It was time for a change away from Barber coinage that had served the United States since 1892.
The former coins had the same basic obverse design, and each was saddled with an uninspiring reverse.
None could capture the American spirit like the coins that would ultimately replace them.
The Mercury dime was the lowest denomination of the three main "classical" coins.
It also had the highest mintages by a substantial margin given its far greater need in everyday commerce.
A child might have received one for their allowance in the 1940's.
The Mercury dime was put to rest in the same year as Franklin Roosevelt, whose face would replace Liberty's on the obverse of the coin in 1946.
Mercury dimes have similar specifications as Barber or Roosevelt dimes.
Like other circulating silver coins, they contain the usual ratio of ninety percent silver and ten percent copper.
At 2.5 grams, this amounts to a precious metal content of .07234 ounces troy.
The diameter is also the same, at 17.91mm, or .705 inches.
The value of silver bullion during their period of circulation was insufficient to justify their hoarding because they would have contained less than ten cents worth of the metal.
Far and away, the key date to the Mercury dime series is the 1916-D; in fact, this is the only date that carries much value in well-circulated condition.
1916-D has always been rare and highly sought after.
One might consider the 1921-P, 1921-D, and 1926-S as semi-keys to the series, but even these dates are not prohibitively scarce until one reaches higher circulated grades.
At the uncirculated level, several early mintmarked dates are difficult to obtain, especially for a collector attempting to acquire coins with the coveted "Full Bands" designation, a criterion considering how well-struck the reverse devices are.
The three sets of horizontal bands connecting the fasces must be fully separated to qualify for "FB."
The 1942/41 overdate is the most popular variety in the series, and none other seems to attract near the same level of interest.
This variety is less expensive than the 1916-D, but more costly than any other date.
Mercury dimes are attractive silver coins, and the entire set, save for the 1916-D, can be collected in circulated condition on a modest budget.
Many collections for sale are complete minus the key date.
Strike is a factor in so far as the issue of split bands is considered.
The problem of weakly struck bands usually does not detract from the coin's overall appearance and often cannot even be determined without magnification.
Collecting "FB" coins will likely remain in the purview of the specialist.
Authenticity is a serious concern with regard to the 1916-D, and spurious coins with added D-mintmarks are abundant.
Professional authentication is highly recommended when purchasing the 1916-D.
The collector is probably safe buying any other date.
Primary Obverse Devices:
The coin's obverse features the personification of Liberty.
She is wearing a Phrygian Cap, a symbol synonymous with the concept of liberty, having been used in both the American and French Revolutions.
Liberty's cap is depicted as a winged cap, often thought to have resembled that worn by the Roman God Mercury;
hence, the "Winged Liberty" dime is usually called the "Mercury" dime.
Date, Mintmark, and Designer Initials:
The date can be located on the obverse snug between Liberty and the rim at the five o'clock position.
Mercury dimes were minted every year from 1916 until 1945, with the exceptions of 1922, 1932, and 1933.
The mintmark is found on the reverse to the left of the six o'clock position and also very close to the rim.
Coins minted in Philadelphia do not bear a mintmark, and those minted in Denver or San Francisco show "D" or "S" mintmarks, respectively.
The monogram "AW" appears on the obverse to the northeast of the date; this stands for designer Adolph Weinman.
Primary Reverse Devices:
Fasces adorn the center of the coin's reverse.
This symbol usually consists of a collection of wooden rods strapped together in a coherent pattern and often accompanied by a battle axe.
Fasces have been used since antiquity when their inclusion implied firm dictatorial power.
Such usage was restored in the twentieth century by fascist movements, particularly in Italy.
Presently, a symbol of fasces implies strength in unity, much like a collection of rods is stronger than any single stick.
Mottoes:
Despite their small size and ambitiously presented devices, Mercury dimes include all three mottoes commonly found on United States coins.
"Liberty" is written in relatively large letters around much of the obverse rim.
Liberty implies the spirit of freedom, especially freedom from political oppression, and has been an American theme since the country's founding.
"E. Pluribus Unum," more humbly written on the coin's reverse, right of the fasces, literally translates to "out of many, one."
This motto represents the coming together of the original thirteen colonies into a single country during the nation's founding.
The obverse also includes the motto "In God We Trust," featured to the left of the personification of liberty.
This motto became popular in the United States during the Civil War.
There is some debate over whether the phrase has a purely religious meaning or if cultural and political implications are assumed as well.
Other Secondary Devices:
The reverse fasces is flanked by an olive branch bearing numerous fruit.
The olive branch symbolizes peace, hence the phrase "extending an olive branch."
The juxtaposition of the ostensibly aggressive fasces and the peaceful olive branch combine to form the ideal of government in the early twentieth century, one of peace through strength and unity.
The coin's reverse also features two stars functioning as dividers between the denomination and country of origin.
Country and Denomination:
Both the country of origin and the coin's denomination are found on the reverse.
Each wraps around the outside of the coin adjacent to the rim, with the denomination at the bottom and "United States of America" written above.
They are separated by two stars.
