The Mercury dime is an early 20th-century emblem bearing dates from two World Wars, the Great Depression,
and more than three decades of American history. It can also be valuable.
Mercury dime values can reach six digits for rare years and nice coins. If you have these dimes in your coin collection, you may have a treasure.
Full-band Mercury Dime 1919-D Few of the almost 10 million Mercury dimes minted at the Denver Mint in 1919 had "full bands." Three sets of bands hold a bundle of sticks and an axe on the coin's back. Full-band Mercury dimes have a divided middle band.
Full-band Mercury Dime 1916-D The 1916-D Mercury dime has entire bands and is unusual. Denver minted only 264,000 dimes in 1916 because it had to stop production to fulfil a late quarter order.
1918 Mercury Dime Full Bands Collectors prize the 1918-S Mercury dime, which is hard to locate with intact bands. Rare coins in near-mint condition are hard to locate. Condition again affects Mercury dime values. One in perfect condition sold for $144,000 in 2019.
1919 Mercury Dime Full Bands Like the 1919-D, full-banded 1919-S coins are rare. Nearly nine million of these coins were struck, however they weren't collected like the 1916 dime. This increased coin circulation, making immaculate coins rare.
1942/1 Mercury Dime Full Bands When the dies for the new year are made, one year's date can be stamped over another, causing overdating. The 1942/1 Mercury dime has a 1 and 2 in the year's last digit. Very rare error. A coin with full bands and mint condition is worth a lot. One sold for $120,000 in 2018.