Numismatic

1926-S Mercury Dime Fine

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The 10 cent piece from 1926, struck at the San Francisco mint, is a classic example of United States coinage. Often referred to as the Mercury Dime, this coin actually portrays a youthful personification of Liberty on its obverse. She wears a winged Phrygian cap, which historically led many to mistake her for the Roman messenger god, Mercury. The words IN GOD WE TRUST and the date 1926 accompany her profile. Turning the coin over reveals a detailed reverse design featuring a fasces, an ancient symbol of authority consisting of a bundle of rods bound around an axe, paired with an olive branch. This combination represents strength and peace. The reverse inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and ONE DIME, alongside the S mint mark indicating its origin in San Francisco. This particular coin is preserved in Fine condition, showing honest wear from its time in circulation. Composed of 90 percent silver, it contains approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. The design was originally conceived by Adolph Weinman, whose work created one of the most recognized and admired coin series in American history.