What is A Mercury Dime?

Mercury dimes were first minted in 1916. They continued their run until 1945.

Replacing the Barber dime, it was part of a movement by the government and the U.S. Mint to beautify American coinage.

DESIGN OF THE MERCURY DIME

The design for the coin did not alter during its run. However, there were several sizes of mintmarks used by the San Francisco Mint. They are noticeably different by comparing them. 

In 1928, the San Francisco Mint used a normal size S mintmark and a Large S mintmark, displayed here.

In 1941, the San Francisco Mint used both a Large S mintmark and a smaller than usual “Small S” mintmark. The regular size S mintmark was not used. Of the two, the 1941-S Large S is the less common variety.

Then, in 1945, we have an even smaller S mintmark, referred to as “Micro S”. 

The Mercury dime, properly known as the Winged Head Liberty dime, was designed by the artist Adolph A. Weinman. He also created the winning design for the Walking Liberty half dollar. On these coins, his initials AW are depicted.

Also, Weinman’s statues grace national parks around the country.

Weinman was friends with famous poet Wallace Stevens and his wife Elsie. As a gift, he made a bust of Elsie and gave it to them.

She was the model for the both the Winged Liberty dime and the Walking Liberty half dollar. 

The face of the Mercury dime shows Lady Liberty wearing her freedom cap, with wings on the sides.

Per Weinman, the wings were meant to symbolize freedom of thought. When we consider the history of the time, women (known as Suffragettes) were very active campaigning for equal rights. Specifically during this time, they were campaigning for the right to vote.

It was not until 1919 that women were allowed to vote. 

How did the coin become known as the Mercury dime? Mercury was a Roman god. Although Mercury did not wear a freedom cap (which is the hat of a freed slave), he did have wings on his hat.

Also, consider the presence of the image of Mercury in such heavily populated places as New York City.

If you’ve studied your Roman history, Mercury was messenger of the gods AND he was the god of commerce. Per the Ancient History Encyclopedia, “Merchants would pray to him for high profits and protection of their trade goods.” Those knowing this would be apt to consider the image on the dime was that of Mercury. 

And so, the Winged Liberty Head dime became known as the Mercury dime. 

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