Whitman Expo
1921 Dime MS Values
Details
The Mercury dime series doesn’t have many absolute semi-key dates, but those that it does boast are very challenging issues by every measure. The 1921 is one such piece, with the third-lowest mintage among regular issues in the series and even smaller pool of survivors.
1921 Mercury dimes are very scarce across the board, though can be had for a price in the circulated grades. Above XF to AU, this piece becomes rare, and they’re very rare in the uncirculated grades. Beware of counterfeits and cleaned specimens posing as higher-grade pieces.
The 1921 Mercury dime has a story similar to many other United States Mint issues from that year; a minor recession reduced the need for much new coinage, and any production effort at the US Mint was focused on producing new silver dollars (of which there were two types in 1921: Morgan and Peace). Thus, the majority of series in 1921 saw low mintage figures, including the Lincoln cent.
Both the 1921 and 1921-D Mercury dimes are very scarce. In the wake of the mentioned recession, no dimes were made in 1922, with production resuming in 1923.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $5.56
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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