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CHECK your change, because a 10-cent coin sold for far more than its face value at an auction in 2019.
The dime raked in a whopping $156,000 thanks to its date and a rare detail on the coin’s reverse.
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The 1919 Mercury dime was minted in Denver and sold for over $150,000 through Heritage Auctions in January 2019.
Also called a Winged Liberty Head Dime, the coin’s obverse features the head of Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap.
This design symbolizes freedom of thought.
The portrait is often mistaken as being the Roman god Mercury, which is why the coin is commonly called the “Mercury Dime.”
The dime’s reverse depicts olive branches, which represent peace.
Also etched into the design is a fasces, or bundle of rods with an axe blade.
It is an ancient Roman symbol that signifies unity and strength.
One of the reasons the Mercury dime auctioned for so much is due to the clarity of its fasces.
The coin was designated as having Full Bands, a term that refers to the horizontal bands on the fasces.
Coins must illustrate full separation and clarity in these bands to receive the designation.
The dime was particularly well-struck, which is rare for coins from the 1919 Denver Mint.
Many such coins were not struck sharply, resulting in weak details.
SHINY FORTUNE
Several other factors contributed to the high evaluation of the 1919 dime, including its condition and rarity.
Nearly 10 million 1919 Mercury dimes were minted in Denver and most of these coins were circulated heavily.
A majority of these coins were not preserved well, especially in a high grade with a well-defined strike.
The dime that sold at auction was a rare exception with its Full Bands denotation and Mint State 66 grading.
The coin’s high grade means it was uncirculated and in near-perfect condition with no signs of wear from handling.
How coins are graded
Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the poorest grade, and 70 being the most pristine example.
Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought-after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.
Pieces that fetch thousands at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 conditions.
An MS-70 is near-impossible to find among older coins.
Only five examples of these specific dimes are certified by PCGS, and none are graded higher.
Additionally, the dime’s date contributed to its high sale value.
The 1919-D dime is especially sought after by collectors, as it is rare in high grades and a key date for Mercury dimes.
You may be holding on to another rare coin in your pocket change.
Check out these four rare nickels worth up to $3.7 million.
Plus, a quarter from 1806 is worth $58,750 at auction – a “missing serif” error on the front makes it so valuable.
