Numismatic

1923-S Mercury Dime XF

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Struck in 1923 at the San Francisco Mint, this ten-cent piece is a beautiful representation of early twentieth-century American coinage. Composed of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a time of artistic transition in United States currency, carrying a design that captured the public imagination and earned an enduring nickname. The obverse features a youthful depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. Although intended to represent freedom of thought, the headgear closely resembled the winged hat of Mercury, the ancient Roman messenger god, leading the public to widely refer to the series as the Mercury Dime. Legible on the obverse is the classic American motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, positioned alongside the 1923 date. On the reverse, the design showcases a fasces, a traditional symbol of authority, intertwined with an olive branch to signify peace. This side of the coin bears the inscription of the issuing nation, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the denomination, ONE DIME. With a total mintage of 6,440,000, this particular issue from the San Francisco facility is a compelling piece of numismatic history, displaying the detailed artistry of designer Adolph Weinman in an Extra Fine state of preservation.