LUSTRE

Lot 069Coin values

1942-D (2 over 1) Mercury Dime

DENVER (D) · 90% SILVER, 10% COPPER · VARIETY

The answer

Worth about $520⁠–⁠$2,250 circulated and $26,000⁠–⁠$38,000 in MS-65.

The 1942-D (2 over 1) Mercury Dime is a key date from the Denver Mint, with a mintage that is included in a larger issue. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $520⁠–⁠$2,250, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $26,000⁠–⁠$38,000. 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 famous overdate variety struck at Denver.

Included in the 1942-D mintage.

1942-D (2 over 1)Denver (D)

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.

Mercury dime obverse: Winged Liberty head facing left
Mercury dime reverse: fasces with an olive branch
Design reference 1943-D Mercury dime. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit BrandonBigheart, via Wikimedia Commons.
Mint
Denver (D)
Composition
90% silver, 10% copper
Mintage
In larger issue
Weight and size
2.5 g · 17.9 mm
Designer
Adolph A. Weinman
RarityKey date
PlentifulRare

No separate mintage is recorded for this date, so its place on the scale follows its editorial rarity tier.

Value ladder
Varieties to look for

Overdate

The date 1942 shows a faint 1 under the 2.

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.

Questions

About the 1942-D (2 over 1) Mercury

How much is a 1942-D (2 over 1) Mercury Dime worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $520⁠–⁠$2,250 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $26,000⁠–⁠$38,000 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 1942-D (2 over 1) 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 1942-D (2 over 1) Mercury Dimes were minted?

Included in the 1942-D mintage.

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 1942-D (2 over 1) 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.

Neighbouring issues

More Mercury Dime values

All 79 Mercury Dime issues

Sources and method

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.

Circulated$520⁠–⁠$2,250
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