Certified Mercury Dime 1916-D Scratched-Det VF PCGS

The 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the most iconic and sought-after key dates in United States numismatics, struck at the Denver Mint during the inaugural year of the Mercury Dime series. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the obverse features a left-facing Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury. The reverse showcases a fasces, representing unity and strength, paired with an olive branch to signify peace. The inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the denomination “ONE DIME.”

This example is certified PCGS Genuine with a VF Detail grade due to a noted scratch, indicating moderate circulation wear while still retaining clear design elements and strong overall detail. Despite the surface issue, the 1916-D remains highly desirable due to its extremely low mintage of just 264,000 pieces, making it the key date of the entire Mercury Dime series. Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the coin measures 17.9 mm in diameter with a thickness of approximately 1.35 mm and carries a denomination of ten cents. Even in a details holder, this coin represents a significant opportunity to own a historically important and scarce early 20th-century U.S. silver issue.