2016 Centennial Gold Mercury Dime
Base
About This Coin
The 2016 Centennial Gold Mercury Dime is a United States cent from the Centennial Series 2016 series. 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, while 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. Designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman. Struck in 99.99% gold, weighing 3.11 grams, 16.5 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Adolph Weinman's Winged Liberty Head Dime, universally known as the "Mercury" Dime despite depicting Liberty rather than the Roman god Mercury, debuted in 1916 alongside his Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The fasces reverse symbolized military strength tempered by the olive branch of peace — imagery that later took on different connotations during WWII but remained on the coin. The 1916-D (mintage 264,000) is the key date and one of the most coveted 20th-century U.S. coins. Full Bands (FB) designation specimens command significant premiums. The 1942/1 and 1942/1-D overdates are famous varieties.