The Mercury Dime was introduced in 1916 during a period of change for American coinage. Efforts were underway to replace older designs with artwork that better reflected the nations growing appreciation for artistic excellence. This era also produced famous coins such as the Lincoln Cent, Buffalo Nickel, and Walking Liberty Half Dollar. To celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, the US Mint unveiled the Best of the Mint Series, honoring five of the most recognized coin designs in the countrys history. Today, 1916 Mercury Dime Gold Coin and Silver Medal Sets in perfect condition are available at BGASC.

Highlights:

• Comes with individual plastic slabs and an America250 label!
• 1st release in the Best of the Mint Series!
• Features a 1/10 oz gold coin and 1 oz silver medal!
• America 250 Liberty Bell privy on the Gold Mercury Dime!
• Limited original mintage of only 30,000 sets!
• Contains 1/10 troy oz of .9999 pure gold and 1 troy oz of .999 pure silver.
• The face value of the Mercury Dime is $.10 (USD).
• Graded Mint State 70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
• Winged Liberty and Roman fasces on the Mercury Dime.
• Lady Liberty and scenes from America between 1916 and 1945 on the silver medal.

All 1916 Mercury Dime Gold Coin and Silver Medal Sets available in this listing are certified Mint State 70. The gold coin and silver medal are individually encapsulated in slabs featuring an America250 label. Mint State 70 examples display complete mint luster with no visible flaws. This set represents the first release in the Best of the Mint Series. Additional releases will focus on the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, 1804 Silver Dollar, and 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief Liberty Gold Coin.

Mercury Dime

On the obverse of the Mercury Dime Gold Coin is a portrait of Liberty wearing a winged cap. Created by Adolph A. Weinman, the design became widely known as the Mercury Dime because many observers associated the winged cap with Mercury from Roman mythology. Even after more than a century, the nickname remains attached to the coin. On the reverse of the Mercury Dime Gold Coin is the traditional fasces design accompanied by an olive branch. The fasces serves as a symbol of collective strength and authority, while the olive branch represents peace. Together, the elements create one of the most familiar reverse designs in American coin collecting.

Silver Medal

The accompanying Silver Medal features a design that extends from the obverse to the reverse. The imagery reflects the nations experiences between 1916 and 1945, including wartime service and economic hardship. Liberty appears with characteristics representing both defense and action, while the reverse references events such as the Great Depression, Hoovervilles, and the Dust Bowl.

History

The Mercury Dime emerged from President Theodore Roosevelts campaign to improve the design quality of American money. After new designs were introduced for several gold coin denominations, attention shifted to the silver coins most frequently used in daily commerce. In 1915, sculptor Adolph A. Weinman was chosen by the US Mint to redesign the dime and half dollar.

Ordering

If you would like more information about this set, please contact BGASC. Our customer service team can be reached by phone at 888-992-4272 or through our online email service.