1940 Mercury Dime Value Guide

The 1940 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 freedom of thought and remains a staple for collectors building a complete silver set.

What Is 1940 Mercury Dime Worth?

The typical price range for 1940 Mercury Dime is $3 - $8 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 collector value.
• Overall mint state and preservation of the fine details on Liberty's wings and the olive branch.
• The current market spot price of silver, as the coin contains 0.07234 troy ounces of the precious metal.
• The specific mint location, with Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco issues showing varying levels of scarcity in high grades.

How to Identify 1940 Mercury Dime?

• Verify the 1940 date located on the bottom left of the obverse side.
• Look for the 'W' monogram on the obverse, which is the designer's mark for Adolph A. Weinman.
• Check for a mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) on the reverse, located to the left of the base of the fasces; no mark indicates Philadelphia.
• Confirm the composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing approximately 2.5 grams.

History of 1940 Mercury Dime

The Mercury Dime, officially the Winged Liberty Head Dime, was minted from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, it features a young Liberty with a winged Phrygian cap, mistakenly believed to be the Roman god Mercury. This coin is highly sought after by collectors for its beautiful design and its composition of 90% silver.