Introduced in 1916, the Mercury Dime marked the end of the Barber Dime series, which had reached its mandated 25-year minimum. Although commonly known by its nickname, the coin’s official designation is the Winged Liberty Head Dime. Its design was created by Adolph A. Weinman, who won a competition to develop new imagery for American circulating coinage. This 1937-S Mercury Dime has a superior MS67+ certification with an FB designation.
The 1937-S Mercury Dime from San Francisco saw extensive circulation primarily throughout the western United States, where San Francisco Mint coins predominantly entered commerce. Many of these dimes remained in active use through World War II and into the postwar period, gradually wearing down through countless transactions. Today, heavily circulated examples are common, but coins that escaped extensive wear and retained their mint luster are significantly more valuable to collectors.
The 1937-S Mercury Dime available here has a superior Mint State 67+ grade, indicating it is among the best examples of an MS67 specimen. The FB designation stands for Full Bands and refers to the strong, crisp strike on the reverse bands on the faces. Each one appears fully separated with no breaks or abrasions. This coin has a gleaming frost with lively luster across both sides.
The obverse of the 1937-S Mercury Dime shows a youthful Liberty facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap intended to represent freedom of thought. Weinman’s design is admired for its refined details, such as Liberty’s flowing hair and the intricate feathering of the cap. “LIBERTY” is inscribed along the outer edge, with “IN GOD WE TRUST” placed near the neck and the date appearing below.
On the reverse, the 1937-S Mercury Dime features a Roman fasces symbolizing unity and strength through the binding of individual states. An olive branch rests across the fasces, representing peaceful intent in balance with strength. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “ONE DIME” frame the design, reinforcing its significance during the wartime period.
