1942-S Mercury Dime MS-66 PCGS (FB)

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In 1942, the San Francisco Mint struck over 49 million ten-cent pieces featuring one of the most celebrated designs in American numismatics. Known popularly as the Mercury Dime, this silver coin actually depicts a youthful personification of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap on its obverse. Designed by Adolph Weinman, the imagery was intended to symbolize freedom of thought, though the wings on her cap frequently led the public to mistake her for the Roman messenger god, Mercury. This specific mid-century issue is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.0715 troy ounces of the precious metal. The reverse side presents a contrasting theme of strength and peace, displaying a traditional Roman fasces bound with an olive branch. Preserved in exceptional condition, this coin has been graded Mint State 66 (MS-66). It features the distinct 'S' mint mark, indicating its origin from the West Coast minting facility during a pivotal year in global history.