Numismatic

1939-S Mercury Dime BU

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Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1939, this ten-cent silver piece is a brilliant example of early twentieth-century American coinage. Composed of 90 percent silver with a weight of approximately 0.0715 troy ounces, the coin is widely recognized by its popular nickname, the Mercury Dime. The obverse features a youthful representation of Liberty. She wears a traditional Phrygian cap adorned with wings, a detail intended to represent freedom of thought. This winged cap led to the common, though technically incorrect, association with the Roman messenger god, Mercury. The inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date 1939 are clearly visible on this side. On the reverse, the design presents a fasces, which is a bundle of rods bound around an axe, positioned alongside a leafy olive branch. These symbols represent strength, unity, and a desire for peace. The reverse also displays the "S" mint mark, indicating its origin from the San Francisco facility, along with the traditional motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the denomination "ONE DIME."