Numismatic

1917-S Mercury Dime BU

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The 1917 Mercury Dime stands as a remarkable example of early twentieth century American coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this ten cent piece is composed of 90 percent silver, containing approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of the precious metal. Kept in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, the coin retains its original luster, allowing the intricate details of its legendary artwork to shine just as they did over a century ago. On the obverse, the design features a youthful personification of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. This distinctive headwear often led the public to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god, Mercury, giving the series its popular nickname. Surrounding the portrait are the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date "1917". The reverse of the coin presents a powerful combination of symbols, displaying a traditional fasces alongside an olive branch. This side also bears the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "ONE DIME", and "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Collectors can identify the San Francisco origin of this specific issue by locating the small "S" mint mark positioned on the reverse.