1946 Mercury Dime Value Guide

The 1946 Mercury Dime is a significant numismatic piece marking the final production year of the Winged Liberty Head series before the transition to the Roosevelt dime. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, this coin is highly collectible for its 90% silver content and the symbolic wings on Liberty's cap representing freedom of thought.

What Is 1946 Mercury Dime Worth?

The typical price range for 1946 Mercury Dime is $10 - $12 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 coin's market value.
• Overall strike quality and the amount of original mint luster remaining on the silver surfaces.
• The current spot price of silver, as these coins contain 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver.
• The specific mint of origin, with examples from Philadelphia, Denver (D), or San Francisco (S) showing varying scarcity.

How to Identify 1946 Mercury Dime?

• Verify the 90% silver and 10% copper composition which gives the coin its distinct metallic ring and luster.
• Look for the 'W' monogram on the obverse, which is the designer Adolph A. Weinman's mark, not a mint mark.
• Check the reverse for the fasces and olive branch design, ensuring the '1946' date is clearly struck on the obverse.
• Examine the mint mark location on the reverse, situated to the left of the base of the fasces.

History of 1946 Mercury Dime

Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the Winged Liberty Head dime is commonly referred to as the Mercury dime because of the resemblance to the Roman god. It was minted between 1916 and 1945, with this 1946 example representing the very end of the series' production cycle before the transition to the Roosevelt dime. The wings on Liberty's cap were intended to symbolize freedom of thought.