-
Inventory:
OUT OF STOCK
- Product ID: 53168
Checkout
The 1938-D Mercury Dime, graded Extra Fine (XF), is a remarkable example from the final decade of one of America’s most iconic coin series. Officially known as the Winged Liberty Head Dime, this coin is more commonly referred to as the Mercury Dime due to its obverse design, which features Liberty with a winged cap that resembles the Roman god Mercury. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the Mercury Dime series ran from 1916 to 1945 and is widely admired for its artistic beauty and symbolic meaning. The 1938-D, minted at the Denver Mint, is a desirable coin for collectors, particularly in XF condition, where the details of the design remain clear and sharp despite light circulation wear.
The obverse of the 1938-D Mercury Dime features Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought and intellectual liberty. The design, created by Weinman, draws inspiration from classical art, presenting a youthful and graceful Liberty while embodying ideals of progress and enlightenment. Surrounding the portrait is the word "LIBERTY" at the top, with the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" inscribed to the left of Liberty’s neck. The date "1938" appears at the bottom of the coin. In an Extra Fine example, Liberty’s hair and the wings on her cap retain much of their original sharpness, although some slight wear can be observed on the highest points of the design. The overall appearance of the obverse remains crisp, and the delicate details of the portrait continue to stand out, providing a strong visual appeal for collectors.
The reverse of the 1938-D Mercury Dime is just as impressive as the obverse, featuring a fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of authority and collective power. The fasces, a bundle of rods bound together with an axe blade at the top, represents strength through unity and was a powerful symbol during the early 20th century. Flanking the fasces is an olive branch, symbolizing peace, creating a meaningful juxtaposition of power and peace in the design. Encircling the fasces are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" at the top and "ONE DIME" at the bottom, with the Latin motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed along the left side of the fasces. The "D" mintmark, indicating that the coin was struck at the Denver Mint, is located to the right of the fasces. In an XF condition, the reverse design retains much of its detail, with the individual rods of the fasces and the leaves of the olive branch still clearly visible, though slight wear is evident on the highest points of the design. The reverse remains well-preserved, enhancing the overall appeal of the coin.
The Mercury Dime was introduced in 1916 as part of a broader effort by the U.S. Mint to replace the aging Barber coinage designs that had been in circulation since 1892. Adolph A. Weinman’s design was selected for its classical beauty and symbolic meaning, representing the ideals of liberty and democracy. The Mercury Dime was produced through some of the most pivotal moments in American history, including World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. As such, it holds a special place in U.S. numismatic history, not only for its artistic merit but also for its connection to these significant historical events.
The 1938-D Mercury Dime was struck at the Denver Mint, one of the three U.S. mints responsible for producing the series, along with the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. The Denver Mint, which opened in 1906, was a key facility for producing coinage for the western United States. The "D" mintmark on the reverse of the 1938-D Mercury Dime makes it particularly interesting for collectors who focus on mintmark varieties and regional coinage. The total mintage for the 1938-D Mercury Dime was 5,537,000, making it one of the lower mintage issues of the later Mercury Dime series. While not the rarest of the series, its relatively low mintage compared to other years makes it a desirable coin, especially in higher grades like XF.
The mintage of the 1938-D Mercury Dime reflects the ongoing recovery of the U.S. economy during the late 1930s as the country began to emerge from the Great Depression. Coin production was essential for supporting commerce and the everyday needs of Americans, and the Mercury Dime was an integral part of the U.S. monetary system. Many of these dimes saw heavy circulation, making well-preserved examples in grades like XF more valuable to collectors. In Extra Fine condition, the 1938-D Mercury Dime exhibits light wear, primarily on the highest points of the design, but retains much of its original detail and sharpness. The coin’s surfaces may show minor signs of circulation, but the overall appearance is still clean and attractive, making it a desirable addition to any collection.
The 1938-D Mercury Dime in Extra Fine condition is a beautiful and historically significant coin that appeals to collectors of all levels. Its connection to the Denver Mint, its classic design by Adolph A. Weinman, and its relatively low mintage make it a prized piece for collectors. The Mercury Dime series, as a whole, is beloved for its artistry and symbolism, and the 1938-D issue is no exception. Whether collected for its historical importance, its aesthetic appeal, or as part of a complete Mercury Dime collection, the 1938-D Mercury Dime in XF grade stands out as a coin that captures the elegance and strength of early 20th-century U.S. coinage.