Merc Dime Album - So close but so far...

Three more dimes and I will complete my Merc Dime collection! 1916-D of course, and 1921-D and 1926-S. All the hard to find dates (Well actually five, if you count the 42/41 and the 45 micro s)

I love Merc dimes and I've been trying to fill the album as much as I could this past year, especially with trading on Numista and on here. I'm planning on going to a coin shop in July, and hopefully they will have the dates I need nicely priced

I will let you guys know when the collection is finished, thanks to everyone who helped! (shoutout @tibor)

 

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I would strongly suggest only purchasing the 1916-D slabbed; far too many stories of added mint marks and alterations for my taste.

 

Agree with that.

 

@Matthew Kruse Very nice set.

 

Anyone know the explanation for why the mint made so many of the other marks, but only 264,000 of the 'D' ? Jes' curious

 

I really like that library of coins album! I have several myself with the Merc album my second set

 

I had a friend run across a blue whitman merk dime holder.
He texted me a picture and asked what it was worth as the person was looking to sell.
The picture clearly showed water damage but the coin book was full...yup full.
Lots of honest wear coins and the interesting part was the key dates were turned backwards.
I figured spot price for dimes and asked how much?
The seller was looking for $60.
I told him sure that's a good gamble and to pick it up.

When I got it in hand, the filled key date slots were random merks and NOT the correct dates.
Good thing I didn't pay a premium.

I may still have a 45 micro s in the lot.

 

Maybe WWI had something to do with it? Not sure, good question!

 

Your set is looking amazing! I love the circulation look, it really pulls it together. Now, I say we explore deeper down the rabbit hole. Maybe add in a trumpet S, broken nose variety, let along all the small and large mint mark varieties....you know...just a thought! Truly though, good work and keep it up!

 

A full book? A rough estimate but I think that’s around $175 melt value.

 

The story begins in late 1915 when the director of the mint stopped Denver from making dimes in 1916 to fill a massive order for the Barber Quarters. By the time the Denver got the dies, fitted them with the D mint mark, and started production of the dimes, it was December 29, 1916. Only a couple days to make those dimes compared to all year with the other two mints. Needless to say, product was limited.

Add national attention...there was none! People didn't collect by date and mint mark, so having a 1916 dime was enough. Popularity with this type of collecting didn't peak by 1930's. The 1916 D dime was circulating for nearly 20 years since this time and was quite worn. Sort of adds a perfect storm for why so few were produced/saved in comparison.

 

Mercury Dimes are one of my favorites. I have a full set except the over date. My 16D is the only coin I have in a slab. My set is all as found in circulation. The 16D I had to purchase. You just couldn't find them. The group of school kids I collaborated with was really into 41 micro S. They were hot trade items. Here is my 41 micro S, the only one I ever found.

 

Full book Whitman Mercury Dime Folder (1916-1945)
78 coins at the going rate back then less making it worth my time. ($60 gamble)
Some of the dimes were pretty thin, but in silver the spot price has probably gone up 50%.
I pulled the coins out, put them in a plastic tube and pitched the waterlogged whitman folder.

 

I started collecting these Mercs 50+ years ago.... I would buy a slabbed 16-D.

 

I collect in a little different way than most folks. I don't mind a missing coin in a set. It's just not important. Even in a lower grade the 16-D is a lot of money. Just didn't have to own one.

 

A pet peeve of mine, why do the album makers have holes for error coins? They should be separate, maybe a error page we could insert into the album if we want? Albums should be regular issues of circulated coins only. Keep the rest separate (errors, proof, silver proof, reverse proof, W mint marks that come with proof sets only, etc).

 

If you're going to a shop, you might want to call ahead, tell them what you're looking for, and your budget. They may be able to get it for you for when you go.

If you typo'd, and that's supposed to be show, nevermind, as what you're looking for will most likely be there.

 

Have you all seen the prices of 1916-D dimes lately? In the past month they have nearly DOUBLED. Don’t look at price guides. Look at sold examples in Fair, AG, Good, and VG.

 

Yes they have i think i have better odds digging one out of the ground!!!lol not buying one any time soon.

 

$600+ in G condition… Just my luck