasces, and mint mark.

Grade assessment

Appears to be in About Uncirculated (AU) to Mint State (MS) condition based on the visible details and light luster, though difficult to grade precisely through the plastic window.

Mintage & rarity

Common date with high mintage numbers across all three mints during WWII, making it very accessible for collectors.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check the weight (2.50g), perform a ping test if raw, and verify the reeded edge. Counterfeits for common dates like 1944 are rare since the silver melt value and low collector premium usually deter forgery.

Notable varieties & errors

Full Bands (FB) designation—where the central horizontal bands on the fasces are fully separated—commands a significant premium. Look out for minor doubled die obverse varieties.

Similar coins

Roosevelt Dime, which replaced the Mercury dime in 1946.

Care & preservation

Keep the coin inside its protective 2x2 cardboard flip to prevent scratches and tarnishing. Never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning or polishing severely damages its numismatic value.