1921 Dimes Winged Liberty Head or Mercury ANACS AG-3

Discover the historical significance and enduring appeal of this 1921 Winged Liberty Head Dime, also widely known as the Mercury Dime. Graded by ANACS as AG-3 (About Good 3), this authentic American silver coin offers collectors a genuine piece of early 20th-century numismatic history at an accessible entry point.

The Winged Liberty Head Dime was minted by the United States Mint from 1916 through 1945. Designed by renowned sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, the obverse features a striking portrait of Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, which led to the popular nickname "Mercury Dime" due to its resemblance to the Roman god Mercury. This particular specimen was struck at the Denver Mint in 1921, a year that saw notably lower mintages across several denominations, making these coins especially desirable to numismatists.

Despite showing the moderate wear consistent with an AG-3 grade, this 1921 Mercury Dime retains enough detail to clearly display the major design elements. The date, mint mark, and primary features remain visible, providing an affordable way for collectors to own a key date from the Mercury Dime series. The coin exhibits the classic silvery-gray toning often found on circulated examples from this era, with areas of darker patina adding to its vintage character.

Collectors and investors alike appreciate the Winged Liberty Head Dime for both its artistic beauty and its silver content. Each coin contains 90% silver and 10% copper, offering both numismatic value and intrinsic precious metals worth. This 1921-D example represents an important date in the series, as the Denver Mint produced significantly fewer dimes in 1921 compared to surrounding years.

Coin Specifications

• Year: 1921
• Mint: Denver (D Mint Mark)
• Denomination: 10 Cents (One Dime)
• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
• Actual Silver Weight: 0.0723 Troy Ounces
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Weight: 2.5 grams
• Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
• Edge: Reeded
• Grading Service: ANACS
• Grade: AG-3 (About Good 3)
• Country: United States of America

Historical Background

The Winged Liberty Head Dime was introduced in 1916 as part of a major redesign of American coinage during the early 20th century. Adolph Weinman's elegant design replaced the long-running Barber Dime and immediately captured public attention with its bold, neoclassical imagery. The obverse shows Liberty in a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought, while the reverse features a fasces (bundle of rods) and olive branch, representing strength through unity and peace.

1921 proved to be a particularly interesting year for the Mercury Dime series. The Denver Mint struck only 1,230,000 examples, creating one of the lower mintage dates in the series. This relatively small production figure has made the 1921-D a semi-key date that many collectors seek to complete their Mercury Dime sets. The coin circulated extensively during the prosperous 1920s and the challenging years of the Great Depression, meaning most surviving examples show moderate to heavy wear.

ANACS, one of the most respected third-party grading services in the numismatic industry, has certified this coin as AG-3. At this grade level, the coin displays heavy but even wear with the major design elements still distinguishable. The date and mint mark remain legible, and the overall outline of Liberty and the reverse motifs are clear. For beginning and intermediate collectors, an AG-3 example provides an affordable way to add this scarce date to their collection without the significant premium commanded by higher-grade specimens.

Whether you're building a date-and-mintmark set of Mercury Dimes, starting a collection of early 20th-century American silver coins, or simply looking to acquire a tangible piece of U.S. history with precious metal content, this 1921-D Winged Liberty Head Dime represents an excellent choice. Each coin has been carefully examined and encapsulated by ANACS, ensuring authenticity and providing peace of mind for collectors and investors.

The combination of historical importance, beautiful Weinman design, silver content, and scarcity makes the 1921 Mercury Dime a perennial favorite among numismatists. Add this authentic piece of American coinage to your collection today and own a small but significant part of United States history.