Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Mercury dime, officially called the Winged Liberty Head dime, in 1916. It became one of the most admired U.S. coin designs. The series ran until 1945, when the U.S. Mint replaced it with the Roosevelt dime.
Because these coins are struck in 90% silver, even worn examples are always worth more than face value. However, collectors place the highest premiums on well-preserved specimens and coins with sharp strikes, especially those displaying Full Bands (FB) on the reverse.
1940 Mercury Dime Value Chart
| Condition | 1940 (No Mint Mark) | 1940-D (Denver) | 1940-S (San Francisco) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | $3.42 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| Very Good | $4.01 | $4.01 | $4.01 |
| Fine | $4.56 | $4.56 | $4.56 |
| Very Fine | $4.82 | $4.82 | $4.82 |
| Extra Fine | $5.11 | $5.11 | $5.11 |
| AU 50 | $6.13 | $6.13 | $6.13 |
| MS 60 | $9.73 | $9.73 | $11.08 |
| MS 65 | $38 | $43 | $43 |
| PR 65 | $222 | — | — |
History of the 1940 Mercury Dime
After twenty-five years in circulation, the Barber dime was officially retired, making way for a new design. On October 30, 1916, the first Mercury dimes—officially known as the Winged Liberty Head dimes—were released. Because of this overlap, collectors can actually find two different dime types bearing the same year, 1916: the last Barber dime and the first Mercury dime.
The U.S. Mint invited three designers to create the new ten-cent coin featuring Lady Liberty. Ultimately, Adolph A. Weinman’s design won, surpassing the submissions of Hermon A. MacNeil and Albin Polasek. Weinman, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, gave the coin an elegant and modern look.
Rumors suggest that Liberty’s face was modeled after Elsie Kachel Stevens, whose portrait Weinman had sketched in 1913. Regardless of inspiration, the Mercury dime quickly became a national symbol of American ideals, peace, and liberty of thought.
The Mercury dime series ran from 1916 to 1945, until it was replaced in the final year of World War II by the Roosevelt dime, honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1940 Mercury Dime Types and Mintage
| Location | Year & Type | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1940 (No Mint Mark) | 65,350,000 |
| Philadelphia | 1940 Proof | 11,827 |
| San Francisco | 1940-S | 21,560,000 |
| Denver | 1940-D | 21,198,000 |
| Total | — | 108,119,827 |
In 1940, nearly 110 million Mercury dimes were struck across three mints, including a small proof mintage in Philadelphia. At the time, a single dime could buy a double-dipped ice cream cone, two Coca-Cola bottles, or even a 52-page comic book.
Today, the Winged Liberty Head dime remains one of the most beloved U.S. coin designs. Collectors often build affordable Dansco album sets, while high-end collectors pursue certified sets of the finest specimens—sometimes valued in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Features of the 1940 Mercury Dime
Mercury dimes—officially called Winged Liberty Head dimes—were designed by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman and minted from 1916 to 1945, before being replaced by the Roosevelt dime after WWII. Despite their nickname, these coins do not actually depict the Roman god Mercury. Instead, they feature Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom of thought.
They remain one of the most popular and widely collected U.S. coin series.
Obverse Design
The obverse of the 1940 Mercury dime showcases:
- Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, which reminded many of Mercury, the Roman messenger god.
- The word LIBERTY encircling the top.
- The year of mintage placed to the lower right.
- The motto IN GOD WE TRUST near Liberty’s neck.
- The designer’s initials “AW” at the right truncation of Liberty’s neck.
Reverse Design
The reverse features strong symbolism:
- A fasces (a bundle of rods tied with an axe), representing strength and authority.
- An olive branch, symbolizing peace, wrapped around the fasces to balance power with harmony.
- The motto E·PLURIBUS·UNUM to the right.
- The inscriptions UNITED · STATES · OF · AMERICA and ONE DIME framing the design.
1940 Mercury Dime Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Face Value | Ten cents ($0.10) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Diameter | 0.705 in (17.91 mm) |
| Weight | 0.080 oz (2.5 g) |
| Silver Weight | 0.072 troy oz (2.24 g) |
| Thickness | 0.053 in (1.35 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded (118 reeds) |
1940 Mercury Dime Grading
Like all collectible U.S. coins, the 1940 Mercury dime is graded on the Sheldon Scale from 1 to 70. This system measures a coin’s overall appearance, strike quality, and signs of wear. Lower numbers reflect heavy circulation and wear, while higher grades represent coins in pristine, uncirculated condition.
Grading Scale
| Grade No. | Grade Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 | Barely identifiable, extremely worn. |
| 2 | Fair | Very heavily worn, major details faded. |
| 3 | Very Fair | Slightly clearer than Fair but still poor detail. |
| 4–6 | Good | Heavy wear, but major devices like Liberty’s outline remain visible. |
| 7–10 | Very Good | Moderate wear, rims mostly intact, inscriptions readable. |
| 12–15 | Fine | Moderate to heavy wear; Liberty’s details visible but flat. |
| 20–30 | Very Fine | Moderate wear with some design details clear. |
| 40 | Extremely Fine (XF) | Light wear, with most details sharp. |
| 50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | Small traces of wear on high points only. |
| 60 | Mint State (MS 60) | Uncirculated with noticeable marks or luster breaks. |
| 65 | Mint State (MS 65) | Gem quality, strong strike, minimal marks, full luster. |
| 70 | Mint State (MS 70) | Perfect coin, flawless strike, no post-production marks. |
1940 Mercury Dime Value Guides
In 1940, three U.S. mints struck a total of 108,119,827 Mercury dimes, including both circulation strikes and proofs. Their value today depends on condition, mint mark, and whether they display the sought-after Full Bands (FB) detail on the reverse.
1940 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value (Philadelphia)
The Philadelphia Mint struck the largest number, with 65,350,000 pieces.
- Circulated coins: $3.20 – $5.75
- Uncirculated coins:
- MS 60 → $12
- MS 61 → $13
- MS 62 → $18
- MS 63 → $25
- MS 64 → $40
- MS 65 → $53
- MS 66 → $75
- MS 67 → $110
- MS 68 → $625
Full Bands (FB): These bring a premium: $15 – $170 depending on grade, with rare MS 68 FB pieces estimated at $3,750.
1940 Proof Mercury Dime Value (Philadelphia)
The Philadelphia Mint also struck 11,827 proof coins in 1940.
- Common proofs: $110 – $575
- PR 68 → $2,750
- PR 69 → up to $50,000 at auction
1940 D Mercury Dime Value (Denver)
The Denver Mint issued 21,198,000 coins, marked with a small D on the reverse.
- Circulated coins: $3.20 – $5.75
- Uncirculated coins:
- MS 61 → $13
- MS 62 → $18
- MS 63 → $25
- MS 64 → $40
- MS 65 → $53
- MS 66 → $75
- MS 67 → $110
- MS 68 → $1,250
Full Bands (FB):
- MS 61 → $20
- MS 62 → $26
- MS 63 → $34
- MS 64 → $45
- MS 65 → $68
- MS 66 → $100
- MS 67 → $250
- MS 68 → $1,450
1940 S Mercury Dime Value (San Francisco)
The San Francisco Mint produced 21,560,000 coins with the S mint mark.
- Circulated coins: $3.20 – $5.75
- Uncirculated coins:
- MS 61 → $13
- MS 62 → $18
- MS 63 → $25
- MS 64 → $40
- MS 65 → $53
- MS 66 → $75
- MS 67 → $225
- MS 68 → $2,000
Collector’s Insight: While circulated 1940 Mercury dimes are easy to find and worth only a few dollars, high-grade Full Bands examples and proof strikes can reach thousands of dollars, making them highly sought-after in the numismatic market.
Rare 1940 Mercury Dime Error List
It is possible to find imperfections among 1940 dimes from all three mints. These minting mistakes make the coins significantly more valuable than regular strikes, with prices depending on the rarity and type of error.
Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
A doubled die obverse occurs when the die strikes the planchet more than once, leaving traces of overlapping details on the coin’s surface. On 1940 Mercury dimes, this can often be seen in the inscriptions “LIBERTY” or **“IN GOD WE TRUST.”
- A few known 1940-S DDO dimes are highly collectible.
- Values: $50 – $150, depending on grade and visibility of doubling.
Uncentered Broad Strike
Sometimes, the dime was struck out of its collar, leaving the design slightly off-center. This creates a broad, unframed coin edge, which is instantly noticeable.
- Such coins are always more desirable than regular strikes.
- Example: A 1940 MS 62 uncentered broad strike sold for $90 in 2014, while a regular MS 62 piece would typically be worth only $8 to $11.
Re-Punched Mint Mark (RPM)
A common error on 1940 dimes struck in Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). This happens when the mint mark was hand-punched into the die more than once, creating a shadow or doubling effect.
- Collectors actively seek RPM Mercury dimes.
- Values: $150 for standard pieces, while Full Bands RPM examples can bring up to $300.
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.
FAQ about the 1940 Mercury Dime Value
What is the value of a 1940 Mercury dime today?
The base value of a 1940 Mercury dime is tied to its silver content, which is around $3 to $4 depending on silver prices. However, collectible value can be much higher. Circulated examples often sell for $3.20 to $6, while uncirculated pieces in high grades (MS 65 to MS 68) can bring $50 to $600 or more. Proof and Full Bands specimens are worth significantly more, sometimes thousands of dollars.
How much is a 1940 proof Mercury dime worth?
The Philadelphia Mint struck only 11,827 proof Mercury dimes in 1940. Today, their value starts at about $110 to $575 in lower proof grades. High-end proofs graded PR 68 sell for around $2,750, and ultra-rare PR 69 coins can command auction prices up to $50,000.
What is a “Full Bands” 1940 Mercury dime and why is it valuable?
A “Full Bands” designation (FB) refers to the horizontal bands on the fasces on the reverse of the coin being fully separated and sharply struck. This detail is rare due to weak strikes. Collectors pay premiums for these coins:
- 1940 FB examples can bring $15 to $170 in lower grades.
- MS 68 FB coins may be valued at $3,750 or higher, depending on the mint and condition.
What is the difference between the 1940, 1940-D, and 1940-S dimes?
- 1940 (No Mint Mark) – Struck in Philadelphia, with over 65 million minted. Common but valuable in higher grades and with Full Bands.
- 1940-D – Struck in Denver (21.1 million minted). Worth $3 to $6 in circulated grades but up to $1,450 in MS 68 Full Bands.
- 1940-S – Struck in San Francisco (21.5 million minted). Circulated coins are modestly priced, but uncirculated MS 68 examples can reach $2,000.
Are error 1940 Mercury dimes valuable?
Yes. Errors like doubled die obverse (DDO), re-punched mint marks (RPM), and uncentered broad strikes can bring much higher prices than regular coins. For example:
- A 1940-S DDO dime can fetch $50 to $150.
- An RPM example may sell for $150 to $300, especially in Full Bands condition.
- Uncentered strikes in MS condition have sold for nearly $90, compared to $10 or less for a regular piece.
How do I know if my 1940 Mercury dime is rare?
Check for:
- Condition – Higher grade coins (MS 65+) are worth significantly more.
- Full Bands designation – A strong strike adds major premiums.
- Proof strike – Low-mintage proof coins are rare and highly valuable.
- Errors – Look for doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and striking errors.
If your coin has any of these traits, it may be rare and worth sending to a grading service like PCGS or NGC.
