1916 Mercury Dime Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 1916-D stands apart as the undisputed key date of the entire Mercury Dime series. It remains one of the rarest regular-issue business strikes of the 20th century, and that reputation is reflected directly in its price: even a well-worn standard example starts around $1,448 in Good condition.

Understanding 1916 Mercury Dime value means looking at all three mint varieties together. The Philadelphia and San Francisco regular issues are far more accessible, with Good-condition values at $7.80 and $10.60 respectively, making them reasonable entry points for newer collectors.

The 1916-D, by contrast, is rare in all grades, and that gap only widens as condition improves, with standard MS examples reaching $21,500.

 

1916 Mercury Dime Value By Variety

The table below covers 1916 Mercury Dime values across all three mint marks, both standard and Full Bands strikes, and every major grade level. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 70+ Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money (Chart By Year)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1916 Mercury Dime Worth Money

The most valuable 1916 Mercury Dimes at auction are almost entirely dominated by the 1916-D, and the Full Bands (FB) designation makes a dramatic difference in price.

At the very top sits the 1916-D graded MS67FB, which realized $207,000 — the highest recorded sale in the chart. Just below it, the MS66FB and MS65FB examples brought $88,125 and $66,000 respectively, showing how significantly value climbs with each grade step.

The FB premium is hard to ignore. A 1916-D MS64FB sold for $33,600, while a non-FB 1916-D MS65 reached $29,900 — meaning a lower-grade FB example can still outperform a higher-grade standard strike.

Not every coin on this list is a 1916-D. The 1916-S MS67FB made the top ten at $23,000, a good reminder that high-grade FB examples from other mints also carry serious collector interest.

 

History of the 1916 Mercury Dime

The Mercury Dime was born out of a broader movement to refresh American coinage in the early 20th century. President Theodore Roosevelt had long pushed for coins that reflected the artistic spirit of the time, and by 1916, the old Barber Dime had reached its mandatory 25-year design limit, opening the door for something new.

The timing of the coin’s release was anything but ordinary. With World War I raging in Europe, the coin’s reverse imagery of a fasces and olive branch carried real emotional weight for Americans, representing both preparedness and the hope for peace.

From that point on, the Mercury Dime witnessed some of the most significant events in American history — World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II — becoming deeply intertwined with the everyday lives of the people who carried it. It remained in circulation until 1945, when it was retired to honor the recently passed President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Also Read: Mercury Dime Coin Value (1916-1945)

 

Is Your 1916 Mercury Dime Rare?

Use the CoinValueChecker App to check your 1916 Mercury Dime’s rarity score and see how it ranks across the entire Mercury Dime series.

 

Key Features of the 1916 Mercury Dime

The 1916 Mercury Dime marks the very first year of Adolph A. Weinman’s iconic design, making it a historically significant issue within the series. Fresh and newly introduced to the public, it set the artistic standard that would define American dimes for nearly three decades.

The Obverse of the 1916 Mercury Dime

The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap — a design so reminiscent of the Roman god Mercury that the nickname quickly took hold and never left.

“LIBERTY” arches along the upper rim, with “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed in smaller text to the lower left of the portrait. The date “1916” sits beneath Liberty’s neck truncation at the lower right. Weinman’s initials “AW” appear on the obverse, midway between the date and the letter Y in “LIBERTY”.

The Reverse of the 1916 Mercury Dime

At the center of the reverse stands a fasces — a bundle of rods bound together with an axe — symbolizing unity and strength. An olive branch wraps around the fasces, representing peace.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” is placed to the right of the fasces. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim, and “ONE DIME” is inscribed along the bottom. On Denver and San Francisco strikes, the mint mark “D” or “S” appears at the lower left base of the fasces.

Other Features of the 1916 Mercury Dime

The 1916 Mercury Dime is a round coin with a reeded edge. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with an official weight of 2.50 grams and a diameter of 17.90 mm.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Dimes Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

1916 Mercury Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The three 1916 Mercury Dime issues were struck in vastly different quantities. The Philadelphia (No Mint) issue led with 22,180,080 coins, followed by the San Francisco issue at 10,450,000. The Denver issue, by contrast, had a mintage of just 264,000.

What stands out in the survival data is how it doesn’t simply follow mintage numbers. Despite its tiny original output, the 1916-D actually shares the same estimated survival figure as the Philadelphia issue, both at around 10,000 coins. This gives the 1916-D a survival rate of 3.7879%, far higher than Philadelphia’s 0.0451%.

The San Francisco issue has the lowest estimated survival at 6,000 coins and a survival rate of 0.0574%. This suggests that high-mintage coins were heavily circulated and worn away over time, while the 1916-D’s scarcity encouraged more careful preservation from early on.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List (Year Chart)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1916 Mercury Dime Value

Three factors shape your 1916 Mercury Dime’s value: the mint mark, the grade, and whether the reverse shows Full Bands. You can check the mint mark on the reverse of the coin — Philadelphia pieces have no mark, while Denver and San Francisco strikes carry a “D” or “S.”

For condition, look at key areas like Liberty’s portrait, the date, and the word “LIBERTY” — the sharper and more detailed these remain, the higher the grade is likely to be. The bands on the reverse fasces are also worth examining closely, as Full Bands examples carry a notable premium.

The CoinValueChecker App makes it easy to check your coin’s grade and value directly.

 

1916 Mercury Dime Value Guides

The 1916 Mercury Dime was produced at three mints, each creating a distinct variety that collectors treat separately. Understanding which one you have is an important first step in figuring out its value.

• 1916 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime — struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this is the most commonly encountered 1916 issue.
• 1916-D Mercury Dime — produced at the Denver Mint, this is the key date of the entire Mercury Dime series and one of the most sought-after coins in American numismatics.
• 1916-S Mercury Dime — struck at the San Francisco Mint, this issue is a respectable find in higher grades.

All three varieties share the same iconic Weinman design, but their differences in rarity and collector demand make each one worth evaluating on its own terms.

 

1916 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value

The 1916 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime is the Philadelphia issue and the most accessible of the three 1916 varieties. As a first-year issue, it carries a modest collector premium even in circulated grades, and the combination of age, design quality, and first-year status keeps it in steady demand.

Grade makes a real difference in what this coin is worth. The finest known examples have reached MS68 Full Bands, with a top auction result of $20,400 for an MS68+FB example at Stack’s Bowers in August 2020. For most collectors, though, this coin is valued in the more accessible MS64 to MS67 range.

The Full Bands designation is worth paying attention to here. MS67FB examples have sold in the $900 to $1,680 range in recent years, making high-grade FB examples a realistic target for serious collectors.

Take a look at the auction records below to see how this coin has performed across different grades and platforms.

The market activity chart gives you a sense of how collector interest in the 1916 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime has shifted over the past year.

 

1916-D Mercury Dime Value

Among numismatists, the 1916-D Mercury Dime is widely regarded as one of the most important regular-issue rarities of the 20th century, often mentioned in the same breath as the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent and the 1932-D Washington quarter.

What makes this coin particularly compelling is how it commands serious value across every grade level. Even heavily worn examples regularly sell for $550–$850, a price floor that few coins of any era can match. The coin is rare whether circulated or not, which is unusual even among key dates.

At the top of the market, the numbers are remarkable. A toned MS67FB example approval brought $207,000 at a Heritage auction in August 2010, and that same coin later sold for $204,000 at a Stack’s Bowers auction in March 2020. These results reflect the kind of sustained collector demand that defines a truly trophy coin.

Browse the auction records below for a closer look at what buyers have actually paid for the 1916-D.

The market activity chart below reflects how the 1916-D has been trading among collectors month by month.

 

1916-S Mercury Dime Value

The 1916-S Mercury Dime sits in a comfortable middle ground within the 1916 series — more accessible than the 1916-D, yet noticeably scarcer once you move into higher grades. Gem examples are available in small but meaningful numbers, with many showing Full Bands details, strong luster, and overall sharp strikes.

One thing worth knowing about the 1916-S is its distinctive strike pattern. Unlike other Mercury dimes, the 1916-S tends to show weakness at the lower diagonal band rather than the center crossbands, making fully struck examples particularly appealing to specialists.

At the top of the market, the auction record for this issue stands at $23,000 for an MS67 example sold at Heritage Auctions in August 2001. For most collectors, though, this coin represents a well-priced entry into the 1916 Mercury Dime series with genuine numismatic character.

The auction records below document what this coin has brought across a range of grades and sale dates.

See how the 1916-S has been moving among collectors in the market activity chart below.

Also Read: 16 Rare Dime Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1916 Mercury Dime Error List

While the 1916 Mercury Dime is best known for its key date status and Full Bands designation, a small number of genuine mint errors exist across the series. These pieces are scarce and draw attention from error coin specialists. Knowing what to look for can make a real difference when evaluating an unusual example.

1. Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike occurs when the retaining collar — the metal ring that constrains the planchet during striking — fails to engage properly. Without it, the metal spreads outward, producing a coin that is wider and flatter than normal, with a smooth, unfinished edge instead of the typical reeding.

For 1916 Mercury Dimes, broadstrikes are genuinely scarce. A documented 1916-S example graded MS61 shows a large amount of visible planchet and nearly approaches an off-center strike. The degree of spread, overall strike quality, and whether the design remains complete all affect what a broadstruck example might bring at auction.

2. Off-Center Strike

An off-center strike happens when the planchet is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of impact. The result is a coin where part of the design is missing and a blank, unstruck crescent of metal is visible along one side.

Value on off-center strikes depends heavily on how much of the design remains visible and whether the date can still be clearly read. For a date as historically significant as 1916, a well-centered off-center error with a readable date would attract serious collector interest.

3. Die Cap/Brockage

A die cap forms when a struck coin sticks to one of the dies rather than ejecting normally. As subsequent planchets are struck, the trapped coin becomes distorted into a bottle-cap shape, and may begin leaving incuse mirror impressions — known as brockages — on the coins that follow.

Die caps and brockages are among the rarest error types documented within the Mercury Dime series. For 1916 issues, confirmed examples are exceptionally rare. The completeness of the cap shape and the clarity of any brockage impression are the primary factors that determine collector value.

 

Where to Sell Your 1916 Mercury Dime?

Whether you’re looking to sell a circulated 1916 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime or a prized 1916-D, finding the right platform makes all the difference. We’ve put together a complete guide on the best places to sell your coins online, including detailed introductions, pros, and cons for each.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1916 Mercury Dime Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 1916 Mercury Dime

1. What makes the 1916 Mercury Dime so special compared to other years?

1916 is the first year of the Mercury Dime series, making every issue from this year historically significant. More importantly, it produced one of the rarest regular-issue coins of the 20th century — the 1916-D — whose extremely low mintage has made it a cornerstone of American numismatics for over a century.

2. How much is a 1916 Mercury Dime worth?

Value varies widely depending on the mint mark, grade, and whether the coin has Full Bands (FB). A standard 1916 No Mint Mark in Good condition starts around $7.80, while a 1916-D in the same grade is worth around $1,448. At the top end, a 1916-D MS67FB has sold for as much as $207,000 at auction.

3. How do I know if my 1916 Mercury Dime is a 1916-D?

Check the reverse of the coin near the base of the fasces. A genuine 1916-D will have a small “D” mint mark in that area. The 1916-D is one of the most frequently counterfeited U.S. coins, with fakes typically created by adding a “D” mint mark to a common 1916 Philadelphia dime. Professional authentication is strongly recommended before buying or selling.

4. What does “Full Bands” mean on a 1916 Mercury Dime?

Full Bands (FB) refers to the complete, distinct separation of the horizontal bands wrapped around the fasces on the reverse. This indicates an exceptionally well-struck coin. FB examples consistently command significant premiums — for the 1916-D, an MS64FB at $33,600 can outperform a non-FB MS65 at $29,900.

5. Why did the 1916-D Mercury Dime have such a low mintage?

Numismatists have long speculated that the Denver Mint halted production of the new dime design shortly after an initial production run to devote resources to quarter production, resulting in the series’ lowest mintage by a wide margin. This abrupt stop is what created the key date status the 1916-D holds today.

6. Is a worn 1916-D Mercury Dime still worth buying?

Absolutely. Due to its cost and status as a key date, the 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the few coins in the series to have a devoted collector following even in the very lowest grades. Even heavily circulated examples regularly sell for hundreds of dollars, making grade less of a barrier for this particular date than for most coins.

7. How can I tell the difference between the 1916 No Mint Mark and 1916-S Mercury Dime?

Look on the reverse of the coin, at the lower left base of the fasces. A San Francisco coin will have a small “S” mint mark in that location. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark at all. Both are considerably more common than the 1916-D, but the 1916-S is noticeably scarcer in higher Mint State grades.

8. Did the 1916 Mercury Dime replace the Barber Dime?

Yes. The Mercury Dime’s release in late 1916 came after the Barber Dime — which shared its obverse portrait with the Barber Quarter and Half Dollar — had been in production long enough to be eligible for replacement. Both designs briefly coexisted in circulation during 1916, making that year unique in U.S. dime history.

9. Should I clean my 1916 Mercury Dime before selling it?

No. Cleaning a coin — even with good intentions — almost always reduces its value. Collectors and grading services can detect cleaning, and a cleaned coin will receive a details grade rather than a numerical grade, which significantly limits its market appeal and price. Always store coins in a stable environment and handle them by the edges only.

10. Is the 1916 Mercury Dime a good coin for beginning collectors?

It depends on which variety. The 1916 No Mint Mark is an accessible and affordable entry point, with circulated examples starting under $15. The 1916-S is a solid mid-range pick. Authentication is particularly important when purchasing key dates like the 1916-D, so newer collectors are advised to buy certified examples of higher-value pieces to ensure authenticity.