JarSort · Inherited coin values

Mercury dime value

Mercury dimes (1916–1945) are 90% silver, and almost every circulated common-date example is worth its metal: 0.0723 troy ounces of silver, or $3.89 at the Oct 24, 2026 spot price of $53.80 per ounce. Common dates sell for $4.10–$4.50. But before you sell any Mercury dime as a common coin, check the date and mint mark — one of them is worth $1,000 or more.

The three numbers that matter

Prices as of Oct 24, 2026 · Silver spot $53.80/ozt (Kitco) · Circulated, common date, problem-free, raw (uncertified) unless stated

Melt floor

$3.89

0.0723 ozt silver × $53.80/ozt spot.

Recent sold range

$4.10–$4.50

Typical dealer asking prices, Oct 2026 (APMEX and JM Bullion 90% Mercury bag math, both $4.10/dime).

Dealer might pay

~$2.90–$3.50

Estimate inferred at 75–90% of melt — not a firm bid.

NGC melt $3.90 on Oct 24, 2026 (2:50 PM EST) cross-checks the $3.89 figure. All figures Oct 24, 2026.

Check for the 1916-D before you sell

The 1916-D Mercury dime is worth $1,000+ and is not in the $4.10–$4.50 range. Check the date and the mint mark (a small D below the date, on the reverse near the bottom). Other scarce dates exist too. If the date is 1916 with a D, or the coin looks unusually well-struck for its wear, get it certified before selling — a wrong “common” call on a key date is a hundred-fold error.

How to tell a silver dime from a clad one

All Mercury dimes (1916–1945) are silver. Roosevelt dimes dated 1964 or earlier are silver too; from 1965 they are clad and worth ten cents. The edge test works for both: solid silver edge means silver, a copper stripe means clad.

Do not clean your coins. Cleaning is the fastest way to destroy collector value — a polished coin can lose half its worth instantly, and no cleaning can be undone. Handle coins by the edges, keep them dry, and leave toning and dullness exactly as they are.

Sort your jar free — 3 free scansGuided identification, three sourced prices per coin, and a dealer sheet to take to two dealers.

No signup wall for your first coin. No AI photo recognition is claimed or used — you confirm year and mint mark yourself.