#Mercury dime full#

Its popularity is an element that makes the dime so valuable, along with the intrigue that sits behind the designer and the identity of the model. For these reasons and more, the Mercury Dime holds tremendous value and is sought after by collectors and numismatic enthusiasts. With the onset of the Great Depression, the Mercury Dime saw another drastic dip in production in 19, while minting stopped entirely in 19.

#Mercury dime full#

Beginning in 1916 until 1930, the Mercury Dime was struck in substantial numbers, except when an economic downturn greatly diminished production, including a full stoppage in 1922. Throughout its 29 years of production, it experienced a wide range of production numbers varying from year to year. The value of the Mercury Dime is tremendous. At the time, Woolley believed a coin design must be replaced after 25 years in circulation, when in fact, the design could be changed but it was not required. Mint Director Albert Woolley met with the Commission of Fine Arts to view sketches for a new design. A misinterpretation of coinage laws set the stage for the Weinman design to replace the Barber coins. The Mercury Dime replaced the Charles Barber design.

The dime carries political and social intrigue.

Previous to that modification, no changes were done to any coins of any denomination. Upon completion of the modifications, the Mercury Dime was left alone for the duration of its time in circulation. Mint restructured the dime because it did not fit into many manufacturer vending machines.

Early dimes could not fit into standard vending machinesĪfter the original inception of the dime, the U.S.

To this day, no one knows who “Liberty” is. Though that was only speculation, Weinman claimed to have modeled the Mercury Dime after a lawyer-friend’s wife. They rented an apartment from Weinman in the early 1900s and became close friends. Rampant speculation was that it was sculpted after Wallace Stevens’ wife, Elsie. No one ever came forward as being whom the coin is modeled after. The Mercury Dime model was never mentioned by Adolph Weinman, the designer of the coin. The dime was beautifully crafted, but there were instances throughout its history when the dime and its creator both experienced criticism. Between 19, the Mercury Dime was one of the most popular circulating designs. Though popular, the Mercury Dime was not met without controversy.

Phrygian caps are sometimes referred to as Liberty caps, representing freedom and liberty. Though not its original intent, the name Mercury Dime was thus used during its time in circulation. Upon inception of the coin, many in the public believed the cap to look to the Roman god, Mercury. The Mercury Dime gets its name from confusion over the look of the Phrygian cap atop Liberty. The reverse features a fasces and olive branch.

Caps of this nature were worn by many people in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and more appropriately, Phrygia. The obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, a conical cap often worn pulled forward. More than you’re your typical dime, there are unique identifiers of the Mercury Dime. A Mercury Dime is a ten-cent coin produced by the U.S.