From what I know there aren't any die varieties for the 1916D and '16P/S. It is likely to be a D mintmark however. Usually on S mintmarks you can see a bit of the serif on the S. From these pics I don't see anything like that.
Hey Randy, Just to be even MORE of a tease, take a look at the PCGS population report for Mercury 1916-D's. PCGS has seen their share of these in your condition and possibly lower - AND they have made the determination, graded, and authenticated. I would send it in. Low risk, huge reward if it is . . . . . Highlighted below are the numbers of certified coins VG-8 and BELOW . . . . Z
There are no die markers that I know of when the 16's get down this low. At least the OP's coin has a "blob" for a mintmark. I found out the reed count is of no help in 1972.
I'd study that blob hard, comparing it to known good examples in low grades. I'd be tempted to send it in, myself -- unless @Insider or someone at his level could tell me there was no point.
I bought a full blue Whitman folder of mercs with every slot filled... The folder had wicked up water from the bottom about half way up so I only paid 10x face value. I took all the dimes out and put them in a ziploc bag for storage, how long do I have to let the 1916 sit before the S appears?
Dang, YB..... You may have just pushed me over the edge. I reckon I may have to roll the dice and give a submission a try.
What do you have to lose besides postage. If PCGS cannot decide they don't charge. I'd recommend ANACS over PCGS or NGC. Cheaper, faster.
There isn't much to lose especially if you sub it to anacs. If you do end up submitting let us know the results please
Just thought I would update. This dime is on it's way to ANACS now. I will update once I get the results.
Wut, what? What does that mean? They have no idea? Send it to @Insider for his evaluation . . . . . Z
Randy Abercrombie, posted: "And the decision has been rendered....." So let's see, the coin was in the mail mid-September and you got it back sometime in November... I guess the Thanksgiving Holiday slowed it down... Perhaps they took a Labor Day Break. It's really lucky you didn't need to beat a two week return policy. The next time, you might consider using some other service where single coins in the cheap tier get pushed through much, much faster. PS At least you know 99% now that it is not a 16-D!