1919 Dime

The Mercury dime—also known as the Winged Liberty coin—is a fan-favorite among coin collectors everywhere. Not only was it an upgrade in the artistic sense from the previous, more rigid dime, but it is also valuable in a technical sense due to its high silver fineness.

Many Mercury dimes are valuable today. One of them is the 1919 dime, which is quite elusive in several varieties and grades.

Curious about the 1919 dime value? We’ve got you. Keep scrolling to learn more about vintage 1919 Mercury dimes and what they could be worth today.

1919 Dime Value Chart

Mint Mark Extremely Fine AU58 About Uncirculated MS63 Select Uncirculated MS66 Gem Uncirculated MS67 Superb Gem Uncirculated
1919 No Mint Mark Dime Value $12 $42 Full Bands:$50 $200 Full Bands:$275 $1,125 Full Bands:$1,750 $2,350 Full Bands:$10,750
1919 “D” Dime Value $41 $225Full Bands:$600 $775 Full Bands:$3,150 $4,500 Full Bands:$135,000
1919 “S” Dime Value $41 $200 $1,150 Full Bands:$4,250 $3,150 Full Bands:$70,000 $4,250 Full Bands:$135,000

1919 Dime Grading

When it comes to coin grades, uncirculated coins in untouched condition are always more valuable than circulated coins with faded luster and smoothing on the design elements.

Want to know if you have an uncirculated 1919 dime? Assess your coin and look for these common signs found in mint-state Mercury dimes:

  • High shine and luster under direct light
  • No flattening and smoothening on the high points of the coin, like Lady Liberty’s hair, cheek, and ear.
  • The center bands holding the fasces together on the reverse have a sharp, bold strike
  • The leaves on the olive branches are still rounded and look intricately detailed

Worried that you’re not grading your 1919 dimes accurately? Here’s an easy-to-follow coin grading guide that is focused on the Mercury dimes to help you out:

# Grade
1 Basal State-1
2 Fair
3 Very Fair
4, 5, 6 Good
7, 8, 10 Very Good
12, 15 Fine
20, 30 Very Fine
40 Extremely Fine
50 About Uncirculated
60 Mint State
65 Mint State
70 Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Mercury Dime?

1919 No Mint Mark Dime Value

1919 No Mint Mark Dime

The Mercury dime first went into circulation in 1916. The dime that came before it, the Barber dime, was known to be too rigid and straightforward. So, it only made sense that the dime that replaced it was artistic, emotionally charged, and ultra-poetic.

Above all things, the Mercury dime symbolized liberty and freedom of thought. That’s why it depicted none other than Lady Liberty wearing a freedom cap. The iconic image was designed by German sculptor Adolph Weinman.

Aside from Lady Liberty, the obverse has a few other elements. Under her chin are the word “In God We Trust,” and the mintage date is engraved at the bottom of the coin. On the upper rim, the word “LIBERTY” is spelled with spaced-out letters.

The reverse of the coin is also quite poetic. It shows the image of a fasces—a bundle of rods tied together with bands. On the upper left hand of the fasces is a sharp axe. The fasces was used in Roman times, carried around by lictors to represent power and authority.

But this intimidating fasces is also cradled by olive branches—the universal symbol of peace. It strikes a balance with what a fasces stands for. These emotional motifs were apt for the times, since in 1916, World War I was ravaging countries in Europe.

In the peripheries of the coin’s reverse are “United States of America” and the denomination. It also has the Latin creed “E pluribus unum” on the right of the fasces. Any mint marks should be seen on the lower part of the reverse, right beside the “E” in “One.”

Mercury dimes with what is called a “Full Bands” designation are much more valuable than others. When a dime has Full Bands, it means that the three sets of bands holding the fasces in place are completely separated by a sharp strike. This adds a premium to the coin’s value.

But now, let’s zero in on the 1919 Mercury dimes—starting with the Philadelphia issue.

That year, over 35.7 million dimes were struck in the main Philadelphia Mint. Although the war had ended the year before, it had left the nation in a bad economic condition. This created a huge demand for dimes, so as many of them as possible were created in Philly.

Because so many were made, the 1919 (P) dimes are most commonly in heavily worn condition. Luckily, many mint-state coins in fine grades and sharp strikes are also readily available for collectors.

1919 (P) dimes are still valuable because of their date minted almost a century ago as well as their silver fineness. However, they’re the least valuable of the three varieties minted in 1919.

In extremely fine condition, a circulated 1919 (P) dime would cost around $12 today. This price rises to $36 in AU50 and $42 in AU58, the highest about-uncirculated grade you can get it at.

Mint-state examples are a lot more valuable. Among uncirculated coins, MS63 1919 (P) dimes are by far the most common. At this grade, your coin will be valued at $200. If it has Full Bands, the value increases to $275.

Of course, the prices are at their highest in near-perfect gem grades. An MS66 and MS67 1919 (P) dime would be valued today at $1,125 and $2,350, respectively. And when they are honored with a Full Bands designation, an MS66 would be worth $1,750, and an MS67 at $10,750.

1919 D Dime Value

1919 D Dime

The Denver Mint created just shy of 10 million dimes in 1919. That is just half of the number the Mint produced the year before. This low mintage has made even circulated 1919 D dimes hard to come by. Mint-state coins are even more elusive, especially with Full Bands.

Most if not all 1919 D dimes are struck poorly, specifically in the peripheries and edges of the coin. Many of these coins will have cracks in them, too. This is because so many coins were made with so few dies. It’s estimated that each die had struck more or less 200,000 coins that year.

Even with their imperfections, the 1919 D dimes are still very valuable today. Even in poor to average condition, a circulated coin can be valued at $3.25. In extremely fine condition, this price shoots up to $41. And at AU58, you can expect this coin to sell for $225.

The mint-state 1919 D dimes are among the most expensive among 1919 dimes, rivaling the values of the San Francisco-minted coins in some grades. They’re especially valuable with Full Bands designations, which are incredibly scarce.

At MS63, a 1919 D dime is worth around $775. With Full Bands, the price is almost five times higher at $3,150.

At MS66—a grade awarded to just seven 1919 dimes in existence—the value sits at $4,500. And when it has that coveted Full Bands designation, the price skyrockets exponentially to a whopping $135,000!

1919 S Dime Value

1919 S Dime

The San Francisco Mint produced the fewest dimes in 1919, its mintage just hitting just a little over 8.8 million coins for the series. Like their Denver-minted counterparts, the 1919 S dimes were known to be poorly struck, thanks to their dies being overused all year.

Because the Frisco-minted coins were generally low-quality, circulated 1919 S dimes are rare in grades Very Fine and above. In extremely fine condition, the coins would be worth around $41. In about-uncirculated grades, they could fall anywhere between $94 to $1750.

Uncirculated coins for this issue are rare, especially in gem condition. And with poor strikes as a defining characteristic of this coin, it’s no surprise that 1919 S dimes with a Full Bands designation are immensely difficult to find.

Among mint-state coins, the 1919 S dimes are most common in MS62, MS63, and MS64. An MS62 coin would be worth around $775, while an MS63 and MS64 can be sold in modern times for $1150 and $1,650, respectively.

The prices increase significantly with a Full Bands designation, though. An MS64 coin with these bold bands, for example, is priced six times higher than without. Its value sits at $6,7500.

The most valuable 1919 S dimes, as expected, are finely graded gems. An MS66 dime would be worth $3,150 without Full Bands and up to $70,000 with the designation. MS67 coins are even more expensive at $4,250 with no Full Bands and up to a mighty $135,000 with the distinction.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money

Rare 1919 Dime Error List

Although the 1919 Mercury dimes are immensely valuable today, they still have their fair share of mint errors. The good news is that these errors actually pull up the price of the dimes, making them even more valuable and profitable when sold today.

1919 Dime Doubled Die Obverse Error

1919 Dime Doubled Die Obverse Error

In 2016, it was discovered that a rare, doubled die variety of the 1919 dime existed. Only ten coins were found to have this doubling error, which is most noticeable in the words “In God We Trust” on the dime’s obverse. Of course, you need to look under a microscope to see it with the naked eye.

Doubling occurs on a coin when the die used to strike it was damaged during the hubbing process. As a result, there are some elements in the design that are misaligned, often creating a double image when the die is struck on a planchet.

This simple error has the power to increase the value of your 1919 dime by a mile. A 1919 VG8 dime, though in very bad shape, was sold for over $2,800 because it had a doubled die obverse.

1919 Dime Struck 10% Off-Center Error

1919 Dime Struck 10% Off-Center Error
Image: coins

When a coin is struck slightly askew, it can cut off some of the design and leave some parts of the planchet blank. This error is called an off-center strike.

A 1919 MS62 dime with Full Bands had once been found struck 10% off-center. It had blank edges on the left side of the obverse. This coin sold for $300.

1919 Dime Uncentered Broadstrike Error

1919 Dime Uncentered Broadstrike Error

Lastly, we have an uncentered broadstrike. Sometimes, when a planchet is poorly positioned on the die collar, the die pushes part of it out of the collar, forcing it to expand and look wider.

This error is sometimes confused with an off-center strike since they look quite similar. But if all the design elements are still found on the coin and no parts look cut off, the coin has an uncentered broadstrike.

This error was found on a 1919 AU50 dime, which sold for almost $100. Without this mint error, it would have been valued today at a measly $28.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Dime Errors Worth Money

Where to Sell Your 1919 Dime ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.

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

1919 Dime FAQs

How much is a dime worth from 1919?

Circulated 1919 Mercury dimes can be valued today anywhere between $2.50 to a little over $50. In about-uncirculated conditions, these dimes are worth around $28 to $200. And in mint-state condition, they can cost up to $3,200 for the finest gems.

1919 dimes with Full Bands, on the other hand, are in a league of their own. For example, an MS66 1919 D dime with a Full Bands designation is worth around a mighty price of $127,500 today!

How much silver is in a 1919 dime?

The silver fineness of the 1919 Mercury dime is quite high at 90%. The remaining 10% of the coin’s composition is made of copper. As with all silver coins, the value of any 1919 is directly tied to the modern-day value of its silver content.

What is the error on the 1919 dime?

There are a bunch of mint errors you might find on a 1919 dime that can increase its value. If you’re lucky, you might come across 1919 dimes with a doubled die obverse, an off-center strike, or an uncentered broadstrike. Read more about these errors in the guide above!

What Mercury Dime is rare?

There are plenty of key dates in the Mercury dime series that are considered quite rare. Some of these include the 1918, 1920, and 1926 dimes. Among those with Full Bands designations, coins struck in 1919 are among the most scarce.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

Similar Posts

One Comment

  1. I have at least 20mercury dimes from 1916though43.several Roosevelt dated 46 through present.several have full bands.1943 (FB) in great condition sparks my interest! I’ve been getting into error coins.i have over 100 error coins.although,due to my health,fighting for my social security, just trying to survive,can u please tell me a honest person out there that I could trust with all my coins.all I ask is a fair price,and being honest.in return,I promise whomever u send my way,eventually will be greatly rewarded. I’m patient,to honest. Do to that,I’ve been scammed several times. I pray 1day,something good will come my way financially. It all ready has family wise.my 2yr old granddaughter Lily. My wife and 3childern. Thx for taking time reading this. I live in Wisconsin.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *