NNP Encyclopedia data is provided in cooperation with Whitman Brands, based on catalog data organized by the Greysheet Identification System (GSID).
Entry Details
PCGS Number: 4937 Coin Date: 1921-D Denomination (Short): 10c Denomination (Long): 10 Cents Desg: MS Mint Mark: D Composition: 90% silver; 10% copper Mintage: 1,080,000 Strike Type: Business Coinage Type: Winged liberty head (Mercury) dime Coinage Years: 1916-1945 Mint Location: Denver Diameter: 17.9 Fineness: 0.9 Weight (Grams): 2.5 Weight (Ounces): 0.08 Designer: Adolph A. Weinman Edge: Reeded Obverse Description: Winged Liberty, or Mercury (the Roman god of commerce), is depicted facing left with LIBERTY spelled around the periphery. IN GOD WE TRUST appears left of the neck and the date is positioned just below the bust around 5 o'clock. The designer's initials "AW" appear to the right of the neck. Reverse Description: A large torch is centered vertically adorned with an axe head and olive branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN * ONE DIME * is spelled out around the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears near the bottom rim left of the torch. General Notes:
The 1921-D dime is the second-lowest mintage regular-issue Mercury dime behind the holy grail of Mercury dimes, the coveted 1916-D. With a mintage of just over 1 million, the 1921-D might be a categorical semi-key date in terms of numismatic nomenclature, but in reality it is a true conditional rarity from the standpoint of Full Bands specimens.
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There are only a few hundred specimens across all Mint State grades and fewer than 100 in MS65FB or better. An MS66 FB graded by PCGS and stickered by CAC realized a respectable $50,400 in a 2019 Heritage Auctions sale. Other strong premiums are realistic for similar examples of the 1921-D with Full Bands details.
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Unfortunately, one must be extra cautious when buying any rare FB Mercury dimes, including the 1921-D. Some raw examples are altered dates or all-out counterfeits, while others are legitimate 1921-D Mercury dimes that have had the horizontal cross bands on the fasces sculpted by the use of a pen knife or other sharp implement. Buy third-party specimens whenever possible. PCGS #: 4937 NGC ID: 23HF
