Semi-Numismatic

1917 Mercury Dime VF

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Dating back to 1917, this United States ten cent piece represents a classic era of American silver coinage. Struck with a purity of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of the precious metal. Now preserved in Very Fine condition, it displays the gentle softening of detail typical of a coin that circulated during a monumental period in global history, with some wear visible along its outer rim. The obverse features a youthful depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, a design element originally created by Adolph Weinman. This distinctive headgear often led observers to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god, giving the series its popular nickname. Surrounding the portrait are the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date "1917". On the reverse, the design presents a fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an axe, paired alongside an olive branch. These contrasting elements symbolize a readiness for defense balanced with a deep desire for peace. The legend reads "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" alongside "ONE DIME" and the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM", completing a beautifully balanced piece of early twentieth century numismatic art.