Semi-Numismatic

1945-S Mercury Dime MS-65 PCGS

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Struck during the final year of World War II, this ten-cent piece from the San Francisco Mint represents a classic era of American coinage. Minted in 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.0723 troy ounces of precious metal. It has survived the decades in remarkable condition, certified as a Brilliant Uncirculated specimen graded Mint State 65. The obverse features a youthful depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, a design created by Adolph Weinman. This distinctive headgear, which historically symbolized freedom of thought, led the public to mistake the figure for the Roman messenger god Mercury, giving the series its popular nickname. The legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date "1945" are positioned alongside the portrait. On the reverse, the design presents a fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an ax, which is closely intertwined with an olive branch. This imagery represents both strength and peace. The inscriptions on this side include the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the denomination "ONE DIME". The small "S" mint mark indicates its origin from the West Coast minting facility.