1942 Mercury Dime Overdates

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Collecting Nut, Jun 1, 2026 at 5:02 PM.

  1. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Here are my 1942 and 1942-D Mercury Dimes that display overdates. The dimes have increased in value very nicely. But first, welcome to my 79,000 likes celebration. I’m showing these in honor of that number. Thanks to all who have made that a reality.
    Here’s the Philadelphia version, which is easy to see. The 1 clearly shows its entire length on the left side of the 2.
    IMG_1317.jpeg IMG_1327.jpeg IMG_1328.jpeg
    Here’s the 1942-D, the Denver mint issue. It’s much more difficult to see and with a camera on a cell phone it’s even harder. I took about 30 photos just to get these. The overdate shows below the crossbar on the 4, on the left side of the upright column on the 4. In hand it’s visible without a magnifying glass. It may show better with a glass for you to view.
    The two over one over date error occurred when a working eye initially intended for 1941 was inadvertently reuse for 1942 production. As a result, parts of the one are visible beneath the two in the date. Overrated coins are highly sought after varieties by today’s collectors.
    Over dates occurred because of the cost of making a new die. The over dates were made by re-punching the current year into the die of an earlier year. With newer 20th century technology re-punching dies, became unnecessary. But some over dies were still created. The most valuable and most sought after of 20th century over dates are the mercury dimes. These occurred in 1942 over one at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.
    It should be noted, but the Philadelphia version was found very quickly. That made high-grade examples easier to find. The Denver version was found a little later. The Error is visible to the naked eye, so it was easily spotted.
    If an error, it’s not too scarce it becomes more popular and less expensive. Therefore, the Level Of coverage and interest is higher. The publicity and attention the error receives creates a wider audience.
    An example is the 42/41 Philadelphia version was easily found in the New York subway hoard which was purchased by Littleton coin company in the 1990s.
    Here is the Denver version which is much harder to see.
    IMG_1329.jpeg IMG_1337.jpeg IMG_1340.jpeg
     
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  3. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Here’s Another 1941/1942D take it from a different angle. The date might be a little easier for some to see. IMG_1338.jpeg
    And here’s both the Philadelphia and Denver versions with Philadelphia being on top in both photos below. IMG_1344.jpeg IMG_1345.jpeg
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.

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