The 1941 Mercury dime was minted in the first war year after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Although these coins’ design was beautiful, the US Mint modified them because vending machine manufacturers had problems adjusting them to these devices. Most experts believe that the poet and lawyer Wallace Stevens’ wife, Elsie Stevens, was a model for this coin obverse.Ī fasces on the reverse symbolized American unity and the new nation’s strength, but it was intertwined with an olive branch, an international symbol of peace. They named the new coin the Mercury dime because someone noticed the similarity between the Liberty’s face and Mercury, the Roman god.Īdolph Weinman created the young Liberty with a lovely winged Phrygian cap on her head. This minting discontinuity resulted from the Great Depression.Įven though this coin’s official name is Winged Liberty Head, it never caught on among Americans. The US Mint continued with their production until 1945, with two pauses, in 19. Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dime came into circulation in 1916, when the Barber dimes went into history. *by USA Coin Book History of the 1941 Mercury Dime Even though most older pieces in top condition are scarce, the 1941 dime value is still pretty modest, thanks to their high mintage. Once you decide to start a collection, it is crucial to know that these silver coins were minted for almost 30 years, from 1916 to 1945. Many collectors consider the Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dime one of the most beautiful gems in the entire coinage. The US Mint has produced American coins for over 200 years, including some highly collectible pieces.

1942 overdate mercury dime