1916 10C Mercury Dime

David Hall

The first year of issue for the widely collected Mercury dime series. Many were saved as it was the first year of issue, so this date is available in all grades. Uncirculated examples are not rare, but are of course rarer than the 1934-1945 late dates. Gem MS65 examples are more available than any other pre-1934 Mercury dime.

Most mint state examples have fully struck reverse crossbands, and most are indeed sharply struck throughout. Luster is typically satiny, as opposed to the more frosty, milky-like luster of the later isuues.