Despite its small size, the Winged Liberty Head dime, more commonly known as the Mercury dime, might be the most attractive coin the US Mint has ever made. It is very amazing that a coin this little could have such a complex and beautiful design.
Whatever name it goes by, the 1916 introduction of this dime was a pleasant change of pace. Indeed, it symbolized more than intellectual independence; it also represented America’s new spirit, an exuberance reflected in the youth and energy of the nation’s new coinage in the early 1900s.
Keep on reading to find out more about this beautiful piece of history.
What Is the 1939 Mercury Dime Made Of?
The 1939 Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime has a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, weighs 2.50 grams, and has a reeded edge. It has a metal composition of 90% Silver and 10% Copper. Adolph Alexander Weinman designed the coin.
Image Source: PCGS
On the coin’s obverse, Lady Liberty donned a Phrygian cap with wings on either side. Because of this particular imagery, many believed it to be the Roman god Mercury. This is where the coin’s famous moniker, Mercury dime, came from.
The stunning design includes the word LIBERTY overarching the design, the year of minting 1939 at the bottom, and the designer’s initials, AW. The well-known saying IN GOD WE TRUST is also inscribed on the left side of the bust’s neck.
On the reverse, you will first see the fasces in the center, which symbolize strength and unity. The universal symbol of peace, the olive branch, is placed around an ax reinforced with a bundle of sticks.
Along the rim of the coin are engraved the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the upper edge and the coin’s denomination, ONE DIME, at the bottom. You can find the coin’s mint mark below the olive branch if available.
1939 Mercury Dime Varieties
Here are the Mercury dime varieties minted in 1939:
| Variety | Mint Location | Mintage |
| 1939 D Mercury Dime | Denver | 24,394,000 |
| 1939 S Mercury Dime | San Francisco | 10,540,000 |
| 1939 P Mercury Dime | Philadelphia | 67,740,000 |
| 1939 Proof Mercury Dime | Philadelphia | 9,321 |
| Total | 102,683,321 |
1939 D Mercury Dime
Year of minting: 1939
Mint Mark: D
Place of minting: Denver
Quantity produced: 24,394,000
Face Value: $0.10 (10 cents)
Price: $2.20 to $6.03 (circulated condition)
Mass: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
From 1937 through 1945, the D-Mint dimes are most frequently found in satisfying condition, and the 1939 D Mercury dime is one of the standout issues. This has proven to be one of the most consistently well-struck and lustrous issues in the Mercury Dime series, and examples are plentiful through the grade of MS-67 FB.
Five repunched mintmarks for the 1939 D Mercury dimes are depicted in “The Authoritative Reference on Mercury Dimes” by John Wexler and Kevin Flynn, though most are fairly small.
The NGC Price Guide estimates that a circulated 1939 Mercury dime is worth between $2.50 and $7.50. However, if you sell your 1939 D Mercury dimes on the open market, you can fetch up to $450, especially if they are in pristine, uncirculated condition!
1939 S Mercury Dime
Year of minting: 1939
Mint Mark: S
Place of minting: San Francisco
Quantity produced: 10,540,000
Face Value: $0.10 (10 cents)
Price: $2.20 to $14.00 (circulated condition)
Mass: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
While not particularly uncommon, 1939-S is necessary to finish the “long, short set” of 1934–1945 Mercury Dimes. Compared to other issues from the time period, fewer Mint State specimens appear to have survived. Additionally, a small percentage of individuals viewed have full bands.
On the bright side, 1939 S Mercury dimes are occasionally discovered proof-like to varied degrees, just like most S-Mint dimes from the late 1930s through 1945.
According to the NGC Price Guide on their website, a 1939 Mercury dime’s value is estimated between $2.50 and $17 (January 2023). However, in pristine and uncirculated condition, you could sell this coin for as much as $800 on the open market.
1939 P Mercury Dime
Year of minting: 1939
Mint Mark: No mint mark
Place of minting: Philadelphia
Quantity produced: 67,740,000
Face Value: $0.10 (10 cents)
Price: $2.20 to $5.43 (circulated condition)
Mass: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
There are plenty of 1939 Mercury dimes on all grades up to MS-67. Unfortunately, Full Bands are frustratingly hard to come by. Since most coins are otherwise well-struck, it is clear that the collar preparation of the die set contained a flaw that prevented metal from filling the die cavity on the majority of coins.
Although the doubled-die obverse variants on this date are plentiful, none are popular enough to garner considerable attention.
A report from the NGC website states that a 1939 Mercury dime’s worth is valued between $2.50 and $7.50 if it is in circulated condition. But if you sell an uncirculated issue in pristine condition on the open market, you could get paid $1250!
1939 Proof Mercury Dime
Year of minting: 1939
Mint Mark: no mint mark
Place of minting: Philadelphia
Quantity produced: 9,321
Face Value: $0.10 (10 cents)
Price: $196 (circulated condition)
Mass: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
Only a couple thousand pieces are believed to have survived out of the 9,321 proof Mercury dimes produced in the Philadelphia mint in 1939.
As such, it is no surprise that their price ranges from $150 to $500, depending on the level of perfection. Only a few dimes are of PR 68 grade, and purchasing one can cost up to $1,600.
List Of 1939 Mercury Dime Errors
Doubled Die (Obverse) Error
When the die strikes the coin’s design twice or even three times, but at a slightly different angle each time, this is known as doubling. The few 1939 doubled die dime errors that do exist rarely have a significant impression, yet, even these are still valuable to collect.
On the obverse of the 1939 dime, the doubling is most noticeable between the words LIBERTY, the mint year, and the slogan IN GOD WE TRUST. A coin with a doubled die mistake can sell for $40 to $50.
Image Source: PCGS
Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)
A doubled, absent, or misplaced mintmark is generally a repunched mintmark. The 1939 dimes struck in Denver, and San Francisco contains several repunched mintmark faults.
Most of these instances are double-struck mints, and a few have a slightly off-center mintmark. The price of the 1939 repunched mint mark dime faults ranges from $20 to $25, it could go higher depending on how much of the mint mark has been doubled or misaligned.
How Much Is The 1939 Mercury Dime Worth Today?
According to the USA Coin Book, the 1939 D Mercury dime is estimated at $2.77 in Average Condition and can be worth up to $32 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.
The USA Coin Book also estimated the 1939 S Mercury dime to be valued at $2.77 in average condition. It can cost up to $48 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
However, the 1939 Mercury dime from the Philadelphia mint has an estimated value of $2.77 in Average Condition and can be worth up to $28 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof coins from the same mint have a value of up to $455.
Take a look at this table of auction records for each variety to have a better idea of how much the 1939 Mercury dime can be:
| Coin | Condition | Grade | Sold date | Sold by | Value |
| 1939 D Mercury Dime | Superb Gem Uncirculated – Full Band | MS 69 | August 26, 2019 | Legend Rare Coin Auctions | $42,300 |
| 1939 Proof Mercury Dime | Gem Uncirculated – Proof | PR 68+ | December 8, 2022 | Heritage Auctions | $21,600 |
| 1939 P Mercury Dime | Superb Gem Uncirculated | MS 68 | August 6, 2000 | Heritage Auctions | $12,650 |
| 1939 S Mercury Dime | Superb Gem Uncirculated | MS 68 | October 1, 2000 | Heritage Auctions | $10,350 |
How Does The Grading System Work?
Coin appraisers usually use tools such as a magnifying glass or even a coin microscope to determine the condition and value of a coin. They check the coin’s luster, strike, color, preservation, attractiveness, and other characteristics to assess how much a coin would be.
If you want the help of professional coin grading service providers, you can tap on organizations such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). They can give your coin an official grade. In doing so, your coin’s value may rise significantly.
Image Source: Austin Rare Coins
Apart from using tools, these professionals also employ the Sheldon Scale, a 70-point grading system that assesses a coin’s grade. Using this scale, you can easily categorize your coin as PR (Proof) or MS (Mint State).
MS means that your coin acquired a grade of 60 to 70 on the scale. This implies that you need a microscope to see your coin’s flaws and imperfections.
Where To Buy Or Sell 1939 Mercury Dime?
Even though it is more difficult, you might be able to find a 1939 Mercury dime in a coin or antique shop. But because of technology, searching online for locations where you can easily buy these coins is now possible.
To look for 1939 Mercury dimes, check out online marketplaces and auction sites like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or Craigslist. You might even be fortunate and come across a vendor with a rare one!
You can also seek guidance from experts in coin grading services like the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) if you want to be certain of your purchases. These organizations can provide information on how to purchase or sell your 1939 Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) dimes.
FAQs
Where is the mint mark on the 1939 Mercury dime?
You can find the coin’s mint mark below the olive branch on the coin’s reverse side. The coins produced at the Philadelphia mint do not bear any mint mark.
Is a 1939 Mercury dime worth anything?
The USA Coin Book estimated the 1939 S Mercury dime to be valued at $2.77 in average condition. It can cost up to $48 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. According to the NGC Price Guide, a 1939 S Mercury dime in pristine and uncirculated condition can be sold for as much as $800 on the open market.
