The Mercury dime, also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was a ten-cent coin minted by the United States Mint from late 1916 to 1945. It's a popular collector's item known for its beautiful design. Here's a closer look:

Design:

• Obverse (front): Featured a profile portrait of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom during the Roman Republic. The design was created by Adolph Weinman and some believe the model was Elsie Stevens, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens.
• Reverse (back): Displayed a fasces (a bundle of rods bound together with an axe blade protruding) symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch signifying peace.

History (1916-1945):

• Introduced to replace the Barber dime (1892-1916).
• Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
• Minted at various U.S. Mints, with mintmarks indicating location (e. Mercury dimes minted in Philadelphia have no mintmark).

Popularity Among Collectors:

• Mercury dimes are popular among collectors due to their:
  • Beautiful and intricate design
  • Silver content (for earlier issues)
  • Variations in mint locations and year of issue
  • Some relatively rare dates and mintmarks

Value:

The value of a Mercury dime depends on several factors:

• Condition: A well-preserved coin (higher grade) will be worth more than a worn one.
• Year of Issue and Mintmark: Certain years and mintmarks, particularly those with lower mintage numbers, can be significantly more valuable. For instance, the 1916-D Mercury dime is particularly sought after by collectors.
• Silver Content: Earlier circulated Mercury dimes (before 1965) have a higher silver content (90%) and can be worth more based on the current silver price.

Here's a general range for common circulated Mercury dimes:

• $2 to $10 (depending on year and condition)

Uncirculated specimens, especially from the earlier years or with rare varieties, can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.