1916 D Denver 10C Mercury Dime Silver Circulated VF Coin Cleaned Altered Surface

Product Description

A 1916 Denver (D) Mercury silver dime in Very Fine (VF) circulated cleaned condition with altered surfaces on the reverse side. This piece displays a metallic light grey silver color/tone with a clear visible date and mint mark, worn but visible diagonal bands, full legends and nice visible details. The reverse side in the fields below 'AMERICA' show a darker area where the surface was smoothed. The total mintage for this date & mint mark: 264,000. Please view our photos for additional information and ask any questions prior to purchase.

The Mercury dime was a silver ten cent piece minted from 1916-1945. Although commonly referred to as a ‘Mercury’ dime, the obverse actually depicts a profiled bust of Liberty with a winged Phrygian cap, and is sometimes also referred to as a ‘Winged Liberty head dime’. Confusion first came about in 1916, the Mercury dimes first year of issue, when the public mistook Liberty with a winged cap for the Roman god Mercury, god of financial gain, commerce, thieves and trickery. The reverse illustrates a fasces to represent unity and strength, and an olive branch to symbolize peace. Mint marks when present are located between the base of the olive branch and the ‘E’ in ‘ONE’. The inception of the Mercury dime came about through the confusion over a previously enacted bill which stated after twenty five years patterns on the dime, quarter, and half dollar could be changed without Congressional approval. Officials at the mint mistook this piece of legislation as the pattern needed to be changed and opened a formal competition. Adolph Weinman, an architectural sculptor, won the designs for the half dollar and dime, and minting began in 1916. Weinman’s initials can be seen on the obverse, to the right of Liberty’s neck. Parameters set for the Mercury Dime are as follows: .900, .100 copper composition, a net weight of .07234 oz. pure silver, total weight of 2.5 grams and featured a 17.9 mm diameter with a reeded edge.