Semi-Numismatic

1926-S Mercury Dime AG

---

This ten-cent silver piece from 1926 represents a classic era of United States coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, the coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing approximately 0.0715 to 0.0723 troy ounces of precious metal. Even in an Almost Good state of preservation, where the details have softened from years of active circulation, the iconic artistry of the series remains recognizable. On the obverse, the design features a youthful profile of Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. This distinctive headwear, which historically symbolized freedom of thought, led the public to mistake her for the Roman messenger god, giving the coin its famous Mercury nickname. The year 1926 is struck below her portrait, alongside the national motto of trust. The reverse side displays a traditional fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an ax, which is closely paired with an olive branch. These symbols represent strength and the desire for peace. This combination of powerful imagery and historical wear makes each surviving specimen a fascinating object of study.