Numismatic

1918-D Mercury Dime XF

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In 1918, the Denver Mint produced a silver ten-cent piece that remains a captivating example of early twentieth-century American coinage. This classic coin, containing 0.0715 troy ounces of 90 percent pure silver, is widely known as the Mercury Dime. Its distinctive imagery and detailed craftsmanship continue to spark the curiosity of those exploring the history of United States currency. The obverse side of the coin displays a youthful depiction of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with wings. This specific head covering often led observers to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god, Mercury, giving the series its popular nickname. Alongside this profile, the traditional phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" is visible, accompanied by the 1918 year of issue. On the reverse, the design presents a fasces, which is a bundle of rods bound around an ax, positioned next to an olive branch. These contrasting elements represent readiness for defense alongside a desire for peace. The inscriptions on this side include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "ONE DIME", and the Latin motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM". A small "D" mint mark indicates its origin from the Denver facility, and this particular specimen survives in Extra Fine condition, preserving the crisp details of Adolph Weinman's original artistic vision.