The Working Man's Rare Coins Mercury Dime History Page

Imagine a coin that celebrates freedom of thought on one side and the power of the government to beat you to death on the other.

We call it the "Mercury" dime because of the wings on Miss Liberty's cap. The wings really stand for freedom of thought. However, they are reminders of the winged cap of Mercury, the messenger of the gods. The reverse side of the coin shows a bundle of rods with an ax. This is called a fasces and was a symbol of authority in ancient Rome. If accused of a grave crime and found guilty, the prisoner would be beaten to death with the rods, unless granted the mercy of the ax.

The Mercury Dime was minted from 1916 to 1945 and it saw America through some rough times. During the Depression, it was the only new silver mintage for the year 1931. During WWII, the dime was produced in astronomical quantities totaling 1.5 billion. Back then 10 cents bought you a ride on a street car, and the day's newspaper to read along the way, and you might still have two cents left over for candy.

The Mercury Dime was designed by Adolph A. Weinman, who also created the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Both coins display a lighter line and a narrower proportion than the coins of the previous generation. The Mercury Dime replaced the 10 cent piece designed by Samuel Barber with its full-faced, abundant-looking Roman lady. The head of Liberty on the so-called "Mercury" dime was more in touch with modern times and the new 20th century with its automobiles, airplanes and radios.