1921 (D) Mercury Dime

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1921

Denomination

Dime

Mint Mark

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

Mercury Dimes 1916-1945

Designer

Adolph Alexander Weinman

Mintage

1,080,000

Composition

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Weight

2.5g

Diameter

17.9mm

Edge

Reeded

Value Estimates

$85 - $4,252

Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.

Auction Record

$23,500 MS67+ 02-25-2021 Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Description

The 1921 (D) Mercury Dime is a dime from the Denver Mint, belonging to the Mercury Dimes 1916-1945 series. With a mintage of 1.1 million, this is a scarce issue — the lower-mintage of the two mint variants. The obverse features young Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom of thought — often called the "Mercury" dime despite not depicting the Roman god and the reverse displays a Roman fasces — a bundle of rods with an axe — entwined with an olive branch, symbolizing strength through unity tempered by peace. Both the 1921 and 1921-D have low mintages, making them semi-key dates in the series. Denver's mint evolved from a frontier assay office into one of the nation's primary coin production facilities, opening in 1906. Estimated market value ranges from $85 to $4.3K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 2.5 grams, 17.9 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #4936.