Celebrating one of the most iconic coin designs in American numismatic history, the U.S. Mint is selling the 2016-W Mercury Dime Centennial 1/10 Ounce Gold Coin at noon ET today, April 21. The commemorative appears 100 years after the original Mercury dime was first issued.
Adolph A. Weinman’s representation of Winged Liberty is featured on the obverse with his Roman fasces and olive branch image gracing the reverse. It was the winged cap that started the "Mercury dime" nickname as many mistook Liberty for the Roman god Mercury.
Unlike its century-old predecessor that was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, this new collectible is composed in .9999 fine 24-karat gold with a business strike finish. Read our earlier article to learn more about the specification differences between the two coins.
Ordering
Limited to 125,000, those interested the gold Mercury dime can order up to 10 of them from the U.S. Mint’s website. The coin’s product page is right here. Initial pricing is $205.00. That price is subject to change weekly based on market fluctuations and the Mint’s pricing matrix.
The centennial Mercury dime is one of three coins to be issued this year that celebrates the 1916 renaissance in American coinage. Standing Liberty and Walking Liberty Centennial Gold Coins will debut later in the year.
Update: The U.S. Mint will provide information about the first day of sales on Friday morning, April 22.
Once again the Mint has blown it by establishing a way too high 10 household limit on a coin that it should well have known would be in heavy demand. This tees it up for individuals, dealers and surrogates of dealers to consume the entire inventory within an hour or two of the coin going on sale and before people that work for a living can get online later in the day to have a shot at buying even one coin. This is not the first time a sellout like this, aided and abetted by the Mint’s overly-generous household limits,… Read more »
I could not get through on two different computers! I finally got in on my phone! Ordered 5 coins by 12:05! Got lucky! Didn’t see anyone comment they ordered 10! The Mike (hsn) probably secured 20%! There’s no way they sold that many in an hour
Based on the mintage & past sales # maybe a 5 household limit would have been wiser. They are striking more & in the long run it will be better than the JFK AU, but shouldn’t they have made this a 2o16-D for fun. The mint doesn’t care as this allows the big boy$ to snap up everything, cherry pik 70’s & send the crapolo back for the lemmings……
I got my order in at 12:06 no problem. Order confirmed a couple hours later. In “processing mode” right now. Some people are saying it is sold out?
I signed in the website at 9 am pacific time. My initial attempts to go to the order page resulted in the webpage rebooting me out, after refreshing, I was able to order a coin. At checkout, I was rebooted out one time, but on refreshing, I was able to complete my order at 9:10 am. Order is now in processing status.
Work got in the way got the way for me. 45mins after opening everything they had in stock plus everything they expected for backorder was gone. If that was all 125K then they are all gone. Oh well guess there is a reason I haven’t bought coins for years now. I like the mercury dime too.
I am curious to see how much Mike “Sold Out, Limited Edition” Mezack will be hawking them for.
For a 2016-W Gold Dime, ebay item #262398924380 sold for $395 this morning April 21, 2016 @ 10:13AM. $395/$205 is 92.7% instant profit.
I do not like Donald Trump however, there is a phrase he says that the Federal Government needs to hear, loud and clear and the United States Mint especially: Ladies and Gentlemen: I’m giving all of you to the count of 10 to clear out your offices faster than a New York minute because the Federal Government is terminated. You’re fired because of violations in your now, former employment.
Oh yeah! I will be keeping all 5 coins! I never sell a coin! Not til retirement age! That’s 22 years away for me! I have done good threw the US mint! I have to thank god for all this help in this tough mint process! I wish it was just the collectors buying and placing them in their collections! I bought the 2015 $100 gold Liberty coin and had it graded and got back a ms70 pl! Still wouldn’t sell it today! It’s one of my prizes in my collection! I also was at the money show for the… Read more »
Tune in HSN 2 AM to see what Mike M. will be selling them for.
2 AM Sunday April 24 that is.
Individual hobbyist here… I bought ten… Two friends did not get theirs, so I will sell at cost to them… I will line all ten up, pick the best five and send for grading to pcgs … sell remaining three at some sort of profit… but if they all look great, I will have eight graded. I had no problem with on-line purchase.
I really did not expect this coin to sell out within an hour. I knew it would sell out but not at all as fast as it did. Even though it had a high mintage it was the high house hold limit that made the fast sell out possible. I’m glad I decided to order it when I did while I was eating at TACO BELL. LOL Another thing I did not expect was how much people are paying for this 1/10 oz. gold coin. The $395 that someone paid for one 1/10 oz. Mercury Gold Dime could have been… Read more »
I got rebooted several times during the ordering process but I finally got through.
Beautiful tribute to the Mercury dime, but couldn’t the mint do a better job on some full split bands. They could have designed some nice full round split bands.
I was hoping for split band perfection, since Merc collectors pay a premium for such coins. I just saw what appears to be a real photo of the piece on Ebay, and those bands look flat. A missed opportunity.
I have a feeling some of the sellers preselling MS70 of these coins might be over selling. They are likely using proof or burnished estimates but these are business strikes so the higher grades might actually be scarcer then they think. These coins are being handled like proofs but the minting process is business so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a shortage of both MS70 and MS69 driving prices up once people start getting their coins back from grading. Any proof like coins that may appear will also go up and up, IMO. If you mess around and end… Read more »
PS, Even the graders are offering a SP grade for this coin which means they are not paying attention to fact this is a business strike yet. Either that or demand for the SP designation was high enough to make them not care. Let’s hope they do not lower standards to achieve a demand for MS70 and we actually get a rare coin at MS70 due to real and high standards.
Why do I have a feeling some of these Mercs were held back by the mint for a three coin set of all the 1916 anniversary coins later this year?
remember last year C&C sets ?
Truman —1st one price shoot 3x, ike —–2nd shoot 2x , JFK stunned near at same , johnson last one — 5-10% discount
in this pattern , it show mercury gold dime owner will be winner, but not much as we thought 300% +
MS 70 ??? , it might be possible ,because it struck on 24k,gold metal ,it is easy to
make perfect strike on it.
With a household limit of 10, it’s easy to see how these sold out in less than 45 minutes. The vast majority of buyers (dealers, flippers, etc.) bought 10 (or multiples of 10 with different addresses). There was somebody on eBay selling 40 coins. Plus, the dealers all had their buyers lined up, and let’s not forget HSN. I’m surprised it took 45 minutes to sell out! Let’s hope the household limit on the remaining two coins is more sensible. But, then again, as we all know, this was done for the dealers.
I have yet to see my coins yet but base previous comments on similar coin program, 2 coin 2014 Kennedy half anniversary. Both business strikes. Both handled for collectors. Both, I think, double struck. There are 0 MS70’s for the Kennedys on PCGS price chart.
In summery? People will collect boxes of 10 and hold them. It is an attractive investment for gold investors and coin collectors who understand the value of a first strike label. It is one ounce, nice and round for gold investors. For every one collector who wants one coin their is 2 who want an ounce worth of these coins. There is a reason the 1/10 eagle always sells high volume over 1/4 and 1 oz. Everyone can afford them. 125k is very limited when you account for all the appeal of this coin. The next two coins will sell… Read more »
I wanted one badly. Then I saw it was smaller in diameter than a normal dime. Forget it. Originally I thought, like the JFK gold did NOT, these would hold their value. But now I am thinking otherwise. Ungraded on ebay will likely be less expensive if gold stays or drops.
Andrew – You are right that the Mint calls these gold dimes business strikes/Uncirculated coins. But they did say early on they are struck twice. But NGC is grading them as specimen strikes with the SP-70 etc grade. MCM in Sarasota, Florida where NGC is located is selling the SP-70 graded coins at $399 with free shipping today & a choice of 5 different labels. I wonder if PCGS will grade them as SP or MS coins? Mike Unser – Interesting that you find your inquiry to Michael White at the Mint as basically “curious.” What information are they hiding… Read more »
I think with mintages as high as they are the market will drop soon and prices will normalize. With minting techniques theres going to be tons of ms70 coins. Sure you might be able to get a label thats rarer than others w/ grading but then you gotta find a person who wants the label rather than the coin at a high premium. And theyll never be rare because most of the 125000 will be put away in safes and deposit boxes. Prices will level off after the finite number of people willing to pay enormous premiums runs out
Andrew –
I just found out that PCGS will grade these with the proper numismatic term as Mint State coins as the Mint calls them regular business strikes with no special finish. PCGS will offer a special centennial label. PCGS is usually right, which is why most coins graded by them bring a premium in the marketplace.
-NumisDudeTX
I only wanted one.
Why are there production limits on a historic coin? There are over 300 Million Americans and they set the limit at 125,000.
The US Mint, of the dealer, by the dealer, for the dealer.
I was considering ordering my coins after I got home from work, but decided to log on to the Mint website from my car using my laptop and tablet and thank goodness I did. I was able to order multiples of one coin.
I went to check my order on the website and on the total cost it only has the shipping cost of $4.95 down. It does show the Dime and it’s cost in one column but on the total cost column it has it down as $0.00 and just has the shipping’s $4.95 down as the total cost. I don’t remember past orders being like this. Does anybody else have it like that or has my memory gone bad? lol Another thing I notice was on Thursday on my on-line bank statement the mint had taken that total shipping cost, $4.95,… Read more »
Joe#2 and Christopher Williams, Glad that you both have an order that was “shipped”. Can you please tell us when, what time, your orders went thru? We are getting more information about this issue. Now seems apparent that the mint did not have all ready to be shipped when orders were allowed (the last three orders I had were shipped either day of or day after order). Further, doubt they can blame volume as reason since hundreds of thousands of proof sets can be sent (shipped) on one day. Still believe that they should mint such issues as this one… Read more »
My order was taken at 12:05 and I got my email confirmation at 12:08! Then at 12:59 I got my second email showing my order # and detail! Still no shipping email yet Saturday at 12:52 pm EST
joera – What you noticed on your Mint account page is correct for backorder items. The Mint puts through a “test” approval charge for the shipping cost just to make sure your credit card is a valid one, but they don’t charge the total cost of coins & shipping & handling till.the day the order ships. I hear from others that the expected backorder date is May 6. FYI CoinNews readers, Representatives at the Mint’s outside call center in Texas have told me this coin did not sell out totally on day one, but they sold all coins that were… Read more »
@Chuck-
The interesting thing is that my second order is the one that shows “Shipped.”
My first and third orders are still “Processing.”
My orders were all placed within the first five (5) minutes.
Christopher Williams,
Thank you for your reply.
Seth Riesling,
Have you received notice that your order was “shipped”?
If so when (what time) was your order accepted?
Also, was wondering whether an expedited shipping accepted order is (might be) processed faster even if it is after another accepted order.
Thank you.
Chuck – My 3 coins shipped on Friday evening. Yes, expedited shipping gets your order ahead of others for shipping, but only on coins available for immediate shipments. I have ordered at a few minutes after noon on first day issue coins & always pay the $20.95 Next Day UPS by 10:30am with adult signature required option & usually get the orders the next morning. I even placed an order once for some regular coins & coin sets during a non-busy period for them (no new issues that week) already issued earlier in the year at around 2pm & received… Read more »
Chuck –
I forgot to add that my order was accepted at 12:07 & of course the expedited UPS shipping is for business days only (no Saturday or Sunday delivery) so I should have them by Monday morning.
-NumisDudeTX
Chuck-
I wanted to use Expedited Shipping also, but I was afraid taking that “extra step” might screw-up my ordering process.
Reading about all of the other hiccups during the ordering process, I feel lucky that I didn’t encounter one hiccup when I placed all three of my orders (separately).
Chuck –
I might also add that PFSweb Corp of Dallas is the fairly new private vendor that operates the Mint’s call center in Texas & fulfillment center warehouse in Tennessee. They have a 4-year government contract & can’t be fired except for gross negligence. PFSweb offered to update & ovethaul the Mint’s 10 year old outdated website for free to get that contract. The call center & warehouse employees are not U.S. Mint or government employees either so G-D only knows what “rules” they may break unknowingly. Orders are supposed to be first in, first out.
-NumisDudeTX
Seth Riesling, Thank you for your response and sharing. This helps explain, to me, why some always seem to get, among other things, coins graded so fast. I was always concerned about doing a shipping upgrade as it adds another step. Since I seem to be “kicked off” before completing a regular “hot” order, always thought this would just cause another problem. Since I’m not interested in having coins graded or flipping them never considered this option worth while. You and others, including perhaps, Christopher Williams must have a special way to insure you do not get “kicked out” when… Read more »
Chuck – You are welcome. I enjoy sharing info & learning from others who post comments here too. I am not a computer expert & have no secert on ordering. But my mother is a retired retail management district manager & she has an older laptop that she had everything about her business removed from it by a computer guy. She only uses it for small things a few times a week so I asked her to bring it over once on the day last year when the first Coin & Chronicles set was issued & I have Wi-Fi (but… Read more »
Sid Riesling: Thanks for the reply on my post about my order history just showing the shipping cost. I did not think my order was on back order because it shows as “Processing” instead of “back order.” I enjoy reading this website with all the information it provides. But I also enjoy reading all the comments. And especially your comments. They help as much as the writers on this website. Really, your comments might provide as much information or even more. The writers do a great job here but you answer more questions than the writers or anybody else. Heck… Read more »
joera – You are welcome. Thanks for your kind comments! I worked for the largest private coin business in the world, Heritage in Dallas in 1990 as their Public Relations Manager during a transitional period of great growth for them & learned a lot (German is my second language since I lived there for 3 years) & they had a office in Germany with a top numismatist who I assisted during high volume periods such as the annual World Money Show in Berlin, Germany. I have a degree in English from the University of Texas & enjoy sharing my lifetime… Read more »
I got my order of 10 in at about 5 minutes after noon, and got my confirmation email about 45 minutes later, I had to restore the website a few times, but besides that no problems. I took a half vacation day so I could be home to place my order. I knew this would be a quick sell out so I made arrangements so I could get my order in. Those that didn’t and are bitching about it now should have planned better.
David-
That was a very smart move. Initially I was going to purchase mine after work, but decide to log on to the US Mint site in my car where I carry my laptop and tablet.
I was lucky.
Christopher Williams – Mike “sold out, limited edition, exclusive to us at HSN” Mezack was on HSN early this morning from 1am to 2am CT saying he has 1,000 of the gold Mercury dimes & that the Mint sold out of all 125,000 coins in 16 minutes!, which is a lie since even the Mint has not released any sales figures or sell out statement. He said he would offer them on HSNs website at noon on this Wednesday with free shipping, but wouldn’t give a price. It won’t be on tv on Wednesday on HSN, but on their website… Read more »
Seth-
Thanks for that info.
I DVR’d the show, but haven’t viewed it yet.
So he’s got 1,000 of the new “2016 Mercury Gold Dimes.”
Makes me sick!!!!
I might buy one and then return it, just to leave a Feedback Comment…
Nah. But I would love to.
Christopher Williams –
I too thought of ordering something once from MM on HSN & making a fuss by returning it, but didn’t want to waste my money since i read they don’t refund S&H cost on returns. Would love to e-mail him, but he isn’t a HSN employee, just a vendor, so they don’t have a e-mail listed for him. G-D will get him someday for his numismatic sins! Have you ever noticed his horrible orange fake tan!? Lol
Happy collecting Mr. Williams!
-NumisDudeTX
Seth-
1,000 “Mercury Gold Dimes.”
Seth, do you think he had others buyers making purchases for him or “something” else?
His prices will be insane!!!!
What a GREAT DEAL!!! FREE SHIPPING!! LOL Oh and even better was “his” own set of American Silver Dollars graded 70 for…. $100,000.00!!! And he said it is the only set he knows of like that. I looked on eBay and found two, TWO! I’m not sure but I think one was $9,000.00. While watching I kept telling my wife, “That’s not true!” My wife then asked me, “How can he be on TV and lie like that?” lol, I told her, “He’s on Teeee Veeee!” I don’t even know why I watch that B.S… I guess because it’s sooo… Read more »
Christopher Williams & joera –
I just posted a long comment on this CoinNews blog site in the most recent article Mike Unser did on Friday if you would like to read the explanation of how Mezack operates.
Thanks guys.
-NumisDudeTX