Whitman Expo
1921 Dime MS FB Values
Details
The 1921 Mercury dime is a popular semi-key date with the third-lowest mintage of the series, behind the 1921-D (second) and 1916-D (first). This issue's low mintage, barely above 1.2 million, was in part due to a mild recession that had set in following World War I. Also, the United States Mint was focusing a great deal of its production effort toward making silver dollars in 1921.
For the most part, 1921 Mercury dimes were not saved in huge numbers by collectors. And with relatively few to begin with the surviving quantity of Full Bands examples simply was not very high. In total, there are only a few hundred Mint State examples with full details in the horizontal bands across the fasces on the reverse. In grades above MS66FB, the 1921 is a true rarity. One PCGS/CAC example graded MS67 went for $32,200 in a 2010 Heritage Auctions event.
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Beware of altered-date or counterfeit specimens, as well as authentic 1921 Mercury dimes with the bands artificially split -- something that is sometimes done with a tool as simple as a sharp pen knife. Unless skilled with spotting fakes and key diagnostics on real coins, opt for third-party-graded specimens of this coin whenever possible.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $5.81
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.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,230,000
Coinage Type:
Winged liberty head (Mercury) dime
Coinage Years:
1916-1945
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
2.5 gr
Weight:
0.08 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.0723 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
17.9 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, W, 1921
Obverse Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DIME
Reverse Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
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