On September 26, 1890, the United States Congress passed an act providing: The Mercury dime was minted again but in gold for its centenary in 2016. The coin continued to be minted until 1945, when the Treasury ordered that a new design, featuring recently deceased president Franklin Roosevelt, take its place. Weinman's designs for the dime and half dollar were selected.Īlthough the new coin's design was admired for its beauty, the Mint made modifications to it upon learning that vending machine manufacturers were having difficulties making the new dime work in their devices.

Mint officials were under the misapprehension that the designs had to be changed, and held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his position for 36 years, also took part. Barber had been struck for 25 years, and could be replaced by the Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, without Congressional authorization. The coin's reverse depicts a fasces, symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace.īy 1916, the dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Weinman is believed to have used Elsie Stevens, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens, as a model. Designed by Adolph Weinman and also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, it gained its common name because the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury. The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from late 1916 to 1945. Philadelphia Mint specimens lack mint mark.

Located on reverse between letter 'E' in 'ONE' and the base of the olive branch.

1942 mercury dimes