Numismatic

1931-D Mercury Dime XF

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Struck in 1931 at the Denver Mint, this ten-cent piece is a remarkable example of early twentieth-century American coinage. Composed of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a key moment in the beloved Mercury Dime series, displaying the distinct artistic direction of the era. The obverse of the coin presents a youthful depiction of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, a design element that historically led the public to mistake her for the Roman messenger god, Mercury. Surrounding this central portrait are the legible inscriptions of liberty and the classic motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST," alongside the 1931 date. On the reverse, the design shifts to a powerful combination of symbols. A traditional fasces, representing strength and unity, is paired with a delicate olive branch, symbolizing peace. The Denver mint mark, indicated by a "D," is visible alongside the inscriptions "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "ONE DIME."