Lot 016Coin values
1921 Mercury Dime
PHILADELPHIA · 90% SILVER, 10% COPPER · 1,230,000 STRUCK
Worth about $18–$220 circulated and $2,300–$3,300 in MS-65.
The 1921 Mercury Dime is a key date from the Philadelphia Mint, with 1,230,000 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $18–$220, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $2,300–$3,300. Because this is a key date, condition and authenticity matter far more than metal content: have any high-value coin graded by a recognised service.
A key date with a mintage of 1,230,000. No Mercury dimes were struck at Denver after 1921 until 1923.
1921Philadelphia
Catalogue medallion. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of this exact date and mint, so none is shown rather than one with a different date.
- Mint
- Philadelphia
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Mintage
- 1,230,000
- Weight and size
- 2.5 g · 17.9 mm
- Designer
- Adolph A. Weinman
Scarcer than 97% of the 77 issues in the Mercury series with a recorded mintage. 1,230,000 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.
Full Bands (FB)
Look at the two horizontal bands across the middle of the fasces on the reverse. If both bands are clearly split with a visible gap, the coin is Full Bands and is worth more in Mint State, often several times the price.
Mint mark position
D and S sit on the reverse beside the fasces. A 1916-D without a clean, original D is likely an altered 1916-P: always have a valuable-looking 1916-D authenticated.
Cleaning
Many Mercury dimes were cleaned. Original luster matters.
About the 1921 Mercury
How much is a 1921 Mercury Dime worth?
Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $18–$220 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $2,300–$3,300 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.
Is a 1921 Mercury Dime silver?
Yes. It is 90% silver, 10% copper and weighs 2.5 g, which is 0.0723 troy ounces of pure silver. Its melt value is that weight multiplied by the current silver spot price, shown live on this page.
How many 1921 Mercury Dimes were minted?
1,230,000 were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
Where is the mint mark on a Mercury Dime?
On the reverse, to the left of the fasces, between the E in ONE and the base of the olive branch. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.
Is my 1921 Mercury Dime rare?
Yes. It is a key date. Check the variety notes on this page, look at the date and mint mark under magnification and consider professional grading before selling.
More Mercury Dime values
Where these numbers come from
Mercury dime, Wikipedia: composition, weight, diameter, edge, designer, mint mark position, key date.
Mercury dime mintage, Landofcoins.com: mintage by year and mint.
Lustre editorial grade-value estimates, Lustre: grade value ranges (estimates, not market data).
gold-api.com spot prices (reference level for estimates), gold-api.com: reference spot prices behind the estimates.
How the estimates are made. Facts reviewed Oct 2026.