How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

I have a bunch of these things I've bought for melt. The mercury dimes are in great shape, you can see both bands on the bladed torch thingy on the reverse, mostly early 40's but some late 20's and a scattering of 30's. The Barber dimes are much more worn, but not slicks. On most of them you can make out the front rim, dates, the hair ribbon and the wreath or whatever you call it in her hair. Dates range from the 1900's to the 1910's.

I buy these because I think they're beautiful coins and I'm paying a good price on them, not likely to sell any time soon but I was just wondering what interest, demand or value might be associated with them.

Re: How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

I don't know how much premium over melt you're going to get, but I definately prefer the older stuff simply because you don't have to look at the date to know it's silver.

Re: How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

Back when Silver was $5 an ounce.....

Mercs went for 0.60-cents each and 0.75-cents at coin shows.

Barbers went for $1.00 to $1.50 each at coin shows.

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Re: How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

Mercury dimes tend to pull a premium over Roosevelts in junk silver auctions on Ebay, which says they're indeed more valuable, because they contain slightly less silver due to wear.

I think the Mercury dime is the most beautiful coin I have ever seen. It is, well, two-faced, though. Liberty, with winged hair, symbolizes freedom of thought on the front, while the fasces on the back represent state authority.

There are quite a few of them floating around. I was surprised to find that a $1000 face bag of junk dimes I had ordered was all Mercs. I'd sell all the other 90% and ingots without batting an eye -- calm down everyone: at the right price -- but I would be tempted to hang on to the Mercs forever.

Re: How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

Yeah ive liked Mercs since ive seen em. Over the years ive bought mercs and barbs usually AU or above condition,there great cause they dont take much space or weight and to complete a set isnt too hard over time id assume if someone wished to do that.

Re: How Desirable Are Merc and Barber Dimes?
 

I'd think the 1916D and 42/41 over date on the mercs would kill most, including my sorry butt.

MT Silver