Greysheet Catalog Details (GSID: 4523)
The big key-date for the Mercury dime series is the 1916-D, a piece many numismatic experts regard as one of the most important regular-issue rarities of the 20th century. In terms of popularity and numismatic significance, the 1916-D Mercury dime is on par with the 1909-S VDB and 1914-D Lincoln cents, 1916 Standing Liberty quarter, or 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarter.

This coin survives in far smaller numbers today than some people would probably realize. Perhaps only 10,000 exist, which is but a fraction of the 264,000 minted. It’s rare in all grades and is most commonly encountered in the circulated range of Good to Very Fine, with even these pieces easily taking a four-figure price. Mint State examples, and especially those in the Gem grades, are particularly rare. At the very least, most 1916-D Mercury dimes are well struck, so when uncirculated specimens do cross the path, it shouldn’t be very difficult to find nice examples among those.

The 1916-D Mercury dime is one of the most commonly faked 20th-century coins, and both wholesale and retail buyers should be cautious about buying raw specimens. Many fakes consist of real 1916 Philadelphia Mercury dimes with an added D mintmark. Of course, a great many others are cast counterfeits or pieces struck from crudely made and nefarious route when dealing with 1916-D Mercury dimes of any grade.
Obverse: Winged Liberty, or Mercury (the Roman god of commerce), is depicted facing left with LIBERTY spelled around the periphery. IN GOD WE TRUST appears left of the neck and the date is positioned just below the bust around 5 o'clock. The designer's initials "AW" appear to the right of the neck.
Reverse: A large torch is centered vertically adorned with an axe head and olive branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN * ONE DIME * is spelled out around the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears near the bottom rim left of the torch.

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