1939 Mercury Dime Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Mercury dimes, officially named Winged Liberty Head dimes, are silver ten-cent coins. Thanks to their complex, elegant, and beautiful design, many collectors consider them the most attractive pieces in American coinage.

Since 1916, when these dimes’ minting began, they became a symbol of America’s new spirit and intellectual independence. Nowadays, the 1939 dime value is almost always higher than its face value. This series includes virtually no worthless coins, primarily thanks to the silver content.

1939 dime value Chart
Condition	1939 No Mint Mark dime	1939 D dime	1939 S dime
Good	$2.82	$2.82	$2.82
Very good	$3.38	$3.38	$3.38
Fine	$3.90	$3.90	$3.90
Very fine	$4.15	$4.15	$4.15
Extra fine	$4.43	$4.43	$5.40
AU	$6.03	$6.27	$14
MS 60	$10.12	$10.12	$27
MS 65	$31	$37	$50
PR 65	$263	/	/

History of the 1939 Liberty Dime

The Mercury dimes appeared in 1916 under the official name Winged Liberty Head dime. This design solution was a winning one among over 50 other creations attending the competition. These coins’ minting lasted until 1945 when the US Mint replaced them with Roosevelt silver dimes.

In other words, these coins were American coinage in the period between two world wars. Interestingly, they depict Lady Liberty on the obverse, but coins became famous under the name of the Roman god, Mercury, because of misunderstanding.

1939 Liberty dimes Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1939 No Mint mark dimes	67,740,000
Philadelphia	1939 proof dimes	9,321
San Francisco	1939 S dimes	10,540,000
Denver	1939 D dimes	24,394,000
Total	/	102,683,321

These coins were so popular that the US Mint decided to commemorate 100 years of the first mintage by releasing 125,000 gold pieces in 2016. It was reported that collectors grabbed the entire mintage within a few minutes.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money

Features of the 1939 Liberty Dime

Adolf A. Weinman designed beautiful Mercury dimes, and the US Mint issued them from late 1916 to the last war year (1945). Thanks to high popularity among Americans, Mercury dimes appeared again in 2016 as gold coins.

The obverse of the 1939 Liberty dime

The 1939 Mercury dime obverse depicts the portrait of Lady Liberty with a beautiful traditional winged cap. This conical cap (the Phrygian cap) is significant as a symbol of freedom of thought in numerous nations, including Persians, Anatolian peoples, and Eastern European peoples, primarily living in the Balkan.

To emphasize the importance of freedom, the author added the word LIBERTY above and a bit behind Liberty’s head. On the left coin side is IN GOD WE TRUST, while the right side is reserved for AW, the Weinman’s initials. The year of mintage, 1939, located below the Liberty’s neck, rounds out the design.

The reverse of the 1939 Liberty dime

The reverse, surrounded with a reeded edge, includes a bundle of fasces wrapped in a leather strap. Lictors in ancient Rome carried these rods with an included axe blade on the top as a symbol of magistrates’ authority and power.

Fasces were added to the coin to symbolize justice and war, but a sizable olive branch around it keeps a balance as an international symbol of peace. The UNITED · STATES · OF · AMERICA * ONE / DIME * frames the entire composition.

Finally, you can see E · PLURIBUS UNUM divided into two rows and placed on the right reverse side. These wise words signify unity in diversity, symbolizing different states united under the auspices of one country.

1939 Liberty dimes Details
Face value	Ten cents ($0.10)
Shape	Round
Compound	0.900 silver with 0.100 copper
Coin thickness	0.053 inches (1.35 mm)
Coin diameter	0.705 inches (17.91 mm)
Coin weight	0.080 troy ounces (2.50 g)
Silver weight	0.072 troy ounces (2.24 g)
Edge	Reeded (118 reeds)

Other features of the 1939 Liberty dime

Winged Liberty Head dimes minted in 1939 are ten-cent coins containing a high percentage of silver. Silver weight is 0.072 troy ounces (2.24 g), or 90% of the total coin weight of 0.080 troy ounces (2.50 g). They are 0.053 inches (1.35 mm) thick and have a diameter of 0.705 inches (17.91 mm).

1939 Mercury Dime Grading

The 1939 Mercury dimes grading includes their appearance, strike evaluation, and possible signs of wear or damage. That way, you can classify them based on a scale grade from one to seventy. The lowest rank for collectible coins is GOOD, while the best ones are ranked from MS 60 to MS 70.

#	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?

1939 Dime Value Guides

The total mintage of the 102,683,321 Mercury dimes came from three mints in 1939. Therefore, you can recognize three different coin types from regular strikes and proofs struck in Philadelphia.

1939 No Mint Mark dime value

Most of the 67,740,000 regular dimes from Philadelphia spent years in circulation, so you can expect them to be inexpensive. The price range for coins in a circulated condition depends on their quality and is $2.82 to $6.03.

Even though these coins are almost 85 years old, they are affordable even in the mint state. So, you can buy one in MS 60 to MS 67 grades for $10.12 to $85. On the other hand, perfectly looked specimens are expensive.

While those ranked MS 68 cost $400 to $450, you can be surprised with the best-graded coin in the set. Rare pieces in MS 69 grade are estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. However, the best price reached at an auction is $6,600.

1939 proof dime Value

Besides regularly struck dimes, the Philadelphia mint released 9,321 coins intended for collectors in 1939. These proofs cost differently, depending on their look and quality, so you can expect to pay:

• 1939 PR 58 dime – $95 to $114
• 1939 PR 60 dime – $100 to $120
• 1939 PR 61 dime – $110 to $132
• 1939 PR 62 dime – $120 to $144
• 1939 PR 63 dime – $130 to $156
• 1939 PR 64 dime – $140 to $161
• 1939 PR 65 dime – $165 to $189.75
• 1939 PR 66 dime – $280 to $322
• 1939 PR 67 dime – $350 to $402.50
• 1939 PR 68 dime – $1,005 to $1,200

Expectedly, specimens with cameo contrast and vivid luster are more expensive. Depending on their budget, collectors are prepared to buy one for:

• $800 to $1,000 (PR 64-graded dime)
• $1,500 to $1,800 (PR 65-graded dime)
• $2,400 to $3,000 (PR 66-graded dime)
• $3,600 to $4,400 (PR 67-graded dime)
• $7,500 to $9,000 (PR 68-graded dime)

Interestingly, the most expensive 1939 PR 68 CAM Mercury dime reached $9,775 at an auction, while one similar coin without such quality was pricier. Its price was $21,600 at an auction in 2021.

1939 D dime Value

In 1939, the Denver mint issued 24,394,000 dimes with the D letter struck on the reverse. While used coins are worth $2.82 to $6.27, you can get about $10.12 to $125 for most pieces in the mint state.

Only MS 68-graded dimes are assessed at $450 to $500. Sometimes, such beautiful coins win more money at auctions, like one specimen sold at $617 in 2014.

1939 S Head dime Value

The 1939 S Mercury silver coins had a mintage of 10,540,000 pieces. Most were released into circulation and are worth $2.82 to $14, depending on time spent in everyday transactions.

Never-used dimes cost $27 to $335 (MS 60 to MS 67), and only those in the highest grade (MS 68) are estimated at $800 to $1,900. The most expensive is the one sold at an auction in 2019 for only a bit higher price, $2,160.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money

Rare 1939 Dime Error List

Regardless of all the efforts the US Mint makes, each coin series includes at least a few more or less expressed errors. As for the 1939 Mercury dimes, you can recognize one variation and five standard errors that make these coins collectible and valuable.

Full Bands

These Mercury dimes are the best-struck pieces you can find. Thanks to clearly distinctive bands, they look as Weinman wanted them to be. Those produced in Philadelphia cost $25 to $825, except almost perfect specimens in MS 68 grade with an assessed price of $4,500 to $6,000.

However, the record auction price from 2000 is $12,650. Similar coins produced in Denver are of the same price in lower grades, but better-ranking ones cost more:

• MS 67 – $160 to $200
• MS 68 – $900 to $1,100
• MS 69 – $8,000 to $10,000

Despite high estimations, the actual auction price for one of the rare survived FB dimes with the MS 69 grade was even higher. One collector purchased it for a fantastic $42,300 in 2019.

The interesting thing about Full Band dimes from San Francisco is that they have the highest estimated prices in the set. For instance, you can buy one for $55 to $1,150 (MS 61 to MS 66), while those graded MS 67 are worth $2,260 to $2,712.

Even though the 1939 S MS 68 FB dime estimation is $12,000 to $18,000, the most expensive was paid significantly lower, $10,350.

Re-punched mint mark

The RPM coin error occurred when the mint worker struck the misplaced mint mark twice. The most significant imperfections of this kind come from Denver, and you should set aside $20 to $25 for one. However, one specimen in MS 65 reached a surprisingly high price on eBay, $2,795.

DDO

This error is typical for the Mercury dime series so you can find those struck in 1939 with such imperfection on the obverse. Doubling is primarily visible on inscriptions and the date, increasing these coins’ price to $40 or even $50. However, auction records are significantly higher, from $500 for MS 66-graded coin to almost $800 for one with Full Bands.

CUD error

When a die piece breaks off, it creates an irregular protrusion on the coin surface. Some dimes with this issue appeared in Philadelphia because of worn-out dies, but only those with the most noticeable imperfection could reach $40 to $45.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Dime Errors Worth Money

Where to Sell Your 1939 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)

FAQ about the 1939 Winged Liberty Head Dime

What makes 1939 Winged Liberty Head dimes rare?

Mercury dimes struck in 1939 are ten-cent coins, but they are often worth more because of their age and the silver percentage they are made of. Besides, some errors, proofs, and impeccable regular coins can bring you a premium.

Which 1939 Winged Liberty Head dimes are worth a lot of money?

• 1939 D MS 69 FB Winged Liberty Head dime reached $42,300 at an auction in 2019
• 1939 PR 68+ Winged Liberty Head dime reached $21,600 at an auction in 2021
• 1939 MS 68 FB Winged Liberty Head dime reached $12,650 at an auction in 2000
• 1939 S MS 68 FB Winged Liberty Head dime reached $10,350 at an auction in 2000
• 1939 PR 68 CAM Winged Liberty Head dime reached $9,775 at an auction in 2004
• 1939 MS 69 Winged Liberty Head dime reached $6,600 at an auction in 2021
• 1939 D MS 65 FB RPM D/D Winged Liberty Head dime reached $2,795 on eBay in 2018
• 1939 S MS 68 Winged Liberty Head dime reached $2,160 at an auction in 2019
• 1939 MS 66 FB DDO Winged Liberty Head dime reached $792 at an auction in 2014
• 1939 D MS 68 Winged Liberty Head dime reached $617 at an auction in 2014
• 1939 MS 67 DDO Winged Liberty Head dime reached $506 at an auction in 2013

How much is the 1939 No Mint Mark Winged Liberty Head dime worth?

Circulated Mercury dimes minted in Philadelphia in 1939 have a price range from $2 to $7. On the other hand, you need to set aside $7 to $360 for most pieces in the mint state. The only exceptions are rare specimens ranked MS 69, which estimated price range is from $6,000 to $7,200.

What are the most expensive Winged Liberty Head dimes?

• 1938 S MS 68+ FB Winged Liberty Head dime (sold in 2019 for $364,250)
• 1931 S MS 67+ FB Winged Liberty Head dime (sold in 2019 for $270,250)
• 1916 D MS 67 Winged Liberty Head dime (sold in 2010 for $207,000)