1936 Mercury Dime Value Guide

The 1936 Mercury Dime is a quintessential piece of American numismatic history, prized for its 90% silver content and the elegant 'Winged Liberty Head' design by Adolph A. Weinman. While often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury, this coin represents a peak in U.S. coinage aesthetics during the transition from the Barber era to the modern Roosevelt dime.

What Is 1936 Mercury Dime Worth?

The typical price range for 1936 Mercury Dime is $5 - $10 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of 'Full Bands' (FB) on the reverse fasces significantly increases the value for high-grade specimens.
• Overall strike quality and the level of wear on Liberty's hair and the wing feathers determine the grade and price point.
• The current market spot price of silver provides a baseline 'melt value' for coins in lower, circulated conditions.
• Surface preservation, including the absence of scratches, cleaning marks, or heavy oxidation, dictates the $5 to $10+ valuation.

How to Identify 1936 Mercury Dime?

• Verify the 90% silver and 10% copper composition, which gives the coin its distinct metallic ring and luster.
• Look for the designer's initials 'AW' located on the obverse, tucked behind the neck of Lady Liberty.
• Check the reverse for the fasces and olive branch motif, ensuring the 'Winged Liberty' head is on the obverse.
• Examine the mint mark (if any) located on the reverse, near the bottom left of the rim, though many 1936 coins were minted in Philadelphia and bear no mark.

History of 1936 Mercury Dime

The Mercury Dime, designed by Adolph A. Weinman, was minted from 1916 to 1945. It features a depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, which was mistakenly believed to be the Roman god Mercury by the public, hence its enduring nickname. This coin replaced the Barber Dime and was itself replaced by the Roosevelt Dime in 1946. Its elegant design and 90% silver composition make it a popular collectible.