After a 25-year run, the Barber dime was replaced in 1916 by a coin known variously as the Winged Liberty Head, Winged Cap, or Mercury dime. The coin was designed by sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman, with engraving help from George Morgan, the designer of the 1878 Morgan silver dollar.

The dime’s design was the result of an open competition, with much better results than a similar contest attempted in 1892. Weinman actually won two commissions from the U.S. Treasury, one for the dime and another for the Liberty Walking half dollar.

The obverse of Weinman’s dime depicts the head and neck of Lady Liberty, who Weinman modeled after Elsie Stevens, the wife of poet Wallace Stevens. Her winged cap, which resemble...

While the coin’s obverse is routinely misidentified, its reverse probably strikes casual contemporary viewers as unremarkable. At a glance, one sees what appears to be a Roman column backed by olive branches. Upon closer inspection, though, the column turns out to be a bundle of sticks, and there’s an ax blade projecting out from the bundle and facing left. Known as a fasces, this ancient Roman symbol of power was a thinly veiled message to the nation’s enemies in Europe that they could have peace (the olive branches) or a fight (the fasces), but the U.S. was prepared for both.

Mercury dimes, as they are still inaccurately called, were minted through 1945 with only a few interruptions—none were struck in 1922 or 1932. The most desirable dimes are ones whose fasces bands (the three horizontal pairs of straps holding the sticks together) are clearly defined. Denver dimes from 1916 had the lowest mintage, so those dimes tend to cost far more than ones from any other year.

Another sought-after dime is the 2-over-1 overdate from 1942—both the Philadelphia and Denver mints made this error, but the Philly goof is especially pronounced. And if someone offers you a 1923 or 1930 dime minted in Denver? It’s a fake.

After the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, Weinman’s dime was replaced by a new one designed by mint engraver John R. Sinnock. Roosevelt dimes remain in circulation to this day.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

U.S. Pattern Coins Tell the Stories Behind Our Currency

I started collecting coins when I was five years old, and I started dealing when I was 13 or 14. Most kids start with coins of cir… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Legendary Coins and Currency

Legendary Coins and Currency

This online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a great way to get an overview… [read review or visit site]

Society of U.S. Pattern Collectors

Society of U.S. Pattern Collectors

Home to the Society of U.S. Pattern collectors, this well-organized site provides in-depth information on pattern c… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: US Coins

Other Great Reference Sites: US Coins

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 428 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
1916-d 800 Coin Mercury Dime Mixed Dates 1916-1945 Four Pounds 64.30 Troy Oz SilverUs 1916-d Mercury Silver Dime Coin Ten Cent 10c Key Date Coin DenverGreat Estate Find!! 1916-d Nice Grade "key-date" Mercury Dime!!Complete 77 Coin Mercury Dime Collection Anacs Ag3 Details 1916 D, Ag3 21d G4 211916-d Mercury Silver Dime Id# N4701942/1 Mercury Dime Choice Xf++ ** Rare Key Date Sought After In All Grades!!!1942/1 Mercury Silver 10c Dime Pcgs Xf45 Secure Plus Looks Au Rare Key Error Nr1916 D Mercury Dime Pcgs Ogh No Cleaning Authentic Coin Series Key Date 1916d Pcgs Genuine Dime1942/1 D Mercury Dime 10 Cent 1942/1 Fs-010.8 Ngc Vg 101942/1 Mercury Dime - Nice Mid-grade Example 1924-d Mercury Dime Ms63 Fsb Anacs Slab4 Tubes Of (50 Ea) 200 - 90% Silver Mercury Dimes. Mixed Dates & Mints1942/1 Mercury Dime--rare Overdate Coin--nice F/vfUnited States Mercury Dimes 1916 Thru 1945 Micro S Set Of 78 Missing 1916-d 1916-d Anacs Ag-3 Mercury Dime Nice Detail(150) Silver Mercury Dime Roll Au Or Better Beautiful Au+ 1926-s Mercury Dime ... Strong Luster ( Bbjq ) 1942-s Silver Mercury Dime Roll Ch/gem Bu1942-p Silver Mercury Dime Roll Ch/gem Bu1944-p Silver Mercury Dime Roll Ch/gem Bu1943-p Silver Mercury Dime Roll Ch/gem Bu1941-p Silver Mercury Dime Roll Ch/gem BuLot Of 153 Mercury Head Dimes- 90% Silver - Mixed Years (1916 - 1945 S) Mercury Dime 1939 10c Pf 66 Ngc Certified$10 Face (100 Pcs) Mercury 90% Silver Dimes 7.234 Oz Pure Silver-free ShippingRoosevelt Dimes 1946 Thru 1964-d Complete Set 48 Coins All Bu's White1916-1945 Mercury Head Dimes Complete Set "circ" To "au+"1916 D Mercury Dime Low Grade ~ Affordable ~ No ReserveLot 33: 2 Rolls Us Mercury Winged Liberty Dimes 90% Silver $10 Face Scrap? Junk?Lot 30: 2 Rolls Us 90% Silver Mercury Winged Liberty Dimes 100 Coins $10 FaceHuge Lot 94 Mercury Silver Dimes 1940 Treasure No Reserve1916-d Mercury Silver Dime ~ Good / About Good ~ Key Date ~ 90% SilverSet Of 70 Misc All Silver Mercury Dimes Coins Varying Years, Mints, Conditions1942 Proof Mercury Dime Pf67 Ngc High Grade Wwii Era (gps Partial Collection Of Mercury Dimes Whitman 1916-1945 (72 Coins)1940 Pcgs Ms67fb Silver Mercury DimePretty 1917-s Mercury Dime ~ Ngc Ms 64 ~ Choice Brilliant Uncirculated1939 D Mercury Dime ( Ngc Graded ) High End Well Struck In Stunning Ms 67 Fb1944 Mercury Dime 50-coin Roll ~ Lustrous Au-unc ~ Nice CoinsMercury Head Dime Roll - Mixed Dates And Mint Marks- 23 Guaranteed Dates Listed1941-d Pcgs Ms67fb Silver Mercury Dime1916-d Mercury Dime, Pcgs Ag-3 CleanedA Superior Assortment Roll(50) Mercury Dimes .xxf- Au/buRoll Of Mercury Dimes (50) Coins U.s.90% Silver Mixed Dates And Mint MarksLot Of 63 Silver Mercury Head Dimes + Collection Book (1916- 1945) One Superior Assortment- Roll Mercury Dimes .xxf- Au/bu1941 Mercury Dime Pcgs Pr67 *hucky*This Is A Full Roll Of 50 Silver Mercury Dimes G To Au Roll Of Mercury Dimes (50) Coins U.s.90% Silver Mixed Dates And Mint MarksRoll Of Mercury Dimes (50) Coins U.s.90% Silver Mixed Dates And Mint MarksLot Of Mercury Dimes - Roll Of (50) 90% Silver DimesMixed Lot Of Mercury Dimes-90% Silver1921-d Mercury Silver Dime Vf++** Very Fine Key Date Low Mintage!1940 Proof Mercury Dime Pcgs Pr65 Former Ngc Crossed Blast White Mirrors Proof$5 Mercury Dimes - 90% Silver 50-coin Roll (average Circulated) Dates 1941&19421921 D Mercury Dime Vf+1921-d Mercury Dime--nice Original Fine90% Silver U.s. Mercury Dimes ( 50 - Or One Roll )