Semi-Numismatic

1917-S Mercury Dime XF

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The 1917-S Mercury Dime represents a classic era of United States coinage, struck at the San Francisco Mint with a composition of 90 percent silver. This ten-cent piece, officially known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, is widely celebrated for its artistic merit and detailed imagery. It contains approximately 0.0715 to 0.0723 troy ounces of precious metal. Designed by Adolph Weinman, the obverse of the coin displays a youthful depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. This particular headgear often led observers to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god, Mercury, giving the series its popular nickname. The legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date "1917" are clearly visible on this face. The reverse side of the coin presents a powerful combination of symbols: an olive branch alongside a fasces, which is a bundle of rods bound around an ax. This side also bears the mint mark "S" indicating its origin in San Francisco, alongside the denomination "ONE DIME" and the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Exhibiting Extra Fine details, this specimen showcases the intricate elements of Weinman's original vision.