12 facts about 1940 Mercury Dime
Design Misconception: Despite its common nickname, the Mercury Dime does not actually depict the Roman god Mercury. It features a profile of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap.
Designer: The coin's designer, Adolph A. Weinman, created both the obverse and reverse designs. His initials "AW" can be found at the base of the neck on the obverse.
Obverse Design: The obverse of the 1940 Mercury Dime features a striking image of Liberty with her distinctive cap, symbolizing freedom of thought.
Reverse Design: The reverse showcases a fasces (a bundle of rods and an axe), symbolizing strength and unity, and an olive branch, representing peace.
Composition: The 1940 Mercury Dime is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it its classic silver appearance.
Mint Marks: Look for a small letter on the reverse, near the bottom. "D" represents the Denver Mint, "S" indicates the San Francisco Mint, and no mint mark indicates the Philadelphia Mint.
Variety: The 1940 Mercury Dime comes in two major varieties: the "Winged Dime" variety with a large "D" mint mark and the standard variety with a smaller "D" mint mark.
Great Depression Era: The 1940s were marked by the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, adding historical significance to these dimes.
Collectors' Favorite: Mercury Dimes are highly sought after by collectors for their elegant design and historical value.
Numismatic Value: Well-preserved 1940 Mercury Dimes can have value to collectors, especially those in higher grades.
Numismatic Varieties: Numismatists enjoy searching for varieties and errors in Mercury Dimes, such as doubled dies and minting anomalies.
Numismatic Literature: Numerous books and resources are dedicated to the study and collection of Mercury Dimes, providing valuable insights for collectors.