Numismatic

1942 Mercury Dime MS-67 NGC

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In 1942, the United States Mint in Philadelphia struck a ten-cent piece that stands as a classic of American coinage. This particular specimen has survived the decades in an extraordinary state of preservation, graded Mint State 67 (MS-67). Composed of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. The visual artistry of this dime is the work of Adolph A. Weinman. On the obverse, Weinman depicted the figure of Liberty wearing a winged cap, a detail that led the public to nickname the series the Mercury Dime due to her resemblance to the Roman messenger god. The year 1942 is clearly visible at the bottom of the profile. Turning the coin over reveals a reverse design featuring a fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an axe, which is enveloped by a leafy olive branch. Because this issue was minted at the Philadelphia facility, it features no mint mark, leaving the space clean and highlighting the intricate details of the central design.