The U.S. Mint last month introduced its gold Mercury dime. This short article presents a video and high-resolution photos of the .9999 fine 24-karat gold coin that, for now, is no longer available. The collectible went on back order after about 20 minutes and became unavailable after 40.
The latest available sales figures for the 2016-W Mercury Dime Centennial Gold Coin have its total at 118,741 coins, or 95% of the possible 125,000. The U.S. Mint has not yet announced when it will sell the remaining 6,259 coins.
This 10c gold piece is a 100th anniversary edition of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman’s Winged Liberty Head dime which was composed of 0.900 fine silver and minted for circulation beginning in 1916. Struck at the U.S. Mint in West Point, it’s the first of three 2016-dated gold coins that celebrate the centennial of iconic coin designs, with the other two featuring renditions of the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter and the 1916 Walking Liberty half-dollar.
Before getting to the photos, here is a short video of the gold Mercury dime:
Below are the photos. The first ones show the coin’s obverse or heads side.
The obverse (heads side) offers a portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a winged cap, with the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2016 and the Weinman’s initials, AW. The winged cap started the “Mercury dime” nickname because many mistook Liberty for the Roman god Mercury.
Photo of an encapsulated gold Mercury dime (obverse)
Another photo of an encapsulated gold Mercury dime (obverse)
Another view of the obverse
One more view of the obvserse
Here are some photos of the coin’s reverse or tails side:
The reverse (tails side) shows a Roman fasces and an olive branch, symbolizing America’s military readiness and desire for peace. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, AU 24K, 1/10 oz., ONE DIME, and W to denote its production at the West Point Mint.
Photo of an encapsulated gold Mercury dime (reverse)
Another photo of an encapsulated gold Mercury dime (reverse)
Another view of the reverse
One more view of the reverse
This photo shows the gold Mercury dime’s reeded edge and its raised rim:
A photo of the edge and rim of a 2016-W Mercury Dime Centennial Gold Coin
Finally, these photos show the coin’s packaging box, custom display case, certificate of authenticity and specifications:
Each coin arrives encapsulated and hand packaged in a custom-designed, black–matte hardwood presentation caseOpened case of a 2016-W Mercury Dime Centennial Gold CoinThe packaging includes a Certificate of Authenticity with the back of it offering information about the coin and its specifications
I’m very pleased with my gold mercury dime i received last month. IMO, The U.S. Mint did a great job on the coin. Looking forward to the 24k quarter… 🙂
Danny J. Morano
8 years ago
Thanks alot U.S. Mint for getting my address wrong. I still haven’t gotten my dimes, bought within 15 minutes. It’s now 16 May and unless I get the letter I requested, by the time I get them, I probably won’t get first day of issue or even early release.
I hope they send the letter and NGC grades them First Day of Issue. Thanks alot U.S. Mint.
DrWho7
Marty
8 years ago
Ordered in the first 5 minutes and it is a worst strike I have seen so far. Can’t even see a hint of split bands
joera
8 years ago
I got my coin and it looks great. The capsule had some marks on it and it also looks to have some lint in side it. It makes me wonder if it was one that was sent back to the mint. Oh well it’s what I got and I’m keeping it.
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
Mike Unser –
Thanks for sharing your great photos! I am happy with the 3 I bought, but wish the Mint with all its computer-aided sculpting could have designed it with the original Full Split Bands. Their official statement on the subject doesn’t pass the smell test!
-NumisDudeTX
Dean
8 years ago
I only bought one and the reverse has a very slight strike-through from the obverse. The bottom of Liberty’s cap is faintly visible above the E Pluribus Unum and it looks like hazing (I don’t know what the official term is).
Regardless, I think it’s a nice commemorative and it’ll go nicely with my commemorative collection.
Cheers.
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
Dean –
You might have an error coin that could be worth a premium to error coin collectors. You might want to show it to a coin dealer to check it out.
-NumisDudeTX
RPW
8 years ago
Can anyone confirm the existence of Gold Mercury Dime error coins? I purchased 5 and all appear to be “finned” from what others have described. If thats the case – it seems they are all “errors” making none any more valuable than the rest. But just wondering if any has actually been graded as “error coins”. Any ideas???
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
RPW –
I have not seen any true error gold dimes offered anywhere yet. Of course, dealers & collectors are still submitting them to the grading services very recently so anything is possible. One guy did say he had a debris struck through “error” but I just consider that a damaged coin that got through quality control, unless it was a staple or paper clip I have seen on some other mostly silver or clad coins from the 60s & 70s era mostly.
-NumisDudeTX
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
I find it funny & sad at the same time that the Mint’s press releases & website info mentions that “Mercury” dime is of course an incorrect, wrong term for this coin (even the artist Weinman was upset that some uneducated people in 1916 called it “Mercury”), but the Mint went ahead & used the incorrect term on the official Certificate of Authenticity for this centennial tribute to the Winged Liberty Head dime. So much for historical accuracy!
-NumisDudeTX
RPW
8 years ago
Seth – thanks for the input. I previously decided to never get another coin graded again because I think it only perpetuates “the game” and I hate playing games…..but I reluctantly broke down and sent my Mercs in today to be graded to see if these are in fact “errors”. I purchased my first Gold coin in 2009 (UHR) and thought I was better off NOT getting it graded. Big Mistake because those coins that are graded 70’s (and even some 69) get a much higher price than ungraded coins. As much as I hate the game – sometimes you… Read more »
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
RPW –
You might want to consider sending your 2009 UHR $20 gold coin in to the top grading service PCGS even though it won’t have 1st strike on the label it still would be worth it if it has no real problems with scratches etc. That coin is VERY popular & has the following values in the May issue of Coin World monthly magazine: MS-65 $2,250. MS-69 $2,750. MS-70 $3,250. PCGS graded coins usually bring a premium over the other grading services if you ever have to sell.
Good luck!
-NumisDudeTX
Shawn
8 years ago
I just got my five back from NGC (4) SP70 and (1) SP 69! I am very pleased! Super bands on the reverse! I am not selling none! Also going to try to get 5 of the quarter and half! I love collecting! My daughter can’t wait to come this weekend to see her dad and the gold coin! I think I got her hooked on coins! I have not gotten everything I have tried to purchase from the mint! I did get a 2015 Gold Liberty $100 and it graded a sp70 PL! Wow I was impressed on the… Read more »
Ron
8 years ago
Love mine as well. Sounds like it will be less the. 119,000 production for this one?
Ron,
I also would like to say “I Love my Dimes” but, due to the Mint sending them to the wrong address and my being in the Hospital for 2weeks, I still haven’t gotten them. Mint says, Sorry, should get them soon. Thanks U.S. Mint, I hope you don’t screw up my Gold Quarters and Fifty cent coins along with the other coins I want as their released.
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
The Mint’s latest sales report shows more than 7,000 gold dimes are unsold! I hope those who were not able to get one can soon. I almost feel bad that I got 3.
-NumisDudeTX
Danny J. Morano
8 years ago
TWO of those Dimes are mine! They sent them to the wrong address and I may have to go thru the whole refund, reorder process when all they had to do do is correct ONE NUMBER on my street address. Unacceptable, Totally! Please Mint, correct the error and don’t make me go thru the whole process again.
Mammoth
8 years ago
Meanwhile, the US Mint’s website still lists ‘TBD’ as the release date for the Standing Liberty Quarter & Walking Liberty Half gold commemoratives.
Seth Riesling
8 years ago
Mammoth –
At this rate of debacle after debacle, the Mint’s future is TBD! Lol
In the firm's third collaboration with the United States Mint, Stack's Bowers Galleries has again made numismatic history with their sale of the Historic...
I’m very pleased with my gold mercury dime i received last month. IMO, The U.S. Mint did a great job on the coin. Looking forward to the 24k quarter… 🙂
Thanks alot U.S. Mint for getting my address wrong. I still haven’t gotten my dimes, bought within 15 minutes. It’s now 16 May and unless I get the letter I requested, by the time I get them, I probably won’t get first day of issue or even early release.
I hope they send the letter and NGC grades them First Day of Issue. Thanks alot U.S. Mint.
DrWho7
Ordered in the first 5 minutes and it is a worst strike I have seen so far. Can’t even see a hint of split bands
I got my coin and it looks great. The capsule had some marks on it and it also looks to have some lint in side it. It makes me wonder if it was one that was sent back to the mint. Oh well it’s what I got and I’m keeping it.
Mike Unser –
Thanks for sharing your great photos! I am happy with the 3 I bought, but wish the Mint with all its computer-aided sculpting could have designed it with the original Full Split Bands. Their official statement on the subject doesn’t pass the smell test!
-NumisDudeTX
I only bought one and the reverse has a very slight strike-through from the obverse. The bottom of Liberty’s cap is faintly visible above the E Pluribus Unum and it looks like hazing (I don’t know what the official term is).
Regardless, I think it’s a nice commemorative and it’ll go nicely with my commemorative collection.
Cheers.
Dean –
You might have an error coin that could be worth a premium to error coin collectors. You might want to show it to a coin dealer to check it out.
-NumisDudeTX
Can anyone confirm the existence of Gold Mercury Dime error coins? I purchased 5 and all appear to be “finned” from what others have described. If thats the case – it seems they are all “errors” making none any more valuable than the rest. But just wondering if any has actually been graded as “error coins”. Any ideas???
RPW –
I have not seen any true error gold dimes offered anywhere yet. Of course, dealers & collectors are still submitting them to the grading services very recently so anything is possible. One guy did say he had a debris struck through “error” but I just consider that a damaged coin that got through quality control, unless it was a staple or paper clip I have seen on some other mostly silver or clad coins from the 60s & 70s era mostly.
-NumisDudeTX
I find it funny & sad at the same time that the Mint’s press releases & website info mentions that “Mercury” dime is of course an incorrect, wrong term for this coin (even the artist Weinman was upset that some uneducated people in 1916 called it “Mercury”), but the Mint went ahead & used the incorrect term on the official Certificate of Authenticity for this centennial tribute to the Winged Liberty Head dime. So much for historical accuracy!
-NumisDudeTX
Seth – thanks for the input. I previously decided to never get another coin graded again because I think it only perpetuates “the game” and I hate playing games…..but I reluctantly broke down and sent my Mercs in today to be graded to see if these are in fact “errors”. I purchased my first Gold coin in 2009 (UHR) and thought I was better off NOT getting it graded. Big Mistake because those coins that are graded 70’s (and even some 69) get a much higher price than ungraded coins. As much as I hate the game – sometimes you… Read more »
RPW –
You might want to consider sending your 2009 UHR $20 gold coin in to the top grading service PCGS even though it won’t have 1st strike on the label it still would be worth it if it has no real problems with scratches etc. That coin is VERY popular & has the following values in the May issue of Coin World monthly magazine: MS-65 $2,250. MS-69 $2,750. MS-70 $3,250. PCGS graded coins usually bring a premium over the other grading services if you ever have to sell.
Good luck!
-NumisDudeTX
I just got my five back from NGC (4) SP70 and (1) SP 69! I am very pleased! Super bands on the reverse! I am not selling none! Also going to try to get 5 of the quarter and half! I love collecting! My daughter can’t wait to come this weekend to see her dad and the gold coin! I think I got her hooked on coins! I have not gotten everything I have tried to purchase from the mint! I did get a 2015 Gold Liberty $100 and it graded a sp70 PL! Wow I was impressed on the… Read more »
Love mine as well. Sounds like it will be less the. 119,000 production for this one?
Ron,
I also would like to say “I Love my Dimes” but, due to the Mint sending them to the wrong address and my being in the Hospital for 2weeks, I still haven’t gotten them. Mint says, Sorry, should get them soon. Thanks U.S. Mint, I hope you don’t screw up my Gold Quarters and Fifty cent coins along with the other coins I want as their released.
The Mint’s latest sales report shows more than 7,000 gold dimes are unsold! I hope those who were not able to get one can soon. I almost feel bad that I got 3.
-NumisDudeTX
TWO of those Dimes are mine! They sent them to the wrong address and I may have to go thru the whole refund, reorder process when all they had to do do is correct ONE NUMBER on my street address. Unacceptable, Totally! Please Mint, correct the error and don’t make me go thru the whole process again.
Meanwhile, the US Mint’s website still lists ‘TBD’ as the release date for the Standing Liberty Quarter & Walking Liberty Half gold commemoratives.
Mammoth –
At this rate of debacle after debacle, the Mint’s future is TBD! Lol
-NumisDudeTX