Price Guide for 1916 Dime Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $120.00 – $12,800.00Uncirculated: $20.00 – $29,900.00
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eBayCirculated: $150.00 – $12,749.99Uncirculated: $7,000.00 – $25,245.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $450.00 – $14,500.00Uncirculated: $15,000.00 – $50,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $46,000.00Uncirculated: $0.50 – $8,050.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $202.50Uncirculated: $32.00 – $2,761.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $6.00 – $195.00Uncirculated: $210.00 – $4,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $3,565.00Uncirculated: $1.05 – $4,406.00
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eBayCirculated: $4.54 – $110.00Uncirculated: $26.36 – $850.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $60.00Uncirculated: $65.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $403.00 – $13,800.00Uncirculated: $62.50 – $207,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $320.00 – $12,000.00Uncirculated: $13,000.00 – $100,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10,500.00 – $17,500.00Uncirculated: $18,500.00 – $275,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $458.25Uncirculated: $1.00 – $7,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.00 – $199.00Uncirculated: $33.77 – $595.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $6.00 – $195.00Uncirculated: $210.00 – $13,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $161.00Uncirculated: $0.60 – $1,998.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.00 – $210.50Uncirculated: $18.00 – $815.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $55.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $1,175.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $90.00 – $935.00Uncirculated: $2.00 – $23,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.00Uncirculated: $46.07 – $1,249.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $14,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $36.00 – $495.00Uncirculated: $1.50 – $20,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.50 – $59.00Uncirculated: $33.00 – $7,610.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $55.00Uncirculated: $65.00 – $25,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1916 Dime
The 1916 Dime marks the inaugural year of the Mercury Dime design, replacing the long-running Barber Dime. This new design, featuring Liberty wearing a winged cap, was part of a broader initiative to beautify American coinage. Despite its nickname, the obverse actually depicts a young Liberty, not the Roman god Mercury.
The coin’s introduction coincided with America’s rising prominence on the world stage, as World War I raged in Europe. The Mercury Dime would go on to become one of the most beloved designs in U.S. coinage history.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (no mint mark), D, S |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Winged Liberty Head (Mercury Dime), designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
| Reverse Design | Fasces with an olive branch, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1916 Mercury Dimes significantly impacts their value, especially for the scarcer Denver mint coins. Well-preserved examples with sharp details, full luster, and minimal contact marks command substantial premiums.
The Full Bands (FB) designation is crucial for high-grade specimens. This refers to the complete separation of the bands on the fasces on the reverse. Coins with Full Bands are considerably rarer and more valuable.
Toning can also affect value, with attractive, natural toning often enhancing a coin’s appeal to collectors.
Mintage: 22,180,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to first year of issue
Mintage: 264,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to key date status and first year of issue
Mintage: 10,450,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High, due to first year of issue
As the first year of issue, 1916 Mercury Dimes hold special appeal for collectors, often commanding a premium over later dates in similar condition. The Denver mint coins, with their low mintage, are particularly sought after.
Strike quality varies among the different mints, with Philadelphia generally producing the sharpest strikes. Well-struck coins with crisp details are more desirable.
While not as rare as some later dates in the series, high-grade 1916 Mercury Dimes remain challenging to find, especially with Full Bands. This scarcity in top grades, combined with the historical significance of the first year of issue, maintains strong collector interest and value for these coins.
