The 1927 mercury dime is a valuable and highly sought-after coin by collectors.
This silver coin was minted during a time of great change in the United States of America – the country was entering the roaring twenties and experiencing rapid growth. So, you can imagine the historical significance.
Another factor that increases the dime’s demand is its iconic Liberty portrait. Weinman crafted the side image of a lady with a winged cap on her head. It’s why some people refer to the 1927 mercury dime as the winged liberty head dime.
Collectors, who have this coin in well-preserved states, can sell it for premium value. If you wish to do the same, this 1927 mercury dime value guide is a must-read. We will discuss all the different varieties, errors, history, grading, and much more.
Let’s dive in!
1927 Mercury Dime Value Details
- Category: Mercury Dimes
- Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
- Mintage: 37,662,000
- Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Reverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 2.5g
- ASW: 0.0723oz
Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money
1927 Mercury Dime Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Extremely Fine | MS-60 | MS-67+ |
| 1927 (P) No Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value | $3 | $5 to $8 | $40 | $1,100 to $7,500 |
| 1927 “D” Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value | $3 to $5 | $95 | $200 to $300 | $16,000+ |
| 1927 “S” Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value | $3.25 | $28 | $200 | $11,000+ |
1927 Mercury Dime Value and Varieties
1927 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime
- Type: Mercury Dimes
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: No Mint Mark
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1927
- Face Value: $0.10
- Price: $3 to $7,500+
- Quantity Produced: 28,080,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper
- Mass: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.8mm
The 1927 mercury dimes minted at the Philadelphia facility are the most common and easiest ones to find. You can identify them by the lack of a mint mark on the reverse side. Just flip the coin and look beside the letter E of the word ONE.
But, since these coins were largely produced for business activity, finding a 1927 P mercury dime in a well-preserved or uncirculated state is difficult. The usual ones are worn out, scratched, and completely faded.
Their values are between $1 to $3. However, a coin in extremely fine condition can sell for as much as $8. You can make hundreds if there are a handful of these coins. With that said, mercury dimes in higher grades are worth over a thousand dollars.
In 2018, a 1927 no-mint mark mercury dime graded MS-64 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) sold for $10,800 in a Heritage Auctions sale. This coin had a strong luster, pronounced details, and overall great appeal.
Another dime graded MS-66 by PCGS sold for $21,000 in a 2019 Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction. However, the highest record is of the MS-66 mercury dime that was sold for $36,000 in a Heritage Auction event!
1927 “S” Mint Mark Mercury Dime
- Type: Mercury Dimes
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: S
- Place of Minting: San Francisco
- Year of Minting: 1927
- Face Value: $0.10
- Price: $3 to $11,000+
- Quantity Produced: 4,770,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper
- Mass: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.8mm
The San Francisco mint produced over 4 million mercury dimes in 1927, but finding one in excellent condition is a challenge. It’s particularly true if the coin has not been cleaned or otherwise altered.
On average, the worth of a 1927 S mercury dime is between $3.25 to $5. An extremely fine coin can fetch a price of up to $28. However, if you go for uncirculated or mint state dimes, expect four to six-figure values.
Such coins have a clean appearance with great luster and no significant damage. So, collectors are willing to pay 10x the usual value. For example, a 1927 “S” mint mark mercury dime graded MS-65 by PCGS sold for $1,800 in a 2019 GreatCollections auction.
In January 2021, another one was auctioned for $24,000 at a Heritage Auction. This specimen was graded MS-66 by PCGS. So, it was almost near perfection but not perfect. You can still find scratches and marks under a magnifying glass.
The most well-maintained 1927 S mint mark mercury dime to exist was graded MS-67. Its original shine was intact and the surface was damage-free. In 2008, a collector bought it for a whopping $63,250 at an auction!
1927 “D” Mint Mark Mercury Dime
- Type: Mercury Dimes
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: D
- Place of Minting: Denver
- Year of Minting: 1927
- Face Value: $0.10
- Price: $3 to $16,000+
- Quantity Produced: 4,812,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper
- Mass: 2.5g
- Diameter: 17.8mm
The 1927 D mercury dime is another high-interest coin in the series. The “D” mint mark denotes that the coin was minted in Denver, Colorado. While a significant number of mercury dimes were minted there in 1927, this particular variety is still considered highly valuable.
Its worth can vary depending on the condition and rarity, much like the 1927 “S” and no mint mark varieties. However, in general, an uncirculated 1927 “D” mint mark mercury dime in great condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.
For example, in 2020, a 1927 D mint mark mercury dime graded MS-65 by PCGS sold for $1,920 in a GreatCollections auction. In 2021, another 1927 D mercury dime (MS-67) was auctioned for $17,038 in a Heritage Auction.
Please note that MS-70 is the absolute state of perfection. The coin is in exceptional condition with powerful luster and sharp details. If you find a 1927 D mercury dime in this grade, its value can exceed way more than $17,000.
However, it’s important to consult a professional coin appraiser or research from multiple sources to make informed selling and buying decisions. There are several online sellers who scam people by producing realistic replicas.
1927 Mercury Dime History
In 1916, the Mercury Dime series was introduced as a replacement for the Barber Dime. This project was led by Robert W. Woolley – the director of the US Mint.
Initially, Robert assigned the role of coin designer to the chief engraver William Barber. He came up with some sketches that were submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts. However, the Commission disapproved of all of the sketches.
Then, Robert selected the sculptors Adolph A. Weinman, Albin Polasek, and Hermon MacNeil. They were asked to submit sketches for the new dime. Robert particularly instructed them to craft unique and thoughtful designs.
His intent was to make the dime, quarter, and half-dollar coin distinct. Once the sketches were ready, the commission reviewed them and shortlisted Weinman.
He was a renowned sculptor and medalist. His design featured a profile of Liberty with wings on her cap, symbolizing the freedom of thought. Meanwhile, the reverse side featured a Roman fasces and an olive branch that symbolizes strength and peace.
It’s said that the lady in the portrait was the wife of his neighbor Wallace Stevens. They were great friends and Weinman had rented one of his apartments to Wallace. But Weinman never confirmed this information.
This Mercury dime series ran from 1916 to 1945, and over the years, the design underwent some changes. However, the 1927 Mercury dime stands out as a particularly significant coin due to its connection to a time of great economic prosperity and social change in America.
The 1927 Mercury dime production was done at three different locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Philadelphia mint produced the largest quantity, with 26,023,000 dimes minted. The San Francisco mint produced 9,674,000 dimes. Lastly, the Denver mint produced only 7,579,000 dimes, making it the lowest mintage of the three.
Due to its relatively low mintage numbers, finding one in excellent condition can be difficult. When they do come up for sale, they can fetch a high price. In fact, the 1927-S Mercury dime is considered one of the rarest of the series, and a well-preserved example can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Other rarities are also highly sought-after by collectors.
1927 Mercury Dime Grading
Before you buy an antique coin, it’s highly important to assess the grade. It’s because the grade tells a lot about the condition of the coin and affects its value.
For example, while a 1927 mercury dime in good condition costs $3, the same coin in mint state is worth $30. That is a 10x difference!
Here are some common grades used for a 1927 mercury dime:
- Good: This specimen is considerably worn out. It has a scratched surface and the portrait is hardly visible.
- Extremely Fine: The coin wasn’t circulated for a long time, which explains minimal damage. All of the inscriptions and images are present in detail. However, the original luster has faded.
- Uncirculated: As the term suggests, these mercury dimes were not used in commercial activities. They retain much of their original shine, and the details are vivid. Most people also refer to this as a mint state coin (or MS).
Check out this amazing video to learn more about the 1927 mercury dime grading!
List of 1927 Mercury Dime Errors
1. 1927 Mercury Dime Full Bands
The reverse side of a 1927 mercury dime features a Roman fascia that is wrapped in bands. It’s found on all dimes, though only rare specimens exhibit a full separation of the vertical bands on the fascia.
This is not an error, but a rarity. We say this because clearly defined bands are a sign of a well-struck coin, and all mercury dimes should have had this quality. However, at the time of manufacturing, dirty machinery, and insufficient strikes made it impossible to produce coins of that quality.
Only a few coins were struck with sharp and perfect lines. Hence, a 1927 mercury dime (full bands) has a value in thousands of dollars. In 2006, a full band mercury dime with a D mint mark and MS-66 grade was auctioned for $35,075!
2. 1927 Mercury Dime Double Die
A double die is a common error in old US coins. It occurred when the die struck the coin twice with slight misalignment. So, you will also find a 1927 mercury dime with this error.
The dime will typically have a doubled date or inscription on the obverse side. In rare cases, the liberty portrait might be printed twice too. These coins will have a value between $500 to $1000 at MS-60+ grade.
3. 1927 Mercury Dime Repunched Mintmark
Many people confuse a repunched mintmark error with a double die. Although both involve striking the coin twice, note that the repunched mint mark error does not affect the rest of the design. It refers to the distortion of D or P on the coin only.
If a coin has a misaligned portrait and mintmark, we will say that the coin has two errors; double die and repunched mintmark. But that’s a very rare find and can sell for thousands.
4. 1927 Mercury Dime Planchet Defects
Several 1927 mercury dimes can be found with the planchet error. Either the planchet will be cracked, or bent, or it will have lamination flaws. All of these are highly sought-after by collectors in the open market.
1927 Mercury Dime FAQs
How much is a 1927 Mercury Dime worth?
The exact worth of a 1927 mercury dime depends on the condition and rarity. Typically, circulated coins sell for $3 to $25. However, uncirculated or mint-state coins have a value of more than $1,000.
Where is the mint mark on the 1927 Mercury Dime?
The mint mark is present on the reverse side of a 1927 mercury dime. You can find a small S or D located opposite the inscription In God We Trust. Please note that the Philadelphia coin variant will have no mint mark.
How much silver is in a 1927 dime?
A 1927 mercury dime has 90% silver and 10% copper in its composition. Dimes that are in very bad condition are often sold for their melt value, which is around $2.