These wings were quickly associated with the Roman god Mercury, however, and the coin became known as the Mercury Dime.
The back of this dime piece features a fasces, another design that was taken from the Ancient Roman world.
A fasces is a battle ax surrounded by a bundle of sticks which symbolizes strength and unity.
The combination of the fasces and the olive branch, also seen on the reverse of the Winged Liberty Head Dime, was intended to symbolize that America had a strong desire for peace, but was ready for war if the need arose.
(click image for larger view) Winged Liberty Head Dime a.k.a. Mercury Dime
Type
Winged Liberty Head or Mercury Dime
Designer
Adolph A. Weinman
Years Minted
1916-1945
Weight
2.50 grams
Composition
90% silver, 10% copper
(net weight: .07234 oz. pure silver)
Diameter
17.9 mm
Edge
reeded
Mints
Philadelphia - no mint mark
Denver - D
San Francisco - S
Mintage
Philadelphia
Denver- D
San Francisco- S
1916
22,180,080
D - 264,000
S - 10,450,000
1917
55,230,000
D - 9,402,000
S - 27,330,000
1918
26,680,000
D - 22,674,800
S - 19,300,000
1919
35,740,000
D - 9,939,000
S - 8,850,000
1920
59,030,000
D - 19,171,000
S - 13,820,000
1921
1,230,000
D - 1,080,000
S - 0
1923
50,130,000
D - 0
S - 6,440,000
1924
24,010,000
D - 6,810,000
S - 7,120,000
1925
25,610,000
D - 5,117,000
S - 5,850,000
1926
32,160,000
D - 6,828,000
S - 1,520,000
1927
28,080,000
D - 4,812,000
S - 4,770,000
1928
19,480,000
D - 4,161,000
S - 7,400,000
1929
25,970,000
D - 5,034,000
S - 4,730,000
1930
6,770,000
D - 0
S - 1,843,000
1931
3,150,000
D - 1,260,000
S - 1,800,000
1934
24,080,000
D - 6,771,000
S - 0
1935
58,830,000
D - 10,477,000
S - 15,840,000
1936
87,500,000
D - 16,132,000
S - 9,210,000
1937
56,860,000
D - 14,146,000
S - 9,740,000
1938
22,190,000
D - 5,537,000
S - 8,090,000
1939
67,740,000
D - 24,394,000
S - 10,540,000
1940
65,350,000
D - 21,198,000
S - 21,560,000
1941
175,090,000
D - 45,634,000
S - 43,090,000
1942
205,410,000
D - 60,740,000
S - 49,300,000
1943
191,710,000
D - 71,949,000
S - 60,400,000
1944
231,410,000
D - 62,224,000
S - 49,490,000
1945
159,130,000
D - 40,245,000
S - 41,920,000
Mercury Dime - Rare Coins and Errors to Watch For
Keydates - 1916-D with a mintage of only 264,000 Beware of 1916 dimes that have had the "D" mintmark added by unscrupulous sellers looking to make a quick buck.
Full Split Bands - if the two horizontal bands that tie together the bundle on the fasces show a clear separation between the two bands, these coins have a higher value.
No Separation on Bands
Full Split Bands
For some great deals on U.S. Mercury Dimes visit my friends at Jake's Marketplace, Inc. They have a very comprehensive selection to choose from and give great discounts!
