1942-D Mercury Dime (Denver) – 90% Silver – WWII Era Issue – Choice Mint State (MS 63 – MS 64 / Radiant Luster & Sharp Strike)

Technical Breakdown & Attribution

• Denomination: 10 Cents / ONE DIME

• Series: Winged Liberty Head / "Mercury" Dime (1916–1945)

• Year of Issue: 1942 (First full year of United States involvement in World War II)

• Mint Facility: Denver Mint (Identified by the distinct D mint mark located on the reverse at the lower left, adjacent to the base of the fasces and left of ONE)

• Mintage: 61,563,000

• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman (Designer monogram AW clearly visible in the lower right field between the date and neck truncation)

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper (.900 Fine Silver)

• Precious Metal Content: 0.07234 Troy Ounces of pure silver

• Original US Mint Specifications:

  • Diameter: 17.9 mm

  • Official Standard Weight: 2.50 grams

• Obverse Design: Winged bust of Liberty facing left, symbolizing freedom of thought, surrounded by "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST", and date 1942.

• Reverse Design: Roman fasces bound with rods and battle-ax intertwined with an olive branch, symbolizing strength through unity and peace, flanked by "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and bordered by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DIME".

Historical Significance & Band Analysis

1. World War II Production: Struck in 1942 during the industrial war mobilization following Pearl Harbor, when the Denver Mint operated around the clock producing coinage to support high-velocity military payrolls and wartime economic expansion.

2. Band Definition (Split Band Evaluation): While the upper and lower horizontal retaining bands on the fasces are fully struck and rounded, the central cross-bands show a tiny bridge of metal softness in the very center groove (typical of Denver business strikes), evaluating technically as a sharp standard MS strike rather than Full Split Bands (non-FB).

3. WWII Variety Awareness: 1942 is famous for the legendary 1942/41-D overdate variety; this piece is a crisp, standard regular-die strike with strong date relief.

Condition & Visual Grade Assessment

• Assigned Technical Grade: Choice Mint State (MS 63 – MS 64 / Radiant Luster & Sharp Strike)

• Preservation Highlights & Surface Profile:

  • Luster & Flash: Brilliant, untoned silvery-white luster with vibrant cartwheel flash spinning across both fields under direct light.

  • Strike & Detail: Crisp, needle-sharp details; Liberty's wing feathers and hair curls display full, distinct definition. The reverse fasces fluting and olive leaves are cleanly executed.

  • Surfaces: Clean, original uncirculated surfaces with no friction or wear; only a couple of minor microscopic bag contacts on the cheek, fully consistent with an MS 63/64 business strike.

  • Rims & Edge: Perfectly intact raised rims and clear, unbroken denticles on both sides without rim bumps or staple scrapes.