Owner Comments:
I acquired this coin on 5/30/2007. Population 1 of 576 with 83 graded higher by NGC as of 5/2007. It is a great looking coin and a good addition to my 20th Century Type set and my Parents' BD set.
The Circulation mintage was: 205,410,000 including
Proofs: 22,329
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Diameter: 17.9 millimeters
Metal content is:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%
Weight: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
In 1916, sculptor Adolph A. Weinman produced a new design for the dime called the Liberty Head type. The motif features Miss Liberty facing left, wearing a Phrygian cap with wings, symbolizing "liberty of thought". The word "LIBERTY" encircles her head, with "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date below her head.
The reverse depicts Roman fasces, a bundle of rods with the center rod being an ax, against a branch in the background. It is a symbol of state authority, which offers a choice: "by the rod or by the ax". The condemned was either beaten to death with the rods or allowed the mercy of the ax. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DIME" surround the border. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" appears at the lower right.
Shortly after the dime began circulating, many began calling it the Mercury dime due to the wings on the cap. Mercury is Roman God of commerce, property and wealth as well as the messenger to the gods. Mercury is often depicted wearing a broad brimmed hat bearing wings. Mercury gained his speed from the small winged sandals he wore.
The design was continued without change through 1945. The coin was minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints. Proofs were made at the Philadelphia Mint from 1936 through 1942.
In 1946 it was replaced by the Roosevelt dime, designed in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died in April 1945.