The Mercury Dime—also known as the Winged Liberty Head Dime—remains one of the most beloved coins among U.S. collectors. Introduced in 1916 as a replacement for the Barber Dime, it was praised for its elegant, artistic design and its high silver content, which adds to its intrinsic value.
Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the Mercury Dime features Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom of thought. This resemblance to the Roman god Mercury inspired the coin’s popular nickname.
The 1919 Mercury Dime is highly sought after, particularly in well-preserved grades and rare varieties such as Full Bands examples. With limited surviving quantities in high condition, certain mint marks and grades can reach extraordinary prices at auction.
Below is the current market value chart for the 1919 Dime, covering all three mints where it was produced: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D”), and San Francisco (“S”).
1919 Dime Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Extremely Fine (XF) | AU58 About Uncirculated | MS63 Select Uncirculated | MS66 Gem Uncirculated | MS67 Superb Gem Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) | $20 | $60 | $200 (FB: $275) | $1,050 (FB: $1,850) | $2,350 (FB: $11,500) |
| 1919 “D” (Denver) | $75 | $335 | $800 (FB: $3,500) | $4,750 (FB: $135,000) | $10,000 |
| 1919 “S” (San Francisco) | $75 | $375 | $1,150 (FB: $5,000) | $3,500 (FB: $135,000) | $4,750 (FB: $185,000) |
FB = Full Bands designation, indicating sharply defined horizontal lines on the reverse’s fasces, significantly increasing collector value.
History of the 1919 Barber Dime
By 1919, the Barber Dime had already been retired from production. Designed by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber and introduced in 1892, the coin featured Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath. It was a workhorse of American commerce for over two decades. The last Barber Dimes were struck in 1916, making any genuine 1919 Barber Dime non-existent. If a coin dated 1919 appears with the Barber design, it is either altered or counterfeit. By that year, the U.S. Mint had fully transitioned to the Mercury Dime series, which remained in circulation until 1945.
Features of the 1919 Mercury Dime
The 1919 Mercury Dime, officially known as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, was designed by Adolph A. Weinman, a celebrated sculptor and medalist whose work defined early 20th-century American coinage. First issued in 1916, the Mercury Dime replaced the Barber Dime series and remained in production until 1945.
Obverse of the 1919 Mercury Dime
The obverse depicts Lady Liberty facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap—symbolizing freedom of thought. The design earned the coin its popular nickname, the “Mercury Dime,” because the winged cap resembled depictions of the Roman god Mercury.
The inscriptions on the obverse include:
- LIBERTY around the upper rim
- IN GOD WE TRUST to the left of Liberty’s neck
- The date 1919 at the lower right
Weinman’s initial “AW” is subtly placed to the right of Liberty’s neck.
Reverse of the 1919 Mercury Dime
The reverse features a fasces—a bundle of rods bound together with a leather strap—symbolizing strength and unity, accompanied by an olive branch representing peace.
The inscriptions include:
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the upper rim
- E PLURIBUS UNUM to the right of the fasces
- ONE DIME at the bottom
The mint mark (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, or blank for Philadelphia) is located to the right of the “E” in “ONE.”
1919 Mercury Dime Specifications
- Face Value: $0.10 (ten cents)
- Shape: Round
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Type: Standard circulation coin
- Diameter: 17.91 mm (0.705 in)
- Weight: 2.50 g (0.08038 troy oz)
- Silver Weight: 2.25 g (0.07234 troy oz)
- Minting Technique: Milled
- Thickness: 1.35 mm (0.053 in)
- Edge: Reeded
The 1919 Mercury Dime is admired for its intricate artistry and symbolic imagery, combining classical design elements with strong national ideals. Its high silver content and historic appeal make it a sought-after piece for both collectors and investors.
1919 Dime Grading
In coin collecting, condition is one of the most important factors in determining value. Uncirculated examples—coins that have never been used in commerce—are always worth more than circulated pieces that show wear, loss of luster, or smoothing of details.
If you want to know whether your 1919 Mercury Dime is uncirculated, look for these telltale signs of a mint-state coin:
- Brilliant luster: A bright, original shine that reflects light evenly across the surface.
- Sharp high points: No flattening or smoothing on Liberty’s hair, cheek, or ear.
- Full Bands detail: The central bands tying the fasces on the reverse are fully separated and sharply defined.
- Crisp olive leaves: Rounded and intricately detailed leaves on the olive branch without wear.
1919 Mercury Dime Grading Scale
Mercury Dimes are graded on the Sheldon Scale from 1 to 70, with additional designations such as FB (Full Bands) for coins with exceptional reverse detail.
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4–6 | Good |
| 7–10 | Very Good |
| 12–15 | Fine |
| 20–30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
Accurate grading is essential to determine the exact value of your coin. For best results, compare your 1919 dime to a trusted grading guide or have it evaluated by a professional numismatist.
1919 Dime Value Guides
1919 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) Dime Value
The Mercury dime—introduced in 1916—was designed to replace the rigid, straightforward Barber dime with something more artistic and symbolic. Sculpted by Adolph A. Weinman, the design features Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, a timeless emblem of freedom, with wings to represent liberty of thought.
On the obverse, “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears under her chin, the date sits at the bottom, and “LIBERTY” arches along the top. The reverse carries a fasces—symbolizing authority—wrapped in olive branches for peace, along with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DIME,” and the Latin motto E pluribus unum. The mint mark, if present, appears next to the “E” in “ONE.”
A Full Bands designation—where the three sets of bands on the fasces are sharply separated—greatly increases a coin’s value.
In 1919, the Philadelphia Mint struck over 35.7 million dimes. While most surviving examples show heavy wear, uncirculated pieces are still available. Being the most common variety of the year, they are also the least valuable.
| Grade | Value | Value with Full Bands |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Fine | $20 | — |
| AU50 | $35 | — |
| AU58 | $60 | — |
| MS63 | $200 | $275 |
| MS66 | $1,050 | $1,850 |
| MS67 | $2,350 | $11,500 |
1919-D (Denver) Dime Value
The Denver Mint produced just under 10 million dimes in 1919—half of the previous year’s output. This lower mintage makes them scarcer, especially in higher grades. Many examples are weakly struck, often with die cracks from overuse, as each die was estimated to have struck up to 200,000 coins.
Even in circulated condition, 1919-D dimes command strong prices. Mint State examples, particularly with Full Bands, are rare and highly sought after.
| Grade | Value | Value with Full Bands |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Fine | $75 | — |
| AU58 | $335 | — |
| MS63 | $800 | $3,500 |
| MS66 | $4,750 | $135,000 |
1919-S (San Francisco) Dime Value
The San Francisco Mint struck just over 8.8 million dimes in 1919—the lowest mintage of the year. Like the Denver coins, these were often poorly struck due to overused dies, making sharp examples scarce.
Circulated coins above Very Fine are rare, and uncirculated examples are elusive. Full Bands coins are among the rarest of the Mercury dime series.
| Grade | Value | Value with Full Bands |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Fine | $75 | — |
| AU grades | $110–$375 | — |
| MS62 | $825 | — |
| MS63 | $1,150 | — |
| MS64 | $1,650 | $8,500 |
| MS66 | $3,500 | $135,000 |
| MS67 | $4,750 | $185,000 |
Rare 1919 Dime Error List
While 1919 Mercury dimes are already valuable due to age, mintage, and silver content, certain mint errors can significantly increase their market value. Below are the most notable error varieties recorded for this date.
1919 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
In 2016, numismatists identified a scarce doubled die obverse variety for the 1919 Mercury dime. Only ten examples are known to exist.
The doubling is most visible in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse, although magnification is required to spot it clearly. This error occurs when a working die becomes misaligned during the hubbing process, producing a doubled image on certain design elements.
Even low-grade examples can command extraordinary prices. One VG8 coin—despite heavy wear—sold for over $2,800 due to this rare doubling.
1919 Struck 10% Off-Center
An off-center strike happens when the planchet is not properly aligned with the dies, causing part of the design to be missing and leaving a blank crescent of metal.
A known example from 1919—a MS62 Full Bands dime struck 10% off-center—displayed a blank area along the left side of the obverse. This coin realized a price of $300 at auction.
1919 Uncentered Broadstrike
A broadstrike occurs when a coin is struck outside the retaining collar, allowing the metal to spread outward. In an uncentered broadstrike, the planchet is only partially seated in the collar, creating a wider-than-normal flan without cutting off any design details.
One AU50 1919 dime with this error sold for nearly $100, compared to a market value of about $28 for a problem-free example in the same grade.
Where to Sell Your Dime Coin?
Now that you know the value of your dime, the next step is deciding where to sell it. There are several trusted options—both online and in person—that can help you get the best price depending on your coin’s rarity and condition.
To see the full list of recommended places, along with their advantages and disadvantages, check our complete guide on where to sell your dime coins.
1919 Dime FAQs
How much is a dime worth from 1919?
Circulated 1919 Mercury dimes can be valued today anywhere between $2.50 to over $50, depending on wear. In about-uncirculated (AU) grades, prices range from $28 to $200. Mint-state coins can reach $3,200 or more for high-grade gems.
Coins with the Full Bands designation can be dramatically more valuable. For example, an MS66 1919-D Full Bands dime is worth around $125,000 today.
How much silver is in a 1919 dime?
Each 1919 Mercury dime is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a silver weight of approximately 0.07234 troy ounces. This gives it a base melt value tied to current silver prices, even if the coin is heavily worn.
What is the error on the 1919 dime?
Commonly documented errors include:
- Doubled Die Obverse (notably in “IN GOD WE TRUST”)
- Off-Center Strikes (partial blank areas on the coin)
- Uncentered Broadstrikes (wider flan but full design visible)
Some of these can increase the value of a 1919 dime by hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.
What Mercury Dime is rare?
Key dates in the Mercury dime series include 1916-D, 1918-S, 1920-S, 1921, and 1926-S. For the 1919 issues, Full Bands specimens from Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) are particularly rare and highly sought after.
Why are Full Bands so important for Mercury dimes?
The “Full Bands” designation indicates that the horizontal bands binding the fasces on the reverse are sharply struck and fully separated. This requires excellent die condition and precise striking pressure—both of which were uncommon in 1919, especially at the Denver and San Francisco Mints.
Which 1919 dime is worth the most money?
The most valuable known 1919 Mercury dimes are Full Bands gems in very high mint state. The record-holding example is a 1919-S MS67 Full Bands, which has fetched prices exceeding $180,000 at auction.
Why are some 1919 dimes poorly struck?
In 1919, the Denver and San Francisco Mints overused their dies, striking hundreds of thousands of coins per die before replacement. This led to weak strikes, worn details, and sometimes cracked dies—making sharply struck examples rare and valuable today.
Is a worn 1919 dime still valuable?
Yes. Even heavily circulated examples retain value because of their silver content and collectible interest. While a worn dime might be worth only a few dollars over melt value, its worth can multiply if it has an error or is part of a key date/mint combination.
How can I tell if my 1919 dime is uncirculated?
Look for:
- Original mint luster that reflects light evenly
- No flattening on Lady Liberty’s hair, cheek, and ear
- Sharp, fully separated bands on the reverse fasces
- Absence of significant contact marks or wear
Where can I sell a rare 1919 dime?
Reputable options include:
- Major auction houses (Heritage, Stack’s Bowers) for high-value pieces
- PCGS or NGC-certified coin dealers
- Numismatic shows and conventions
- Online marketplaces (eBay, GreatCollections) — but only for coins with proper authentication
