Semi-Numismatic

1936 Mercury Dime Good/VF

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In 1936, the United States Mint in Philadelphia struck a ten-cent piece that remains one of the most celebrated designs in American coinage. Struck in 90 percent silver, this coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. While officially a dime, its distinctive imagery earned it a lasting place in popular culture under a different name. The front of the coin features a youthful profile of Liberty wearing a traditional Phrygian cap adorned with wings. This specific detail led many to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god, Mercury, giving the series its famous nickname. The legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" is visible on the left side, with the date 1936 positioned at the bottom. On the reverse, the design presents a powerful contrast of symbols. A bundle of rods bound around an ax, known as a fasces, represents strength and unity, while an olive branch wrapped around it signals a desire for peace. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DIME" frame the central design, accompanied by the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Because these coins circulated widely in daily commerce, the outer rims often display characteristic signs of wear, reflecting their active role in the pre-war American economy.