Got a collection of old silver coins? Look for this precious 1942 Mercury dime with Liberty profile on the front! This rare coin is selling for thousands of dollars in the market today! In fact, one 1942 FB dime sold for a mind-boggling price of $120,000!
So what are you waiting for? Find out in this price guide all the valuable features worth money that your old 1942 dime could be hiding!
Interest History of a 1942 Mercury Dime
The 1942 Mercury Dime, part of the series designed by Adolph A. Weinman that ran from 1916-1945, holds a special place in American commerce as it was produced during World War II when silver coinage was crucial.
Commonly called the “Mercury” Dime, the obverse actually features Liberty wearing a winged cap and the reverse shows a fasces (bundle of rods) with an olive branch.
The U.S. Mint produced these dimes at three facilities in 1942: Philadelphia (no mint mark) Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The collective high mintage of these coins reflected the strong demand for coinage. This dime remained in circulated until 1946, when it was replaced by the Roosevelt Dime series.
The year 1942 is particularly notable for producing two of the most famous dime varieties: the 1942/1 and 1942/1-D overdates. These errors occurred when dies from 1941 were reformed with the 1942 date, creating highly collectible varieties.
In today’s market, common 1942 Mercury Dimes can fetch extremely stunning amounts, especially for rare dimes!
| 1942 Mercury Dime | Key Facts |
| Coin Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Year of Minting | 1942 |
| Weight | 2.268 g |
| Diameter | 17.91 mm (0.705 in) |
| Thickness | 1.35 mm (0.053 in) |
| Designer | Adolph Weinman |
| Face Value | $0.10 (10 cents) |
| Mint Marks | D – Denver Mint S – San Francisco Mint P (no mint mark) – Philadelphia Mint |
| Total Mintage | 315,472,329 coins |
Identifying a Real 1942 Silver Dime
Before assessing the value, it is crucial to verify if a 1942 Mercury silver dime is genuine by spotting its unique features, compositions, and other physical features.
1942 Mercury Dime Obverse:
- A left-facing portrait of goddess Liberty wearing a winged cap
- “LIBERTY” along the upper rim
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” in front of Liberty’s neck
- Clearly marked “1942” below the truncation line
1942 Mercury Dime Reverse:
- A bundle of sticks, called a fasces, at the center
- Olive branches across the faces
- “UNITED.STATES.OF.AMERICA/ONE.DIME” written along the coin’s rim
- The mint mark D or S, if present, in front of “E” of “ONE” at the bottom to the fasces’ left
Coin Composition, Weight, and Size
The 1942 Mercury Dime is a highly prized silver coin, made from a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. This blend of metals gives it intrinsic value, especially with the rising prices of silver over the years.
When it comes to size, the 1942 Mercury Dime is compact, with a weight of just 2.5 grams. Its small stature—measuring 17.9 mm in diameter (about 0.705 inches) and 1.35 mm (0.053 inches) in thickness gives it a fine, lightweight feel. This coin is distinguished by its well-reeded edge with 118 reeds.
To ensure your old 1942 dime is silver, verify the above details by measuring your coins precisely. You can also perform a magnet test; real silver coins aren’t magnetic.
How Much Is a 1942 Dime Worth (3 Key Factors)
Depending on several factors, including its condition, mint mark, and any errors, the average value of a 1942 Mercury Dime in the circulated condition is about $2 to $10 due to its silver content and $500 to a whopping $120,000 in uncirculated state!
1. 1942 Mercury Dime Mint Marks & Mintage
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1942 No Mint Mark Dime Value | 1942 D Dime Value | 1942 S Dime Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | $1 – $2 | $1 – $3 | $1 – $4 |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (MS60) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | $5 – $12 | $6 – $10 | $6 – $12 |
| Mint State (MS61 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $12 – $35 | $10 – $17 | $12 – $20 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $30 – $80 | $15 – $60 | $20 – $70+ |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $60 – $220+ | $50 – $200+ | $70 – $200+ |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | $400 – $4,800+ | $350 – $650+ | $250 – $1,050+ |
The total mintage of over 315 million coins makes the 1942 dime slightly common in the market. However, specific coins struck at different mint facilities with unique mink marks differ in rarity as well as value.
1942 No Mint Mark Dime Value (Mintage – 205,410,000)
The Philadelphia Mint produced most Mercury dimes in 1942, identified by no mint mark. These coins are moderately collectible today, with values ranging from $4 to $15 in circulated state.
An uncirculated 1942 no mint mark dime can fetch $12-200, with high-grade examples, like MS68 or above reaching $1,000 to $4,500 or more, like this example sold for $4,800 at Heritage Auctions!
Some 1942-P Mercury dimes exhibit a “Full Band,” i.e., the clear, uninterrupted bands around the fasces on the reverse. FB 1942 no mint mark dimes can fetch $70 to $500 in MS66 to MS67 grades, while MS68 examples can reach $1,200 to $2,800!
1942 D Mercury Dime Value (Mintage – 60,740,000)
The Denver Mint produced fewer 1942 Mercury dimes with the D mint mark, but surprisingly, these coins are less valuable than Philadelphia dimes. In average condition, a 1942 D dime can fetch $3 to $10, while in mint condition, the values range from $10 to $650 in MS60 to MS68 grades.
The 1942-D FB dime can be worth slightly more, with values ranging from $20 to $2,000 in uncirculated state.
1942 S Mercury Dime Value (Mintage – 49,300,000)
The San Francisco minted around 49.3 million 1942 Mercury dimes with an S mint mark. Despite the lowest mintage, the average value of a 1942 S dime is typically lower than 1942 no mint mark coins and somewhat similar to the D mint mark dimes.
In particular, circulated 1942 S Mercury dimes are worth $4 to $10, while uncirculated coins range from $12 to $1,100 or more. The Full Band variety of these coins often ranges from $20 to $480 in MS62 to MS67 grades, while MS67+ or higher examples are worth $1,000 to $6,500 or more. For example, this MS68FB example sold for $6,600 on Heritage Auctions!
3. 1942 Mercury Dime Proof Strike
Apart from regular dimes, the Philadelphia Mint also released special proof coins in 1942 for coin collectors. These coins don’t bear any mint mark but feature a unique reflective proof finish that distinguishes them and makes them way more valuable than business strikes!
A standard 1942 Dime proof coin is typically worth $100 to $5,000 in PR60 to PR68+ grades, while PR69 and above grades can fetch exceptional prices of $15,000 to $37,000 or more, like this PR69 example that was bought on Heritage Auctions for an auction record price of $37,600!
Here is a quick price chart of a 1942 Mercury Dime Proof coin:
- PR65: $120-220
- PR66: $160-480
- PR67: $220-780
- PR68: $800-4,400
- PR69: $15,000-37,600+
Besides, some proof coins may exhibit a sharp contrast (known as Cameo/Deep Cameo) between the frosted raised designs and mirror-like backgrounds on both sides. Due to its unique appearance, Cameo 1942 Dime proof examples can be valuable.
4. Rare 1942 Mercury Dime Errors
The following mint errors can significantly increase an average 1942 dime value:
1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime
The 1942/1 Overdate (Philadelphia) is one of the most famous Mercury Dime errors, created when a 1941 die was repunched with a 1942 date, leaving visible remnants of the “1” beneath the “2.”
These 1942 dime error coins fetch premium prices ranging from $300-500 in Good condition, $500-2,500 in Fine to XF, and $4,000-76,000 in uncirculated grades. The most expensive 1942/1 Mercury Dime in MS66FB grade was sold for an eye-popping price of $120,000 at Heritage Auctions!
1942/1-D Overdate Mercury Dime
The 1942/1-D (Denver) Overdate is even rarer than its Philadelphia counterpart and more valuable. The overdate characteristics are similar but accompanied by the “D” mint mark on the reverse.
Recent auction data shows this selling for $500-800 in Good condition, $3,000-5,000 in Fine to XF, and $4,000-15,000 in uncirculated grades, with MS66 or higher examples fetching $20,000 to $73,000 or more, like this MS66+FB example sold for $73,437 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions!
Off-center Strike Error
Off-center strikes on 1942 Mercury Dimes occur when the planchet is misaligned between the dies. This results in a part of the design missing from the coin. The values of off-center 1942 dimes vary based on percentage off-center and data visibility.
For example, minor 10-20% off-centers fetching $100-200, and dramatic 50%+ off-centers with full dates reaching $500-1,000 or more. This MS65FB 1942 dime with 50% off-center sold for $1,320 in a coin auction in 2022!
Struck on Ecuador Five Centavos Planchet
The 1942 Mercury Dime struck on an Ecuador Five Centavos planchet is an extremely rare wrong planchet error. This rare coin appears golden instead of silvery in color and also has a slightly different size and weight from normal dimes. An MS65FB example of this coin sold for over $14,370 on Heritage Auctions, which is an extraordinary price for this grade.
