US · Ten Cents · 1916–1945
Winged Liberty (Mercury) Dime (1916–1945)
Properly the Winged Liberty Head; the wings on Liberty's cap were mistaken for the messenger god Mercury. Considered one of the most beautiful US coins. Full Bands designation (FB) on the reverse fasces is the premium attribute.
i.
Reference photos
Obverse
Photo: Zest removing backgrounds;BrandonBigheart for the photograph; Adolph Weinman for the coin design. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1943D_Mercury_Dime_obverse_keyer_effects.png (public-domain) 
Photo: BrandonBigheart for the photograph; Adolph Weinman for the coin design. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1943D_Mercury_Dime_obverse-cutout.png (public-domain) 
Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dime_Savings_86st_19av_jeh.JPG (public-domain) 
Photo: Daniel1901100 / Wikimedia Commons (cc-by-sa-3.0) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obverse_of_a_mercury_dime.jpg (cc-by-sa-3.0) 
Photo: Bobby131313 / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1942-Mercury-Dime-Obverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: Bobby131313 at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercury_dime.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: Photographer not known / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercury_dime_pattern.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons (cc-by-sa-4.0) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dime_Savings_Bank_Brooklyn_dime.jpg (cc-by-sa-4.0) 
Photo: The original uploader was Bobby131313 at English Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercury_dime_obverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: BrandonBigheart for the photograph; Adolph Weinman for the coin design. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1943D_Mercury_Dime_obverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: Daniel1901100 / Wikimedia Commons (cc-by-sa-4.0) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1940_s_Mercury_Dime.jpg (cc-by-sa-4.0) 
Photo: NoFight / Wikimedia Commons (cc-by-sa-3.0) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1918_US_Coin.jpg (cc-by-sa-3.0) 
Photo: Daniel1901100 / Wikimedia Commons (cc-by-sa-4.0) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercury_Dime_Stock_Photo.jpg (cc-by-sa-4.0)
Reverse
Photo: BrandonBigheart for the photograph; Adolph Weinman for the coin design. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1943D_Mercury_Dime_reverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: Bobby131313 / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1942-Mercury-Dime-Reverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: en:User:Bobby131313 / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercury_dime_reverse.jpg (public-domain) 
Photo: BrandonBigheart for the photograph; Adolph Weinman for the coin design. / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1943D_Mercury_Dime_reverse-cutout.png (public-domain)
ii.
Specifications
| Designer | Adolph A. Weinman |
|---|---|
| Composition | 90% silver / 10% copper |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 17.91 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Series | Mercury Dime |
| Years issued | 1916–1945 |
iii.
Key dates & varieties
| Year | Mintmark | Variety | Mintage | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | D | — | 264K | key |
| 1921 | D | — | 1.1M | semi-key |
| 1921 | P | — | 1.2M | semi-key |
| 1942 | D | Overdate 1942/1-D | — | key |
| 1942 | P | Overdate 1942/1 | — | key |