Semi-Numismatic

1920 Mercury Dime Good/VF

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In 1920, the United States Mint produced a ten-cent piece that remains one of the most celebrated designs in American numismatic history. Commonly known as the Mercury Dime, this coin actually depicts a youthful personification of Liberty on its obverse. She wears a traditional Phrygian cap adorned with wings, a detail meant to symbolize freedom of thought. The obverse also bears the national motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST", alongside the 1920 date. The reverse of the coin presents a powerful combination of symbols, featuring a fasces wrapped with an olive branch to represent both strength and peace. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "ONE DIME", and the Latin phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM" encircle this central design. Struck in 90% fine silver, each coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. This particular issue is preserved in Good or better condition, meaning it has circulated through daily commerce, and observers may notice typical signs of wear along the outer rims. Designed by the sculptor Adolph Weinman, this coin is a fascinating artifact from the early decades of twentieth-century America.