Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Winged Liberty Head portrait.
Reverse: Fasces with olive branch.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1916-1945 Mercury Dime
Mercury Dime Winged Liberty Head dime series.
Mercury Dime history
The Mercury dime was introduced in 1916 as part of a major artistic redesign of U.S. silver coinage. Adolph A. Weinman’s obverse actually depicts Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought, but the portrait was soon nicknamed “Mercury” because of its resemblance to the Roman god. The reverse shows a fasces and olive branch, combining strength with a desire for peace. The series continued through 1945 and was replaced by the Roosevelt dime in 1946.