Vital Stats.
Designer: Charles E. Barber
Diameter: 17.9 millimeters
Weight: 2.5 grams
Content: 90% silver 10% copper
Edge: Reeded
Mint Mark Location: Just below the wreath on the reverse
Winged Liberty Head Dime
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Winged Liberty 'Mercury Head' Dime
According to many collectors, the “Mercury” dime may be the most beautiful U.S. coin
ever produced. It is suprising that this small coin could bare such an intricate
and aesthetically pleasing design.
One thing the design does not depict, is Mercury, Mercury (the messenger of the
gods in Roman mythology) had wings on his feet, not his hat. The obverse image is
actually Liberty wearing a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought. The coin is
more correctly named the Winged Head Liberty dime. But the name “Mercury”, even
though it was wrong, was applied to it early on and, after many years the usage
has stuck.
One thing collectors should be aware of is the two doubled die varieties are among
the most desirable Winged Liberty Head dimes. The most significant die varieties
in the series are the 1942/1 and 1942/1-D Winged Liberty Head. While commonly called
overdates, they are not overdates in the traditional sense.
They (more accurately) are doubled dies, like the famous 1955 and 1972 Lincoln
head Doubled Die cents. The two varieties were created when two dies were impressed
first with a hub dated 1941, and then impressed again with a second hub dated 1942.
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