United States of America (USA) 10 Cents 1916-1945

History

10 Cents 1916-1945, KM# 140, United States of America (USA)

Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions

Description

The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman (AAW) and also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, it gained its common name as the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury.

The Mercury Head Dime series is one of the most popular in all of American numismatics. Apart from the 1916-D and 1942 overdates, most dates can be obtained with little difficulty. However, several of the dates are extremely rare in high grade. The most desirable issues are those with Full Split Bands on the reverse, which means all of the bands that hold the fasces together on the reverse must be clearly and completely separated. While much attention is focused on the central bands, the bands on the ends of the fasces must be separated, as well. Again, many dates are extremely rare in Gem condition with Full Split Bands.

Obverse	Symbol, amulet, talisman Phrygian cap, Libertas (Liberty, Marianne) Depicts an allegory of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap (freedom of thought) surrounded with the word "LIBERTY" and accompanied with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". DAte below. Weinman never disclosed the name of the model for the obverse, and no person ever claimed to have been her. The winged Liberty is widely believed, however, to have been based on a 1913 bust Weinman sculpted of Elsie Stevens, wife of Wallace Stevens. A lawyer and insurance executive, Wallace Stevens later became famous as a poet; Wallace and Elsie Stevens rented an apartment from Weinman from 1909 to 1916. LIBERTY IN GOD WE TRUST AAW 1919
Reverse	Symbol, amulet, talisman Fasces Tree, flower, plant etc. Olive Depicts a Roman fasces (ax surrounded by a tied bundle of sticks) and an olive branch, indicating America's military readiness but also their desire for peace. It is accompanied by the motto "E • PLURIBUS UNUM" and surrounded with the facial value and the lettering "UNITED • STATES • OF • AMERICA". Mintmark (if any) located between letter "E" in "ONE" and the base of the olive branch. E • PLURIBUS UNUM UNITED • STATES • OF • AMERICA * ONE DIME * D
Edge	Reeded (milled) 118 reeds

10 Cents

Mercury Dime

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1916-1945 United States of America (USA)

KM# 140 Schön# 133

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Stephanie Lindsey 0
United States of America (USA)

Characteristics

Material	Silver
Fineness	0.900
Weight	2.5 g
Diameter	17.9 mm
Thickness	1 mm
Shape	round
Alignment	Coin
Mints	Denver Mint (D) Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark) San Francisco Mint (S)