Numismatic

1916-S Mercury Dime MS-64 PCGS (FB)

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In 1916, the United States Mint introduced a fresh design for its ten-cent piece, a coin that would become widely celebrated for its artistic merit. This particular silver dime, minted at the San Francisco facility, showcases the inaugural year of the iconic series. It stands out not only for its high-grade preservation but also for the distinct sharpness of its details. On the obverse, the design features Liberty wearing a winged cap, which led to the popular, though technically inaccurate, nickname of the Mercury Dime. The inscription IN GOD WE TRUST appears alongside the 1916 date. The reverse displays a fasces entwined with an olive branch, symbolizing strength and peace, accompanied by the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DIME, and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The small S mint mark indicates its origin in California. This specimen is certified in Mint State 64 with Full Bands (FB). The Full Bands designation is highly sought after by enthusiasts, as it confirms that the horizontal central bands wrapping the fasces on the reverse are completely split and clearly defined. Achieving such a crisp strike was difficult during production, making this well-defined survivor a fascinating piece of early twentieth-century American coinage.